St Francis of Assisi Church elevated
The St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church at Ashale-Botwe in Accra has been elevated to a parish status. A solemn dedication and anointing ceremony took place last Saturday to make a public declaration of it.
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The ceremony, presided over by the Metropolitan Archbishop, the Most Rev Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, turned into a celebration when he pronounced a full parish status on the church.
In attendance was the Vice-President, Mr Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, who was accompanied by his wife, Matilda.
The Archbishop took his time to explain every ritual that was performed at the ceremony, starting with the sprinkling of Holy water, incensing, the anointing of the altar and the use of relics and candles in the Catholic Church.
In a brief address, Mr Amissah-Arthur said the ceremony had offered him a rare opportunity to experience some aspects of the culture of the Catholic Church.
"It has been a revelation for us. The symbolism of this has been incredibly relevant to us and we share in your joy and happiness," he told the congregation.
He donated an undisclosed amount to the parish.
Citadel of spiritual protection
Mr Amissah-Arthur said he saw the church building as a citadel for the salvation of those who needed it and for spiritual protection from the difficulties of life.
“I hope this parish will be a citadel of spiritual protection and salvation for the people of Ashale-Botwe," he said, adding that he believed through the parish, many lives would be changed.
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He charged the parish to not concentrate on only the spiritual needs of the parishioners but also attend to their physical needs.
"It is my hope that you will support the people who are weak and don't have the strength to provide for themselves, so that this church will provide support for children who need help to do great things in their lives," he said.
Rituals
Earlier in a homily, the Most Rev Palmer-Buckle had defended the practices of the church, especially its rituals and ceremonies, explaining that the church did not do anything outside the Holy Bible.
He quoted extensively from the Bible to support whatever rituals and ceremonies the church performed.
He said the consecration and anointing of the altar made it a Holy object in the church "and that is why we bow and genuflect at the altar".
He reminded the congregation that the moment they entered the church, they should be reminded that they were in the presence of God.
The Most Rev Palmer-Buckle reminded people that their bodies were the temple of God and that was why "we need to do things that will please God".
In a related development, the Vicar-General of the Archdiocese of Accra, the Very Rev Fr Francis Adoboli, installed Rev Fr Nimorious Kwabena Dmanzing as the first parish priest of the Ashale-Botwe church, in accordance with Catholic doctrine.
Writer's Email: severious.dery@graphic.com.gh