A joyous welcome was offered to the Bishop- elect of Wa, Msgr. Francis Bomansaan, M.Afr. into the Diocese on July 5, 2024 amidst jubilation, drumming and dancing.
As a tradition, he was presented with a calabash of water and bouquet of flowers after which the Clergy, Religious and the lay faithful accompanied him in convoy into the St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Wa.
At the entrance of the Cathedral, the Bishop-elect received a crucifix and kissed it and sprinkled Holy water on himself and the people and proceeded into the Cathedral where the Blessed Sacrament was exposed for some time before the word of God was read to the people.
Reflecting the word of God from 1 Cor.11:23-26, the Diocesan Administrator, Very Rev. Fr. Cornelius Naah Bayirinoba recounted the institution of the Holy Eucharist with Jesus as the actor in all the seven Sacraments.
Relating the gathering of the people of God to welcome the Bishop-Elect, Fr. Bayirinoba said Bishops are ordained to be the president of the Eucharist, for that matter all the Eucharist sacrifices in the one local church are usually linked to that of the Chief Shepherd that is the Bishop.
This, he said, “shows the key place of the Bishop in every local Church and nobody needs to tell you the role the bishop’s play.”
He told the people of God that the Bishop-Elect had come home among his fold to build the Church but he could only do so with their co-operation.
He, therefore called on the Clergy, Religious and laity extend their unflinching support to the Bishop-Elect.
Bishop-elect Bomansaan acknowledged and appreciated the warm welcome, saying that “The jubilation and the joy in the faces of the people has given me some peace.”
He said when he was asked to choose an Episcopal motto what came to his mind was the Annunciation. So he said “I put myself totally, wholeheartedly into your hands.”
He said it is his desire to serve his people wholeheartedly and with all his mind.
He acknowledged his four predecessor bishops and assured the people of God to continue their good works.
He added “the way we will continue from there, for myself, I would like to listen to my brother Priests who have been working here for the Diocese, I would like to listen to my brothers and sisters who are Religious in this Diocese.”
He stated: “From this Diocese, I would like to listen to all the lay groups in the Diocese, I would like to listen to the youth and the difference children groups so that we can identify together the needs we have, needs that will help us develop and grow in our faith and in the Diocese.”
According to him, “We will work together after we have identify together our needs and what we need to do to help each other to grow in our faith and for the development of our Diocese.”
The Bishop-elect said he is open to any correction from anybody and help that will help us work together. He told the people not to be afraid and not to shy away because he will not shy away.
He thanked the people for their love and support shown him, adding that their presence is the beginning of working together and asked God blessings upon all the people.
Sr. Gloria Duongnaa, SMI (Sister Communicator)
