The Catholic University of Ghana, Fiapre, in the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani (Bono Region), on 1st October 2025, celebrated the Mass of the Holy Spirit to officially inaugurate the 2025/2026 academic year.
The solemn Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by the Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani and President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference and concelebrated by other priests Faculty members and students.
In his homily, Bishop Gyamfi emphasized the significance of the Mass of the Holy Spirit, explaining that the Holy Spirit embodies all that the University seeks to uphold. He highlighted some of the titles of the Holy Spirit, including Sophia (Wisdom), Counsel, the Paraclete, and True Knowledge.
Reflecting on the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans (12:1–8), he introduced the concept of two forms of AI: Artificial Intelligence and “Ancient Intelligence”. According to him, both are gifts from the Holy Spirit and become most beneficial when blended intelligently. While acknowledging the immense contributions of Artificial Intelligence to studies and research, he cautioned against overreliance on it, urging students instead to seek “Ancient Intelligence” or the Holy Spirit as the unfailing source of wisdom and knowledge.
Further more the Bishop encouraged the university body to observe Sacred Hour on campus dedicated solely to Prayer and the Study of the Word of God. He emphasized that while academic work and research may become outdated, the Word of God remains ever outstanding, reminding them that prayer remains the strength of man and the ‘weakness of God’.
He encouraged the students to evaluate their progress at the end of each semester and to consistently seek divine guidance. He stressed that without Ancient Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence loses its true value. “Wisdom is a virtue, while Artificial Intelligence is a gift to serve others,” he remarked, encouraging students to pray for both intelligence and wisdom. Concluding his homily, Bishop Gyamfi exhorted the University community to direct their thoughts toward what is true, honorable, pure, holy, and praiseworthy.
This year’s Mass was particularly historic as it was celebrated for the first time in the University’s Pavilion, according to Rev. Fr. Stephen Ebo Annan, Ph.D., Chaplain and Lecturer at the University. The occasion also marked the first Eucharistic celebration with the newly appointed Vice Chancellor, Prof. Matthew Glover Addo.
The vice Chancellor earlier in his welcome address expressed his appreciation to the Bishop for his support to the university during their financial distress and the role he played in the donation of a coaster bus by MIVA Austria, to the university.
The day which happened to be the independence day of the country Nigeria, also gave the Nigerian students the opportunity to respectively sing and recite their national anthem and pledge after which they were blessed by the Bishop.
The immediate former IMCS Pax executives of Catholic Students also donated a new monstrance to the chaplaincy and was blessed by Bishop Gyamfi after he used it for the Final benediction.
There was a fundraising in support of the University’s chapel project by the Chaplain Rev. Fr. Ebo Annan.
By Sr. Esther Kutie, SVI (Sister Communicator)
