The Catholic Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga has welcomed six newly ordained priests to strengthen pastoral and spiritual leadership in the Diocese.
The six were ordained by Most Reverend Alfred Agyenta, Bishop of the Diocese, during a priestly ordination ceremony held at the Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Minor Basilica in Navrongo.
The newly ordained priests are Reverend Fr Bernard Asampana Adua (St Martin’s De Porres Parish, Zuarungu) and Reverend Fr Julius Abanga Abariche (St Anthony of Padua Parish, Bawku), both of the Missionaries of Africa.
The rest are Reverend Fr Julius Adunga Atega (Martyrs of Uganda, Sirigu), Reverend Fr James Aweo (Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish, Bolgatanga), Reverend Fr Magnus Asukanyok (Christ the King Parish, Sandema), and Reverend Fr Isaac Awindaug Adakudugu (St Anthony of Padua Parish, Bawku).
In his homily, Bishop Agyenta described the ordination as significant because it followed the Diocese’s Pastoral Congress and coincided with its 120th anniversary.
He said the newly ordained priests were expected to provide the pastoral and spiritual leadership required to implement the decisions and priorities adopted at the Congress.
“The Church exists to evangelise, and the priest is called to evangelise,” he said, urging the new priests to adopt a mission-oriented approach to their ministry rather than merely maintaining existing structures.
Bishop Agyenta advised them to love and care for the people they served, stressing that priests must make their communities feel valued and understand that their presence was primarily for their spiritual and human wellbeing.
He also urged the priests, particularly those beginning their ministry, to learn the languages and cultures of the communities where they were assigned.
He said language was a critical tool for effective evangelisation, especially in the Diocese, which has diverse linguistic and cultural communities.
“When you speak the people’s language, they open doors for you,” he said, adding that the priests should take advantage of their youthfulness to develop their language skills.
The Bishop further tasked the newly ordained priests to pay particular attention to the youth, especially amid growing concerns over indiscipline in schools and society.
He attributed some of the challenges facing young people to inadequate character formation and moral education in homes and schools, as well as their unregulated exposure to digital content.
Bishop Agyenta also cautioned the new priests on the responsible use of information and communication technologies, describing digital technology as a “double-edged sword.”
He urged the priests to lead by example in their use of technology, noting that parishioners looked up to them for responsible conduct.
He commended them to the protection and intercession of the Virgin Mary and prayed for their safety and fruitful ministry among the people they had been called to serve.
GNA
