THE Archbishop of Freetown, Most Rev Dr. Edward Tamba Charles, has commended members of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall for their immense contributions to the parishes in which they find themselves in the Catholic Church.
He commended the performance of the first Council in Sierra Leone and stated that he had not regretted allowing the Noble Order into his diocese.
He made the commendation in his homily during a thanksgiving mass at the Holy Cross Parish, Kissy, Freetown after the consecration of Councils 120 and 121 as well as Courts 116 and 117 in Freetown, Sierra Leone on November 22, 2015.
Successful transitions
Most Rev Charles said he was also happy with the manner elections were held and also the change over to new leaders without rancor and expressed the hope that political leaders would emulate the Noble Order.
He wished it were that smooth in the political arena and other areas of public engagements where leaders do all in their power to hang on to power or in some cases it leads to violence.
He commended the Noble Order for the succession training of members which made our members better understand their role within the church and secondly for our active involvement in Church life.
“ We should also carry our Catholic identity into our public life or wherever we find ourselves as Doctors, Teachers, and Politicians etc,” he said.
Most Rev Charles admonished Catholic lay faithful to actively portray their Catholic principles in their everyday lives even in their public life without fear.
He commended strongly the American lady Public Servant who refused to register a same sex marriage in the Court because it was against her Catholic principles and was ready to be jailed for that.
He asked the Noble Order to continue to train its members to continue to practice the virtues being espoused by the Order.
He further called on the Noble Order to consider seriously adding the issues of the Environment, Marriage and Family life in its formation.
Most Rev Charles also asked that Catholic men spent time with their families no matter how busy they were.
He thanked God for the declaration of Sierra Leone as EBOLA free by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
He said as Christians, particularly Catholics should live according to the beatitudes and thereby contribute to the coming of the kingdom of Christ.
“Our tribute to Christ who lived his life for us should be truth and justice, holiness and grace, love and peace and the care of our common home, the environment,” he said.
The Supreme Knight, Sir Kt Ernest Amoako-Arhen, thanked him for his active support of the Noble Order’s activities in Freetown.
He emphasized the international linkages of the Order and the active role the Knights of Marshall had played within this global Catholic fraternity.
The Grand Lady, MRL Sis. Alice Ayebi said the Noble Order was gender balanced and that was why the Ladies wing was added.
She, therefore, urged the brothers and sisters in Sierra Leone to work closely together to make progress and achieve the vision of the Order in that country.
On behalf of the brothers and sisters of the three Councils and three Courts in Sierra Leone, the Supreme Knight assisted by the Grand Lady presented to the Church Le 1,000,000 to support them in their church development project.
Write-up by W/Bro Charles Cobb, Supreme Propagandist.