Most Rev. Palmer-Buckle ordains seven priests

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, has ordained seven priests.

They are Rev. Fr Winfred C.L. Mawulawoe Tawiah Jnr from Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church; Rev. Fr Sylvester Julius Segbawu, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church; Rev. Fr Daniel Kobblah Attipoe, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and Rev. Fr Elvis Nana Kobina Nketsiah Mensah of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church.

The rest are Rev. Fr Januarius Noemesi Akpabli, St Kizito Catholic Church; Rev. Fr Emmanuel-Mary Ofori Srem, Corpus Christi Catholic Church; and Rev. Fr Andrew Setsoafia, SJ, St Dominic Catholic Church.

Show mercy 

Concelebrating with a host of other priests, Most Rev. Palmer-Buckle reminded the newly ordained priests to be the face of Christ and show mercy to anyone who came their way.

As priests, he said, they were God’s face of mercy to His people (the church) and noted that that was what Jesus told them to do in the Bible.

“As priests, you must know that you’re no longer your own—you must allow the Holy Spirit to take absolute control over you,” he said, and added that “as priests, you’re the missionaries and apostles of mercy for God’s people”.

The Metropolitan Archbishop also reminded them to be self-disciplined and love everyone, no matter their background, creed or orientation.

Theme 

Taking his scriptures from the books of John 20:19-23, Isaiah 61:1-3 and 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, he indicated that priests and Christians were endowed with so many gifts, and there was the need to be mindful of that and put them to good use.

“As priests, you have no excuse to proclaim the word of God to the whole world and let people benefit from the spiritual gifts that God has given to them,” he added.

By their ordination, Most Rev. Palmer Buckle stated, they had been moulded into teachers, preachers and apostles of the word, emphasising that they should not go and teach themselves but rather the congregations that they were going to serve. 

He also administered their oaths of office as newly ordained priests.

Gifts and prayers  

The colourful ceremony attracted members of the various parishes where the priests came from, as well as a host of Catholic faithful, including priests, family members and other religious leaders.

It was also a time of merrymaking as friends, relatives and loved ones came from far and near to celebrate with the newly ordained priests.

After the various ordination rites were performed, the priests were presented to the congregation for their approval. 

It was then followed by the offering of special prayers for them as well as the presentation of various gifts and items.

Appreciation 

On behalf of the newly ordained priests, Rev. Fr Akpabli expressed appreciation to their family members, the Metropolitan Archbishop and the hosts of priests at the programme.