BY: Fr. Charles Arthur
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast, Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, has ordained 13 young men into the Order of Deacons with a call on them to be Christ-like in the discharge of their duties. The call was made in his homily at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, Moree, where he presided over the diaconate ordination Mass with a number of Priests and the Archbishop Emeritus, Most Rev. Matthias Kobena Nketsiah as concelebrants.
The Archbishop in his homily, underscored the important role of the ministry of deacons in the Church as he made reference to the first and second readings of the celebration ( Num. 3:5-13 and Acts. 6:1-7) where the duties of deacons are alluded to. In the Book of Numbers, ‘ the Lord specifically tells Moses to bring the tribe of Levi to Aaron the Priest to be his assistants.’ This, according to the Archbishop, indicates one of the functions of a deacon in the Catholic. Deacons are ordained to assist the Bishop and priests of a diocese as they carry out their priestly ministry. Among other functions of the deacon according to the Archbishop, is a call to service. He told them that they had been chosen to serve the Church and they had to undertake that duty in simplicity, humility and with a heart full of charity.
Archbishop Buckle further urged them to be Christ-like in their ministry as they live the Evangelical counsels of Poverty, Obedience and celibate Chastity. He reminded them never to forget the sick, the poor and the aged who would be the recipients of their service as they undertake their duties. Additionally, the would be deacons were urged to take pains to meditate on the Word of God and prepare very well before proclaiming it.
To the families and well- wishers who had gathered there, the Archbishop encouraged them to pray for priests and deacons in their ministry. He thanked the family members for offering their sons to the Church and urged them to support the deacons.
The deacons who came from parishes were as follows:
Rev. Charles Kwofie: Elmina
Rev. Eric Bosomtwe: Pedu
Rev. Gideon Ewuah: Assin Fosu
Rev. Bright Raymond Acquah: Jukwa
Rev. Daniel Opokyi Quainoo: Dunkwa-On-Offin
Rev. Leslie Tandoh Donkor: Dunkwa-On-Offin
Rev. Alex Abakah: Anomabo
Rev. Stephen Zotor: Diaso
Rev. William Donkor: Assin Fosu
Rev. Ebenezer Ennin Asamoah: Assin Beraku,
Rev. Joseph Afful: Ajumako Bisease ,
Rev. Emmanuel Donkor: Breman Essiam,
Rev. Dominic Andoh: Mankessim
