Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, S.V.D., Catholic Bishop of Ho and Vice President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference on the 24th of August, 2024, has called on newly ordained priests to focus on preaching Christ's message rather than their own ideas during the 2024 priestly ordination.
Bishop Fianu, delivering the homily at the 2024 Ho Diocesan Priestly Ordination at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Ho Kpevele, admonished the newly ordained priests to ensure their teachings truly nourish the spiritual needs of their congregations. He advised them to let their lives serve as examples that attract others to Christ and to perform their ministerial duties with deep devotion. He urged senior priests to mentor younger priests, offering guidance and sharing the practical realities of parish ministry to foster collaborative and effective pastoral work.
The Bishop admonished the new priests to listen to their elders and adhere to best practices, noting that ordination does not equate to complete knowledge. "As Parochial Vicar or Associate Priest, you are to assist the Parish Priest in his parish ministry. You are to substitute for him if the situation arises, according to the norm of law. You are to report to the Parish Priest on proposed and ongoing pastoral plans and projects, which have been legitimately assigned to you, in such a way that you and the Parish Priest, through common efforts, can provide for the pastoral care of the parish (Canon 548 §§1-3)." "Do not turn the outstations into your parish house from where you operate without referencing your Parish Priest. I am not appointing you Parish Priests or Priest-in-Charge. Follow canonical guidelines and do not independently manage sacramental duties without proper authorization."
The newly ordained priests are Rev. Fr. Paul Zigah from St. Joseph Parish, Liati, Rev. Fr. Juliano A.K. Yahadji from St. Stephen Parish, Kpetoe, Rev. Fr. James Gadasu from St. Joseph Parish, Liati, and Rev. Fr. Augustine Osei from St. Mary Parish, Likpe Abrani.
The Bishop tasked the Vicar General of the Diocese, Very Rev. Fr Walter Agbetoh to announce the places of work of the newly ordained and transfers of some priests based on pastoral needs. The celebration was well attended by priests and religious from the length and breadth of the country and beyond. The chief and elders as well as the families of the ordinandi were also present.
