A colourful celebration of priestly ordination at Seikwa near Berekum was witnessed by priests, Religious and Laity nationwide through which the Catholic Bishop of Sunyani, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi ordained three young men as priests.

In his homily, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi reminded the newly ordained priests that they had used many years to become skilled at what the Church expects of them as priests and had also explored throughout their formative years how they can meet these expectations. You therefore have all it takes to be role models to your generation. Utilize every given opportunity to prove your worth and brighten wherever you find yourselves. He accentuated on the fact that there are thousand and one first-class and wonderful priests who in spite of their humanness have responded positively to God’s call and have proved to be faithful and reliable in all dimensions of their priestly ministry. He encouraged the newly ordained priests to emulate the good paradigms of these breathtaking models in the priestly ministry.

Bishop Matthew further exhorted them to avoid “lonerangerism” and circumvent the false belief that they can do it all. He encouraged them to tap the rich experiences of their experienced brothers in the ministry. He again asked them to avoid the temptation of easily creating their own version of the priesthood and convincing themselves that their version is good enough and that God will understand them. Remember my sons, by virtue of your baptism and more importantly by your ordination, you have been tasked with the serious responsibility of leading the people of God to follow the principles and values of Christ and never dare to lead them to go after the fleeting teachings of the world, Bishop Matthew Gyamfi reiterated.

My dear sons, while the pastoral situation into which you are being sent is as challenging as any other times, these times are different and I urge you to be extra vigilant so that you do not become a victim of the times, the Bishop cautioned the newly ordained priests.

He added that in St. Paul’s letter to Timothy, he reminds us of the qualification of a Bishop and since every Bishop is first a priest, this advice is applicable to you and would help you achieve excellence in your priestly ministry. Therefore be hospitable, gentle, meek, and do not be a lover of money. Be responsible and respectable persons in society and take care of the family of God with all your heart, your mind and with all your soul. The priesthood is a gift that nobody deserves. Therefore cherish this gift, protect it and remember you will account for it before your God who bestowed it on you, Bishop Matthew highlighted.

The Bishop charged the laity to pray insistently for their priests and help them materially as well. He also called on certain individuals who are more endowed to show appreciation to God with more generous contributions to the Church. The three priests are Frs. Isaac Bediako, Pual Okyere, and Ishmael Besing. Visit the Gallery for more pictures.