The Most Reverend Philip Naameh, Catholic Archbishop of Tamale, has stated that the events in La Cote d’Ivoire should make it clear that worldly ambitions of absolute power, wealth, and the exclusion of others from the common good can never achieve reconciliation, justice and peace.
“It is only when we can demonstrate in our lives that without amassing wealth, nor inserting ourselves into intrigues for power, even if that is only ecclesiastical power, we can still be happy and fulfilled people that we can stand out as credible instruments of reconciliation, justice and peace”, he said.
Archbishop Naameh said this at the 23rd National Congress of the National Union of Ghana Diocesan Priests’ Association (NUGDPA) in Tamale on Wednesday.
The three-day Congress which is on the theme: “Reconciliation, justice and peace: the deepest aspiration of the catholic priest”, brought together over 400 diocesan priests from all over the country and a delegation from Nigeria to reflect on the church’s contribution to the search for reconciliation and peace.
The theme for the Congress was inspired by the topic of the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops held in the Vatican in 2009 under the theme: “The Church in Africa in service to reconciliation, justice and peace. You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world” (Matt 5:13-14).
“If mankind live as people of the world, we will be powerless in converting the world and therefore ineffective instruments of reconciliation, justice and peace.” Archbishop Naameh said.
The Most Reverend Charles Palmer-Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, noted that the work of reconciliation went beyond relations among persons and peoples and extended itself to all creation.
“In fact, through Jesus Christ, God the Father has reconciled all things to himself, the things of heaven and the things of the earth”, the Archbishop said.
He urged all priests to be ambassadors of God’s reconciliation and justice in Christ Jesus and in this way bring peace upon Gods people.
Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba, Northern Regional Minister, noted with regret that in spite of the proliferation of churches in the country, society was still plagued with hatred, injustices and conflicts and urged the church to wage a relentless war on moral decadence.
He commended the Catholic Church for its numerous interventions in the areas of education and health in the country but urged it to make such facilities available in the rural areas also.