Support Local Ordinary’s Vision: Archbishop to Newly-Ordained Auxiliary Bishops in Ghana

“What the old people see sitting down, we the young though we stand, cannot see. The Diocesan Bishop’s vision and strategic planning initiatives are the ones guiding the Archdiocese,” he further said.

The Catholic Church leader who started his Episcopal Ministry in January 2004 as Auxiliary Bishop of Kumasi Archdiocese also told the new Bishops to “uphold the truth” as exemplified in the person of Jesus Christ. 

Together with Archbishop John Bonaventure Kwofie of Accra, Archbishop Anokye said the two new Bishops “must uphold the truth which is Jesus Christ at all times in this Archdiocese.”

“The red color in your Episcopal dress signifies your readiness to defend the truth which is only one Jesus Christ at all times to the point of shedding blood. At all times, with your Bishop, you must stand by the truth. If you are the Baptised, defend the truth to the end,” said the 62-year-old Ghanaian Archbishop.

Pope Francis appointed Bishops Kobina and Asare to serve as Auxiliary Bishops in Accra Archdiocese on February 14. 

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Bishop Kobina, 57, was ordained a Priest for the Archdiocese of Accra in July 1992 after completing his Theological studies at St. Peter’s Major Seminary Pedu in Cape Coast Archdiocese. 

As a Priest, Bishop Kobina who has been assigned the Titular See of Fesseë served as a Parochial Vicar, Parish Administrator, Parish Priest, and the President of the National Union of Ghana Catholic Diocesan Priest's Associations (NUGCDPA), among other responsibilities. 

Meanwhile, Bishop Asare was ordained a Priest of the Archdiocese of Accra in July 1995 after completing his philosophical and theological studies at St. Paul’s Seminary in Sowutuom and St Paul’s Major Seminary in Pedu, respectively. 

As a Priest, the Titular Bishop of Castellum in Numidia has served as a Parish Vicar and Bursar of the Archdiocese of Accra, among other duties. 

The new Bishops are to assist Archbishop Kwofie in shepherding the people of God in the 3,255 square kilometers Metropolitan See that is headquartered in Ghana’s capital city, Accra.

In his message during the Holy Mass at Holy Spirit Cathedral Adabraka of Accra Archdiocese, Archbishop Kwofie expressed gratitude to God for the appointment of the two Auxiliary Bishops.

“I would like to express my singular appreciation for the new things God is doing in the Archdiocese of Accra. We thank him for having permitted the Holy Father Pope Francis to give his consent to my request and subsequently nominated two Auxiliary Bishops,” said the Archbishop of Accra.

The member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans – CSSp.) also thanked the new Catholic Bishops “for being such an excellent gift to the church in Accra.”

On their part, the new Bishops pledged to support the Catholic Archbishop in serving the people of God in the Ghanaian Metropolitan See. 

“I would like to assure you our dearest Archbishop Most Reverend John Bonaventure Kwofie of our wholehearted commitment to assist you in your task as Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra,” they said in their collective message that Bishop Kobina read out during the April 19 event.

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Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.