The Clergy and lay faithful of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra are the most happiest people as the Holy Father, Pope Francis has gifted two Priests to the Church as Auxiliary Bishops, Msgr. John Kobina Louis and Msgr. Anthony Narh Asare.
The announcement of the appointments of the two Auxiliary Bishops was made in Rome on February 14, 2023 and simultaneously in Accra by the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, His Excellency, the Most Rev. Henryk Mieczyslaw Jagodzinski at the Holy Spirit Cathedral at Adabraka.
Present at the announcement were the Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSPs, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra and scores of Priests, Religious and lay faithful.
Until their appointments, Msgr. Louis was the Vicar General of Accra and Msgr. Asare was the parish Priest of Ss. Anne and Joachim at Teshie, Accra
As Auxiliary Bishops of Accra, Msgr. Louis has been assigned to the Titular Seat of Fessei (Fesselanus), pr Numidia while Msgr. Asare has been assigned to the Titular seat of Castello di Numidia (Castellanus in Numidia).
Profile of Bishop-Elect Louis
Bishop-Elect Louis was ordained on July 18, 1992. From 2019 until his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop, he was the Vicar General, Accra Archdiocese. From 2016 to 2020, he was the Spiritual Director for Handmaids of the Divine Redeemer Sisters, Generalate Community, Accra.
From 2014 to 2020, he was the Academic Dean and Lecturer at the Catholic Institute of Business and Technology (CIBT), Accra and from 2017 to 2018, the Acting President, CIBT.
The Bishop-Elect from 2008 to 2014 was a part-time lecturer at the Department of Religious Studies and Church Administration at CIBT.
From 2006 to 2012, he was the Administrator of the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Accra and from 2010 to 2011, the Acting Head, Department of Religious Studies and Church Administration at CIBT.
He was an Associate Cathedral Administrator, Holy Spirit Cathedral, Accra from 2004 to 2006 while from 1998 to 2002, he was the Spiritual Director of the Handmaids of the Divine Redeemer Sisters, Christ the King Community, Accra.
He worked as the Parish Priest of the St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Tema from 1998 to 2002 and from 1997 to 2002 as the Director of the Accra Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre.
From 1996 to 2002, he was the Financial Administrator of Accra Archdiocese and from 1995 to 1998, the Priest-in-charge of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, Tema.
From 1992 to 1995, he was the Assistant Parish Priest, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Tema and responsible for the outstations: St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, Tema; St. Peter’s Church, Tema New Town; and St. Michael’s Church, Michel Camp.
From 1985 to 1986, he did his National Service as Laboratory Technician at Ghana Water and Sewerage Corporation (now Ghana Water Company), Mile 4, Accra
The Bishop-Elect Louis has a rich academic profile. From October, 2010 to June, 2014, he did his PhD in Study of Religions at University of Ghana, Legon.
From September, 2002 to June, 2004, he his STL (Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology, at the Pontificia Universitas Urbaniana, Rome. From April, 1996 to May, 1996, he did a certificate course in Financial Management and Budgeting, at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Accra.
From September, 1988 to June, 1991, he studied BA in Religious Studies and Sociology, University of Ghana; September, 1986 to June, 1992, Ecclesiastical Studies, St. Peter’s Regional Seminary, Pedu; September, 1978 to June, 1985, GCE O-Level and A-Level, St. Augustine’s College, Cape Coast and from September, 1970 to June, 1978, R.C. Basic School, Nima, Accra.
Bishop-Elect Louis is a member of many Councils, Boards, Associations and Committees.
Since 2019, he has been a member of the College of Consultors, Archdiocese of Accra; from 2006, member, Council of Priests, Archdiocese of Accra; from 2017 to 2020 Member, Governing Council of CIBT; 2016 to 2020, President, Society of Catholic Social Scientists (Ghana Chapter); and from 2015 to 2020 Chairman, Faculty Board, CIBT.
From 2015 to 2020, he was Chairman, Examination Committee, CIBT; 2014 to 2020 Chairman, Congregation Planning Committee, CIBT; 2010 to2020. member, Academic Board, CIBT; 2017 to 2018 Acting Chairman, Academic Board, CIBT; 2017 to 2018 Acting Chairman, Management Committee, CIBT; 2017 to 2018 Chairman, Academic Quality Assurance Committee, CIBT; and from 2015-2018 Chairman, Graduate Programme Management Committee, CIBT
He was a member of Interim Management Committee, CIBT from 2015 to 2016; President, National Union of Ghana Diocesan Priests’ Associations from 2007- 2011
From 2006 to 2014, he was a member, College of Consultors, Archdiocese of Accra; 2006 to 2010, Chairman, Archdiocesan Catechetical Committee, Accra; 2005 to 2010 member, Board of Directors, Millennium Guest House Ltd (Holy Spirit Cathedral), Adabraka; 2003 to 2004, President, Ecclesiastical Union of Ghanaian Students in Rome (Italy); 1997 to 2002, member, College of Consultors, Archdiocese of Accra; 1997 to 2002, member, Council of Priests, Archdiocese of Accra; 1996 to 2002 Financial Secretary, National Union of Ghana Diocesan Priests’ Associations and from 1996 to 2002, member, Board of Directors, Accra Catholic Press (Accra).
Bishop-Elect John Louis has seven publications to his credit. They are John K. Louis (2019) “The Eucharist: A Source and Summit for Environmentally Friendly Development in Rural Ghana”, Proceedings of the 2nd Conference of the Society of Catholic Social Scientists – Ghana Chapter. Pittsburgh: RoseDog Books, pp. 1-19; John K. Louis (2018) The Word in Season and out of Season: Homilies for Sundays and Solemnities – Year C. Accra: Datro Publishers; John K. Louis (2017) The Word in Season and out of Season: Homilies for Sundays and Solemnities – Year B. Accra: Datro Publishers.
The rest are: George Ossom-Batsa & John K. Louis (2017). “Church as Family of God: An African Ecclesiological Model under Scrutiny”. Rome: University of Urbaniana Journal; John K. Louis (2016) The Word in Season and out of Season: Homilies for Sundays and Solemnities – Year A. Accra: Datro Publishers; John K. Louis (2015): Restructuring for Greater Participation in the Life and Mission of the Church. Accra: Wrenco Press and John K. Louis (2012) The Word in Season and out of Season: A Collection of Homilies. Accra: Wrenco Press.
Unpublished Researches by the Bishop-Elect include: The Catholic Church and State Relations in Ghana: Mutual Teachers and Learners; (2014) PhD Thesis: “The Reception of the Ecclesiology of Vatican Ii: Some Prospects for the Catholic Church in Ghana”; (2004) Licentiate (STL) Degree Thesis: “The Models- Centred Ecclesiology Of Avery Dulles: Some Implications For The Catholic Church In Ghana”; (1991) BA. Degree Long Essay: Leadership in Small Christian Communities.
Profile of Bishop-Elect Asare
Until his appointment on February 14 2023 as Auxiliary Bishop, Msgr. Anthony Asare was the Parish Priest of Ss. Anne and Joachim Parish, Teshie and the Director of Priests’ Personnel of the Accra Archdiocese.
He was ordained a priest on July 22, 1995 for the Clergy of Accra.
Born on December 29, 1965 at Agormanya in the Koforidua Diocese, he studied at the Tema Secondary School where he obtained his GCE O’ level and his A’ level at the Labone Secondary School in Accra.
In 1988, he obtained a certificate in Insurance and Project Management. He had his Ecclesiatical studies and Seminary formation at the St. Paul’s Catholic Seminary, Pedu, Cape Coast. In 1993, he obtained his Diploma in Theology at the University of Ghana, Legon.
He holds Degrees and Certificates including, MA in Management from the Dublin City University (DCU) in Ireland from 2008-2009; MA in Leadership and Pastoral Care fro DCU from 2009 to 2010; Masters in Supervisory Practice (MASP) at DCU from 2010 to 2011; Certificate in Reflective Ministry at All Hallows’ College of DCU in 2012; Certificate in Project Management and Public Relations also at the All Hallows’ College of DCU, Ireland in 2012.
As part of his pastoral works and experiences, from 1995 to 1997, he was the Assistant Priest of Martyrs of Uganda Parish at Mambrobi; Priest-in-charge of Sacred Heart Parish at Derby Avenue from 1997 to 1999; Priest-in-charge of of St. Peter’s Parish, Osu from 1999 to 2004 and Priest-in-charge of St. Maroun’s and St. James, Osu from2004 to 2008; Bursar bursar of the Archdiocese of Accra from 2002 to 2008.
He was the Parish Chaplain of St. Andrews Westland Row, Dublin in Ireland from 2008 to 2012; Priest in Residence at Mary Mother of Good Counsel, Airports West in 2013; Parish Priest of St. Joseph the Worker Parish at Community 8, Tema from 2013 to 2019.
