On August, 24, 2024, God blessed the Provincial Custody of St. Anthony of Padua in Ghana by adding new laborers to His harvest as seven friars were ordained to the priesthood of Christ. The event took place at the Sacred Heart Parish Church in the Penkwase neighborhood of Sunyani, Ghana.
The friars were ordained by the Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi GYAMFI, Bishop of Sunyani. In his homily, he advised the friars to beware of spiritual worldliness―when priests and religious develop a hunger and desire for social clout. He further admonished the friars to always be vigilant and to seek the grace of God in order to track down any sign of this spiritual worldliness and work on it. In addition, he asked them to cherish their vocation and the privilege they have received in being called and admitted to the priesthood of Christ.
In all, nine deacons were ordained to the priesthood that day. Seven of them were our friars and the remaining two were Salesians of Don Bosco. Our newly ordained confreres are Friars Samuel Kofi ANNOBIL; Pius Asom ELLERN; Emmanuel SOMIAH; Wisdom AMEKPORDI; Isaac Naagyie ABEIFA; Richard ANNOBIL; and Joseph Kweku Zumetee PUO. In attendance was the Custos, Friar Vitus Edem Yao MENSAH; the Assistant General for the African Federation of Conventual Franciscans (AFCOF), Friar Anthony Bezo KUTIERO; friars; the parents of the new priests; parishioners from our various parishes; and some friends and relatives of the newly ordained. The Custos expressed his gratitude to the bishop and encouraged the newly ordained friars to enjoy their ministry and to work with zeal and a new passion for God in his vineyard. We congratulate our brothers and wish them the very best in their ministry as priests.
Friar Francis Pascal AFFUM, Custodial Secretary
