Lower Volta Apostolic Vicariate 1923

The Catholic Church in the Lower Volta (now Volta Region) was founded in Keta in 1890 by SMA Fathers from Dahomey. In 1894, it was annexed to the Cape Coast Vicariate. Pope Pius XI (1922-1939) created the Vicariate on 15th of March 1923 and entrusted it to the Dutch Province of the S.M.A.

The Apostolic Vicariate of the Lower Volta comprised the territory of the English Togoland and Keta and Denu parishes which were formerly part of the Gold Coast Vicariate headquartered in Cape Coast. The Lower Volta Apostolic Vicariate extended from the South East corner of the Volta river estuary as far North as Bimbila, Yendi and Bawku. The Volta River formed the boundary between the LOWER VOLTA Vicariate and the Vicariate of the Gold Coast. While a Prefecture Apostolic is a territory or a Diocese headed by a superior, a Vicariate Apostolic or a Diocese headed by an ordained Bishop.

Bishop Augustine Herman’s Era (1923 – 1945)
Rev. Fr. Augustine Herman, SMA was born at Turckheim in Alsace Strasbourg on 18th December, 1879. He studied in SMA Seminaries in Holland and Ireland and was ordained priest in 1902. He taught for a year and was sent to Nigeria in 1904 working mainly in the districts of Ijebu and Ikiti. During the First World War he was attached to the English, French and native forces as a Chaplain in Cameroon. He was mobilized into military service in Europe and returned to Nigeria after the World War I. It was in Nigeria that he was appointed to head the newly created Lower Volta Apostolic Vicariate and Consecrated Bishop at Strasbourg, Alsace in France on 13th June 1923 as Titular Bishop of Bubastis.

The motto on his Coat of Arms is: “Sicut Miles Christi” (“As a soldier of Christ”) (cfr. 2 Timothy 2:3). He arrived in Keta on 23rd October, 1923 as the first bishop of the Lower Volta apostolic Vicariate and after 6 days started pastoral visit of the central parishes and outstations on bicycle from Keta to Krachi. He was a classical text book example of a holy untiring pastoral Bishop. He spent two or three days in almost every station, visiting the homes and the sick, teaching catechism, celebrated mass, heard confessions and examined candidates for Baptism (adults) and Confirmation. He was led and propelled by the Holy Spirit. He combined pastoral work with school education which he considered as an invaluable instrument of evangelization and development. He founded over 2000 Catholic Schools in a short period of time.

During his many time, new stations were opened including the following in the present day Ho Diocese in 1924. Gbi - Bla (first time after the 2nd World War) and Ho got permanent resident priests. Gbefi Tornu, Kpando Dafor and Alavanyo Abehenease were opened in 1924.
In 1925, twenty five stations were opened in the Vicariate including the following stations in Ho Diocese. Alavanyo Wudidi, Kpando Fesi, Anfoeta Tsebi, Peki Adzokoe, Sokode Gbogame, Klave, Trsukpe, Tsyome, Aveme Beme, Vuinta.

In 1926 a Minor Seminary was opened at Kpando. In the same year 1926, the Little Servants of the Sacred Heart (Menton Sisters) opened a convent and a dispensary in Kpando. They taught catechism and visited the aged and the sick in their homes. They were dedicated to the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. They later on opened dispensaries at Dzodze (1934) and at Abor.

In 1926 the following stations were opened: Saviefe, Vane, Have, Gbi Wegbe, Wli Todzi, Fodome Woe.
In 1927, nine stations were opened in the Vicariate including: Tanyigbe in Ho Diocese.
In 1928, stations were opened at Kpedze (which became a parish in 1986 with 20 outstations) Adaklu Wayanu, Peki Woadze, Agate, Nyagbo and Botoku.
In January, 1931, Bishop Herman officially re-opened the Training College at Gbi-Bla headed by Rev. Fr. Joseph Gerald Holland, SMA for the formation of Teacher – Catechists.

IN 1934, OLA Sisters opened a Boarding School for girls at Gbi-Bla, and the Training College at Gbi-Bla closed down once more and the students were sent to Amisano near Elmina.
In 1935, Likpe station got her first resident priest in the person of Rev. Fr. Francis Hertzig.
The Second World War (1939 – 1945) disrupted the work of evangelization. New missionaries could not come in and those already here could not go home on holidays.

The Death of Bishop Augustine Herman: Sunday, 8th April 1945 at 7.15p.m.
Bishop Augustine Herman was consecrated Bishop on June 13th 1923 in Strasbourg, France. On October 11, 1923 he landed on the shore of Gold Coast at Sekondi and went to present himself to Bishop Ignatius Hummel, Vicar Apostolic in charge of the Gold Coast and administrator of the Lower Volta Vicariate. He continued his journey by boat and landed in Lome, Togo on 23rd October 1923 and proceeded to Keta on the same day.
After three days, faithful to his Motto “As a Soldier of Christ”, Bishop Herman made a reconnaissance pastoral visit of 16 days on foot and bicycle from Keta through Anyako, Abor, Adaklu – Ahunda, Ho, Peki, Kpando and Kete – Krachi.

Bishop Herman’s apostolic work cannot be quantified neither by numerical facts nor statistics. In Bishop Lodonu’s words, Bishop Herman “transformed the whole of the Vicariate of the Lower Volta” (Information on Ho Diocese, Ghana 2006)
On March 16, 1945 Bishop Herman wrote to his flock: “as the bad state of my health does not allow me to continue the administration of the Vicariate, I give my resignation letter today and appoint Rev. Fr. James Verheugd to be pro-vicar with all powers attached to this title”.
He was booked to leave by boat to Europe from Lome on 8th April, 1945. He was given a grand farewell on Easter Monday, 2nd April 1945. In Lome, his condition became worse and was taken to the hospital on Saturday, 7th April 1945. His confrere Rev. Fr. Riebstein from the same town as Bishop Herman administered the Sacrament of the Sick.

Mr. Gerald Asomontsi of Teteman, the Bishop’s faithful Driver, Cook, Catechist and interpreter was by him praying when Bishop Augustine Herman died on the first Sunday of Easter, 8th April 1945 at 7.15 p.m. in Lome. The Body was brought to Keta on 9th April, 1945 and buried in the right side chapel of St. Michael’s Cathedral at Keta.
Bishop Augustine Herman was Bishop of the Lower Apostolic Vicariate for 22 years
(1923 – 1945).

About us

Ho Diocese is located in the Volta Region of Ghana and constitutes ten Administrative Districts, namely: Ho, Kpando and Hohoe municipal areas. Others include, North Dayi, South Dayi, Adaklu, Agortime-Ziope, Ho-West, Afadjato-South Districts and parts of Asuogyaman District in the Eastern Region.  [Read More]

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Patrons: Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Conception
Bishop: Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD.

Address: Bishop’s House Box HP 380, Ho (V.R.)
Phone: +233 54 313 0413
Email:  hodiocese@gmail.com or hodiocese@cbcgh.org

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