Let’s defuse tense political atmosphere — Most Rev. Louis

An Auxiliary Bishop of the Accra Archdiocese of the Catholic Church, Most Rev. Dr John Louis, has expressed concern about the tense political atmosphere leading to the general election on December 7, 2024.

He cited violence and insecurity, especially the protracted Bawku conflict, “corrupt and weak institutions of governance, unscrupulous and unpatriotic politicians/public officials, culture of impunity, socio-economic regression, religious fraud as some of the causes for worry as election day beckons”.   

He also mentioned poverty, loss of job, trade loss, failure in examinations, no marriage, divorce and childlessness at the individual level that was negatively affecting the country.

Most Rev. Dr Louis expressed the concern in his homily at the St John Bosco Catholic Church at Golf City near Tema.

Hope

He cited the escalating war between Russia and Ukraine, the devastating wars in Gaza and Lebanon, the recent vote in favour of “assisted dying” in the British Parliament, and the LGBTQ++ agenda, which endangered the human race as examples of crises at the global level.

He, however, encouraged Ghanaians not to despair amid the crisis but rather embrace hope.

Most Rev. Louis was hopeful that by the powerful intervention of God, the darkness of the global, national and/or personal crisis would give way to the “bright light of a just, free, peaceful and prosperous future!”

He reminded Ghanaians that embracing hope required that they turn away from their sins, aspire to holiness and preach the same to others.

He pointed out that the universal crisis did not have the final say.

“There is hope! This is because Christ the King of the Universe, through whom the universe was created and who has power even over death, is coming again to save us,” he stated. 

Old generation

He said God’s people of old often experienced crisis when they were unfaithful to Him.

He said it was while the Jews were in Babylon and had repented of their sins that the prophet delivered to them a message of hope for God’s deliverance.

Most Rev. Louis said disobedience to God was not limited to a particular people, but to the whole human race; hence, St Paul’s statement that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23) .