The Most Rev. John Baptist Attakruh, the newly ordained Catholic Bishop of Ghana’s Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese, has reminded Catholics in the West African country that the call to serve is a gift from God.
He made the call when he delivered the homily during his maiden Mass on Sunday, September 26, 2021 at the Star of the Sea Cathedral in Takoradi after his Ordination and Installation as the fifth Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi.
“My happiness will be to discover that every day, I am there serving your needs”, he said. He called on the faithful to open their hearts to serve; to serve our brothers and sisters because Christ loves those who serve, not those who are served. His call to serve the faithful in various capacities include; proclaiming the Gospel of the Christ, celebrating the sacraments, loving you, learning from you and caring for those in need”.
Bishop Attakruh used the celebration of his maiden Mass to call on the faithful not to sit on the fence and be mere observers but to be fully engaged as they seek to lay the foundation for the next jubilee celebration of the Diocese. He promised to be a brother and father because together we all share the great task of spreading the good news of God’s love.
The newly installed bishop also explained his episcopal motto, “Strengthen Your Brethren”. He said, First and foremost, I want to be seen as someone who empowers others. Second, as someone who rekindles apostolic joy in order to overcome all types of apathy and paralysis. The joy of the gospel that never fades in the face of adversity is known as apostolic joy. The apostolic joy is a sign of the Church’s love and unity. It’s also an indication that the Church is becoming more powerful. God isn’t a sad God, to be sure. We are Easter people, and our song is Alleluia.
He added that as the body of Christ, we cannot allow apathy to fester. The Bishop, connected this to the day’s readings, saying that God’s word encourages us to retain an open mind and accept unity in diversity. “Let our differences not divide us,” reminding us that “God’s gifts aren’t intended for specific people and Numbers 11:25-29 clearly shows that God’s gifts are not limited to a single group of people”.
Bishop Attakruh cautioned the congregation against the sin of jealousy, which chokes out Prophetic words. It only succeeds in causing dissatisfaction and dividing people. Jesus teaches his disciples tolerance and acceptance in Mark 9:38ff of the Gospel. As a result, Jesus advised us to seek out those who had God’s spirit and talent. People who are already attempting to live excellent lives should not be subjected to undue stress.
Addressing the Priests and the Religious, Bishop Attakruh quoted Revelation 2:1-7, ” to the Church of Ephesus, I know your works and tools but you have abandoned the love you had at first”. And admonished them to always remember their first love for their vocation. What initially motivated them to respond to the call of God. As Priests and Religious we should not lose the energy of our first love for our vocation.
Speaking to the faithful Bishop Attakruh quoted Revelation 3:14-22- ‘ to the church of Laodicea, I know your works, you’re neither cold nor hot and because of that I will spit you from my mouth’. He said, in this era the faithful cannot be lukewarm because being lukewarm is the opposite of bearing witness which is the core mandate of all Christians. You therefore need to be committed in your married life, family life and workplace. Again, you should be committed to the values of the Kingdom of God, selfless sacrifice, love, peace and charity.
Present at the thanksgiving Mass were Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp, the Most Rev. Dominic Nyarko Yeboah, the Most Rev. Joseph Francis Kweku Essien, the Most Rev. Peter Kwaku Atuahene, and the Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi together with a number of Priests and Religious from the Diocese and other Dioceses in Ghana.
