At Double Jubilee of Ghana’s Cape Coast Archdiocese, Papal Delegate Calls for Walking “forward with Confidence”

Cardinal Napier cautioned against following instead of walking with Jesus, saying “Walk with Jesus every moment, every day, in every way and in every circumstance”. 

Wilfrid Fox Cardinal Napier. Credit: Catholic Photography/Holy Spirit Cathedral Adabraka/Accra/Ghana

The South African member of the Order of Friars Minor (OFM), who was at the helm of South Africa’s Durban Archdiocese before his retirement was accepted in June 2021 at the age of 80 further said, “When we mean to commit to live the present with enthusiasm, it implies we commit ourselves to know God through Jesus, who first tells us what God is like and then shows Him to us.”

He outlined three ways to achieve true discipleship, saying, “First is a true disciple is one who walks with Jesus.” 

Wilfrid Fox Cardinal Napier. Credit: Catholic Photography/Holy Spirit Cathedral Adabraka/Accra/Ghana

“The second thing he emphasized was that a true disciple builds the church by faith and good works. The last thing is that the true disciple witnesses to Jesus,” he added.

Cardinal Napier urged the people of God to remember their past with gratitude, live the present with enthusiasm, and move into the future with courage and faith.

Credit: Catholic Photography/Holy Spirit Cathedral Adabraka/Accra/Ghana

“To live in the present comes with its own challenges. Your Bishops are challenging you to find new ways of being disciples of Jesus,” he said.

Reflecting on 75 years of grace, the Papal Delegate noted that the Archdiocese’s achievements extend far beyond its physical structures. 

Credit: Catholic Photography/Holy Spirit Cathedral Adabraka/Accra/Ghana

“We thank God for the training and involvement of the laity in the ministry of the Church—men and women serving on parish councils, teaching catechism, and supporting adult formation,” he said. 

He also highlighted the Church’s efforts in promoting justice, fighting discrimination, and fostering unity through the synodal path.

Credit: Catholic Photography/Holy Spirit Cathedral Adabraka/Accra/Ghana

Drawing from Scripture, the 84-year-old Cardinal offered three biblical foundations for discipleship: faithfulness (Acts 2:42–47), hope in Christ’s resurrection (1 Peter 1:3–9), and love in action (John 15:17). 

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“True disciples walk with Jesus every day, build up His Church through faith and good works, and bear witness to Him in all circumstances,” he emphasized.

Credit: Catholic Photography/Holy Spirit Cathedral Adabraka/Accra/Ghana

The October 25 celebration drew an estimated 12,700 lay faithful, 25 Bishops, 270 Priests, 119 men and women Religious, and nearly 500 Catechists.

Earlier in the event, Archbishop Charles Palmer-Buckle of Cape Coast Archdiocese welcomed dignitaries and faithful from across Ghana and beyond. 

Archbishop Charles Palmer-Buckle. Credit: Catholic Photography/Holy Spirit Cathedral Adabraka/Accra/Ghana

He expressed joy at hosting the historic celebration and acknowledged the presence of Archbishop Julien Kaboré, Apostolic Nuncio in Ghana, and Peter Kodwo Appiah Cardinal Turkson, Prefect Emeritus of the Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and former Archbishop of Cape Coast.

Credit: Catholic Photography/Holy Spirit Cathedral Adabraka/Accra/Ghana

Archbishop Kaboré read the official Mandatum from the Holy See, appointing Cardinal Napier as the Papal Delegate to preside over the solemn Mass, describing him as a “devoted shepherd endowed with pastoral zeal.”

Archbishop Julien Kaboré. Credit: Catholic Photography/Holy Spirit Cathedral Adabraka/Accra/Ghana

Cardinal Turkson led the prayer of consecration of the Archdiocese and urged the people of God to carry forward the missionary spirit of the early evangelizers who laid the foundations of the Church in Cape Coast with selfless dedication.

Peter Kodwo Appiah Cardinal Turkson. Credit: Catholic Photography/Holy Spirit Cathedral Adabraka/Accra/Ghana

In a goodwill message, the President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), Bishop Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi of the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani, congratulated the Archdiocese on its milestone, calling the double jubilee a “moment of renewal and rededication to mission.”

Bishop Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi. Credit: Catholic Photography/Holy Spirit Cathedral Adabraka/Accra/Ghana

Fr. Francis Madonna Ayaric of Cape Coast Catholic Archdiocese contributed to this story.