THE Most Reverend Emmanuel Kofi Fianu has been ordained the new Catholic Bishop of the Ho Diocese.
His ordination was jointly performed by His Eminence Peter Cardianl Appiah Turkson, who was the main celebrant, and the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Reverend Jean –Marie Speich together with Bishop Lodonu.
Most Reverend Fianu succeeds Emeritus Most Reverend Francis Anani Kofi Lodonu who is on retirement after serving as Bishop for 42 years.
In July this year, Pope Francis appointed the then Rev. Fr. Fianu, 58, Secretary General of the Council of the Society of Divine Word (SVD) as Bishop of Ho Diocese. It followed the retirement of Emeritus Bishop Lodonu.
Present were the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, Ghana’s Ambassador to the Vatican, Mr Bebakoo Mensah, the Volta Regional Minister, Ms Helen Adjoa Ntoso, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Minister of Health, Mr Alex Segbefia a
Call to fight corruption
In a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Johnny Osei Kofi, at the ceremony, President John Dramani Mahama called on the church and citizens at all levels of society to volunteer information on corruption to the government and other accredited institutions that could track and prosecute offenders.
He said the government would not shield anyone caught in corrupt practices once incontrovertible evidence was provided.
President Mahama said based on information from ordinary people, a number of arrests had already been made and prosecutions were ongoing.
Religious institutions
The President said churches and mosques provided good grounds to undertake education on corruption.
He stated that understanding corruption was the first step to fighting it, and in view of that, religious organisations had a huge role to play.
In that respect, he urged religious leaders to talk to their members working in various institutions to shun negative tendencies and rather engage in acts that would help build the nation.
Congrats
President Mahama congratulated the new bishop on his investiture and expressed the hope that he would build on the legacy of his predecessor.
He also commended the Catholic Church for being a true partner in national development
Homily
In a homily, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, the Most Reverend Gabriel Palmer- Buckle said Most Rev. Fianu had come to continue the journey of his predecessor in the capacity as a teacher, a shepherd and a high priest.
He ,therefore, urged him to entrench the virtues of love for one another and walk with the people to let the diocese grow to attain full stature.
In a solidarity message, the Agbogbomefia of Ho Asogli, Togbe Afede, pledged the support of the people to enable Most Rev. Fianu to deliver to the expectation of the people and to build on the achievements of his predecessor.
The Volta Regional Minister, Ms Ntoso, on her part, asked the new bishop to tap the rich experience of his predecessor to chart the course of peace and development of the region.
The President of the Catholic Bishops Conference, the Most Reverend Osei Bonsu, on behalf of the conference, congratulated the outgoing Bishop on his contribution of many years of dedicated service and welcomed the new one into the fraternity of the conference of bishops and assured him of the support of members.
Acknowledgement
In an acknowledgement, Bishop Fianu said the announcement of his appointment by the Vatican was still a surprise to him and remained a significant stage in his life.
He paid glowing tribute to his predecessor on his achievements in the diocese during his tenure.
Profile
Born at Tegbi, near Keta, the new bishop attended the Major Seminary in Tamale. He was ordained a priest on July 14, 1985 in Accra.
He served in various capacities including teacher at the College d’Enseignement General in Kante, Togo; Professor of Biblical Studies at the St. Jean Paul II Seminaire and at the Institute St. Paul in Lome.
He was also the Secretary of the Commission for the Liturgical Publications Ghana-Togo; Director of the Divine Word College in Rome; Rector of the College of the Divine Word in Rome, and Secretary for the formation of the SVD Provinces Africa-Madagascar.
Quick Read
- Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu was last Saturday ordained the new Bishop of the Ho Diocese of the Catholic Church.
- Until his ordination, Most Reverend Fianu, was the Secretary General of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) at the Vatican, Rome.
Fact Sheet
- The Ho Catholic Diocese has 200,670 Catholics with 28 parishes, 82 priests (78 diocesan and four religious), 11 religious brothers, 81 nuns and 19 seminarians.
Source: Daily Graphic