Most Rev. Attakruh ordained Catholic Bishop of Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese
The new Catholic Bishop of the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese, Most Rev. John Baptist Attakruh, has encouraged the Catholic faithful and public servants to be the yeast, salt and light of the world.
He said they should be faithful disciples ready to offer love and hope to the troubled world, stressing that, “Jesus Christ is alive in the Church and in the world, we need love in every part of our life.”
Most Rev. Attakruh gave the admonition when he delivered his maiden address at his episcopal ordination and installation last Friday, in Takoradi.
It had the theme ‘strengthen the brethren.’
He said: “We have been admonished to leave our comfortable confines and go out to the periphery to encounter the poor, the marginalised and the neglected and place them at the very hearts of the ministry.”
He recalled that, three months ago, when by the Grace of God, he was appointed as the fifth Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi, he battled with the idea that, he was now the chief shepherd of the diocese and was gripped with fear and trepidation.
The new Bishop said, he was encouraged by the various messages of joy he received and was gratified.
Most Rev Attakruh noted that, during the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary, on Sunday, August 15, and the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, on September 15, Catholic faithful prayed for peace and unity so that, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit to shepherd the pastoral ministry and flock.
“Indeed, God has heard the prayers of the diocese, and, he is doing it. Can’t you see it working? Unity and peace is the work for all of us, the religious and the Catholic faithful.
As the Apostolic Administrator, I always called for collaboration and co-responsibility.
“Let’s go together and build the family of God, the family we cherish and strive daily to belong. I have been sustained by your prayerful support,” he said.
Bishop Attakruh expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis for the expression of deep love and the confidence reposed in him and assured that he would be “an able shepherd of the vibrant diocese of Sekondi- Takoradi.”
He thanked the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Rev. Henrynk. M. Jagodzinski, for God’s gift of episcopacy he conferred on him through the laying of hands, and, making him his first son in Ghana, praying “may your episcopacy be fulfilled.”
He also thanked the Co-Consecrators,the President of the Catholic Bishop Conference, Archbishop Philip Naameh, and his predecessor, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, for the challenge and love they gave, and shaped him,to become a Bishop.
“Archbishop Kwofie, my prayer is that, God grants you complete and total healing of body,mind and spirit, so that you can carry on your episcopal ministry,” Most Rev. Attakruh prayed.
To Archbishop of Cape Coast, Most Rev. Gabriel Charles Palmer- Buckle who delivered the Homily, he said, “You have done a yeoman job.
Your words of encouragement will forever remain in my heart. I look forward to working with you—in the Cape Coast Ecclesiastical province.”
CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, TAKORADI
