The Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, SVD, Bishop of Keta-Akatsi Diocese, has asked the Clergy and the Lay faithful to pay attention to the poor, marginalized, vulnerable, and needy in society, as they are the target group of Christ’s ministry on earth.
Bishop Kumordji, in his sermon, called upon the catholic faithful to change pastoral plans in the parishes by going beyond the rites, rituals, and ceremonies celebrated to be able to draw people to recognize what the church stands for.
He stated that in proclaiming the gospel of Christ, they should pay attention to the poor in society, visit the people in need, Muslims as well as traditionalist without discrimination.
Bishop Kumordji noted that through our lack of care for the poor, our true identity is not shown, and this has made the church unattractive, inward-looking, insensitive to our internal needs, and self-centred, resulting in low vocation enrolment, decline in the administration of baptism and confirmation.
The loss of vigour and love for our Catholic schools and hospitals should draw our attention as a diocese, deaneries, parishes, and individuals, he added.
Bishop Kumordji commended the youth of the diocese for raising ten thousand (₵10,000) Ghana Cedis for the sick in the Sacred Heart Hospital in Abor during the 2026 Lent period.
He also saluted parishes that made charity moves to create a positive impression on the inmates of the Good Samaritan Home at Adidome, in my Father’s House at Abor, and those recently affected and made homeless by the Akosombo spillage. These gestures made those outside the church see what the church’s mission is like, he stressed.
Bishop Kumordji reminded the faithful that to continue the ministry of Jesus Christ, there is a need to strongly identify with the lowest in rank among men.
He then entreated the faithful to embrace the Caritas Week celebration yearly in parishes and stations to enable them to support the poor effectively. He encouraged the faithful to seek regular intersection through St. Francis of Assisi for the way out.
“Let our faith be demonstrated and touch the lives of those whom nobody cares for or has heard of, he advised.
Rev. Fr. Ruben Awuye, the Parish Priest of the St. Joseph Catholic Quasi-Parish at Alakple with Stations at Atsito and Salo, before the commencement of the mass, welcomed all faithful and asked that they go deep into the rites of the day to be able to enjoy the graces God made available for the day.
Mad. Comfort Selasi Alipui, a nurse at the Richard Novati Catholic Hospital at Sogakope, presented the Oil of the Sick. Ms. Victoria Mensah, a catechumen and a learner at the Alakple R. C. Basic School, presented the Oil of Catechumen, while Rev. Fr. Roger Govina (SC) of St. Rose of Lima quasi-parish, Atidzive, presented the Holy Chrism. Bishop Kumordji blessed the Oil of the Sick and Catechumens, and the priests joined him to consecrate the Holy Chrism.
The Priests renewed their vows to unite more closely to Christ and be more like him in their ministerial priesthood. The deanery mass choir sang the Chrism Mass.
By Cephas K.N. Afornu
