The Most Rev. Philip Naameh, Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Tamale has described the recent nine-day Pastoral visit to the Archdiocese by the Most. Rev. Henryk Mieczyslaw Jagodzinski, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana as “Apostolic journeys of strengthening the faith of the people of the Archdiocese.”
Preaching at a Mass on February 27 to climax the pastoral visit of the Nuncio at the Our Lady of Annunciation (OLA) Cathedral, Tamale, Archbishop Naameh explained that the Apostolic Nuncio instructed the people in the faith everywhere he went and also gave them the blessings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis.
Highlighting some of the places the Nuncio visited, Archbishop Naameh recounted how at Bakamba, the Pope’s Envoy was installed as a chief with the stool name, Owure Osankpa (Giver of Life) in the Chumburung language.
The Tamale Archbishop also recalled how the Nuncio saw at first hand the pastoral challenges of the Archdiocese such as the bad roads, the heat and scarcity of water especially in rural communities.
Adding, Archbishop Naameh brought to mind that the Nuncio also witnessed the generosity of the chiefs and the ordinary people who had nothing and yet gave everything, describing their gesture as a measure of their faith and the love they had for Pope Francis.
He also thanked the people of God for their resounding welcome accorded the Apostolic Nuncio during his visit.
Focusing on the readings of the day, the 73-year Archbishop entreated the faithful to use the Lenten Season to reform themselves and be humble in order to be found pleasing to God.
He also charged them to bear fruits that would last for the transformation of society anchored on truthfulness and love of neighbour, reminding especially those who had enough wealth to remember to be generous to the plight of the poor and needy to live dignified lives.
About 12 Priests concelebrated the Nuncio’s climax Mass included Very Rev. Frs. Matthew Yitiereh, the Vicar General and Carolus Magnus Gambogi, the Cathedral Administrator. Hundreds of the faithful of the Archdiocese who were dressed in their various colourful societal attires attended the Mass.
In an address, Archbishop Jagodzinski described his visit as, “very significant” and expressed gratitude to the people for their warm welcome and hospitality.
He said it was a joy and honour meeting with Religious, Traditional and Political leaders and thanked them for their collaboration with the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese. He extended to them the fraternal greetings and peace of Pope Francis and his invitation to journey together in a culture of dialogue and mutual cooperation in addressing the humanitarian challenges of our time.
According to the Nuncio, his interactions in the parishes gave him great hope of the foundation of the Catholic faith in the Archdiocese, particularly the year-long activities to climax the 75th anniversary of St. Victor’s Major Seminary, which coincided with his visit.
He thanked Archbishop Naameh and his collaborators for the success of his visit and announced the impartation of Apostolic Blessing on the people of the Archdiocese. He presented a portrait of St. Faustina Kowalska, the Apostle of Divine Mercy, to the Archbishop as a sign of his appreciation.
The Apostolic Nuncio arrived in Tamale on February 19, 2022, to begin his pastoral visit and was welcomed by a delegation which was led by Archbishop Naameh. On arrival at the OLA Cathedral, he was greeted by hundreds of cheering Faithful, Priests and Religious, waving miniature Ghana and Vatican flags.
A Liturgical Rites of Reception presided by Archbishop Naameh was held in the OLA Cathedral to officially welcome the Apostolic Nuncio to the Archdiocese during which he also visited the tomb of the Servant of God, Peter Cardinal Porekuu Dery, Emeritus Archbishop of Tamale and prayed for his beatification.
While in Tamale, the Apostolic Nuncio celebrated Mass at Saints Peter and Paul parish and visited St. Charles Minor Seminary Senior High School, St. Augustine Millennium Major Seminary, the Carmelite Monastery and interacted with Pastoral and Laity Councils, leaders of societies, the youth, staff of SVS and the Priests and Religious of the Archdiocese.
He also visited Parishes in the Eastern Denary, namely Our Lady of Fatima at Salaga, Christ the King at Jamboai, St. Kizito at Kpandai, St. Isidore the Farmer at Kabonwule and St. Stephen’s at Bakamba, during which he celebrated Masses and also interacted with the faithful who expressed joy at the visit, the first ever by an Apostolic Nuncio to the area. He also paid a courtesy call on the Kpembewura, Banbagne Ndefeso IV, at his palace at Kpembe, near Salaga.
