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All Vocations Are a Lifelong Commitment, Bishop in Ghana on Consecrated Life

Bishop John Baptist Attakruh of Ghana’s Catholic Diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi. Credit: Depsocom Sekondi - Takoradi
ACI Africa Staff

By ACI Africa Staff

Sekondi-Takoradi, 03 February, 2026 / 5:59 pm (ACI Africa).

Bishop John Baptist Attakruh of Ghana’s Catholic Diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi has reminded both Religious and lay faithful that vocation, whether in marriage or Consecrated Life, is a lifelong response rooted in faith, hope, and service to the Kingdom of God.

In his homily during the celebration of Consecrated Life Day in his Episcopal See, Bishop Attakruh pointed out the essence of vocation as a call received from God.

“Do not think of the Priesthood and Religious Life as the only vocation. Understand that your married life is also a vocation,” the Ghanaian Catholic Bishop said uring the Monday, February 2 event that was held at Divine Redeemer Parish of his Episcopal See.

He added, “It is not everyone who is called to married life. For a vocation implies that God has explicitly called you for a mission.”

Bishop Attakruh emphasized that marriage is also a lifetime commitment, just like Religious Life.

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The Local Ordinary noted that the essential element to guide marriage should be faith and hope, but not beauty and money. 

He said, “When entering marriage, the focus should not be on physical beauty or money. We should enter marriage with faith and hope.”

Bishop Attakruh reminded women and men Religious that vocations are always centered on commitment. 

He noted that the celebration of Consecrated Life  is an invitation “to renew our commitment”, adding, “Always remember you are responding to God’s call as a witness to the Gospel to show that your focus is beyond this transient world. Your life proclaims the Kingdom of God in the world.”

“You remind us every day that there is an ultimate calling and that our calling ultimately ends with God,” the Catholic Church leader said.

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He continued, “For this reason, you demonstrate and live the kingdom values in your vow of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Kingdom values make you resemble Jesus Christ. These values are not cherished in the world; these values are particularly embraced for the sake of the kingdom of God”.

The Local Ordinary of Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese encouraged the youth in the Church to embrace the Religious Life. 

He stated that “there is more to life than just focus on money and wealth. Living the Religious Life means sharing with the community”.

The Catholic Bishop reminded the parishioners that the Religious support the Church through their constant prayers. He said, “They are silent but very powerful in the Church. They pray for the universal church. They are called to be living witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus”.

The Catholic Church leader noted that the Religious ought to shine like light, adding, “You are the light of the world. That is what you are invited to uphold. To let your light shine in the world.”

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Bishop Attakruh expressed his appreciation to women and men Religious in his Diocese who work in diverse ways to support the diocese. He appealed to the people of God to pray for the religious, and they also keep the church in their prayers. 

He said, “Let us remember to pray for them in our prayers as they also keep praying for the Church constantly. We pray that you respond day by day with humility and appreciate God’s love in your vocation. And may what you do always bear fruit in the church.”

After the Eucharistic celebration, representatives of the various congregations present took time to educate parishioners about their unique charisms and apostolates.

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

ACI Africa Staff

ACI Africa was founded in 2019. We provide free, up-to-the-minute news affecting the Catholic Church in Africa, giving particular emphasis to the words of the Holy Father and happenings of the Holy See, to any person with access to the internet. ACI Africa is proud to offer free access to its news items to Catholic dioceses, parishes, and websites, in order to increase awareness of the activities of the universal Church and to foster a sense of Catholic thought and culture in the life of every Catholic.