A Catholic Priest of Ghana’s Keta-Akatsi Diocese has been described as a “hero” for his many activities that had transformed the spirituality of the Catholic faithful and people of Alakple, a town in the Volta Region of the West African country.
Rev. Fr. Mark Akpene Etsey was commended for his immense contribution towards the Spiritual Growth and physical development of the St. Joseph Quasi-Parish at Alakple, where he had served for seven years as Priest-in-charge and Parish Priest.
Some Alakple Catholics who had attended a farewell Mass organised for Fr. Etsey on Sunday, July 4, 2021 made the description.
This is in affirmation to a reported statement made recently by the Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, SVD, Bishop of the Keta-Akatsi Diocese to Fr. Etsey himself: “Fr. Mark, you are Hero of the People of Alakple.
They told Newswatchgh.com in a sample interview at the sideline of the farewell Mass at Alakple that, Fr. Etsey had “a well thought out vision and mission for the spiritual and physical development of the Church and its outstations and it is in order for the Bishop to describe him as a hero”
“He indeed worked assiduously towards achieving his goals,” they stated. According to them he saw to it that liturgical discipline was instilled in the faithful during morning Masses, Sunday Masses or funeral Masses.
“Most importantly, saving the souls of the flock for God has been his ultimate aim and pursuit during his seven years of dedicated service,” they collectively said.
They added, “As a man deeply spiritual, he encouraged all those who came his way to accept that the only means by which one could get closer to God was through persistent prayer, frequent attendance to Mass and reception of Holy Communion.”
The Catholics interviewed told Newswatchgh.com “His achievements have made him not just an outstanding Man of God but have also put St. Joseph Quasi-Parish on the pedestal in the Keta-Akatsi Diocese as a beacon of hope for the Catholic Faithful.”
They expressed joy that the new Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Michael Doe Gardemor, who officially took over the Parish in March 2021 is following the good steps of Fr. Etsey, hence ensuring continuity of work in the Lord’s Vineyard.
The Most Rev. Anthony Kwami Adanuty, Bishop of Keta-Akatsi, now Emeritus, appointed Fr. Mark Etsey as the first Priest-in- Charge of St. Joseph Church on October 31, 2013, and he arrived in Alakple on November 14, 2013.
With the elevation of St. Joseph Church to the status of a Quasi-Parish on October 2, 2017 by the Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, SVD, Fr. Etsey was appointed as the first Parish Priest.
