The Members of the Priests Association of the Catholic Diocese of Wiawso in Ghana’s Western North Region has praised the Most Rev. Joseph Francis Kweku Essien, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese for showing unwavering commitment during his 23 years of episcopacy.
“You took the mantle when the grounds were not all that fertile and the roads were not smooth for sailing. You girded your loins and embraced all the challenges for the Diocese to be set on a befitting pedestal,” a Citation from the Association to the Bishop Emeritus stated.
Very Rev. Fr. Patrick Appiah, President of the Priests Association presented the Citation during a Mass on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at the Our Lady of Annunciation Cathedral at Wiawso to thank God for the 23 years of the life of Bishop Essien as the Prelate of the Wiawso Diocese.
“After your ordination, little did you envisage that you would be a Prelate but God, the Omniscient had destined you to be,” the Citation said, indicating that “When the Diocese of Wiawso was carved out of Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese, you were consecrated as the first Shepherd of the Lord’s Flock in the then newly created Diocese.”
It noted: “Without your own place of abode, you still showed unwavering commitment to the task and made sure you had a decent accommodation for yourself and your successors. With few priests at your disposal, you held the fort to raise vocations for many Parishes to be created,” the Association said.
The Citation pointed out that “The Diocese before the close of your tenure could boast of thirty-five Parishes and Rectorates and in few years, the number of Priests and your collaborators increased and that led to the creation of many Parishes and Rectorates.”
According to the Diocesan Priests, this was a fulfilment of Bishop Essien’s vision to let the word of God and the celebration of the Sacraments reach the door steps of the laity.
“Your fatherly role as Priests’ Association member was par excellence,” the Citation stated, saying, “You took keen interest in the business of the Association and contributed massively towards the success of all her activities.”
The Wiawso Diocesan Priests applauded Bishop Essien for approving a fund raising in support of the Association twice every year for its administration, thanking him for always attending the Association’s meetings.
“There was not a single Association meeting that you absented yourself from when you were in the Diocese. Your contributions, corrections and cautions have strengthened the bond of the Association members,” the Priests averred.
They recalled his jovial manner he used to interact with the Priests such as “Bongo Bongo Bongo” and common acclamation “Oyieeoo”, praying that “As you retire from active and vigorous pastoral routines, may the bond between and among us be fostered till eternity.”
“May your health not fail you and may you enjoy this period in full, till the apportioned years marked for you is completely consumed, the Diocesan Priests concluded.
Bishop Essien in response thanked the Priests for working closely with him and urged them to do same for his successor, Most Rev. Samuel Nkuah Boateng, urged the Priests, Religious and Laity to ensure accountability at all times.
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Quaicoo, the Vice President of the Association and other Diocesan Priests supported Fr. Appiah to make the presentation to Bishop Essien.
By Damian Avevor
