Most Rev. Joseph Afrifa-Agyekum, DD. STD, Chief Shepherd of the Koforidua Diocese, on Saturday, October 3, ordained three priests for the Diocese in a colourful ceremony.
The ceremony, held at the St. Rose’s Senior High in the Koforidua Diocese saw priests numbering over 40, Religious, lay faithful and well-wishers within and outside the newly ordained priests’ immediate environment gracing the ceremony.
“YOU ARE REMINDED OF THE GREATEST IMPORTANCE THAT MOTHER CHURCH ATTACHES TO THE PROMISE OF RESPECT AND OBEDIENCE”
Rev. Msgr. Francis Twum- Barimah, Vicar General of the Koforidua Diocese presented the three candidates; Rev. Martin Delali Atitson, Rev. George Yeboah and Rev. Samuel Eli Adadey to the Most Rev. Joseph Afrifa-Agyekum, DD. STD, Chief Shepherd of the Koforidua Diocese to be ordained priests.
The Ordaining Prelate, Most Rev. Afrifa-Agyekum, in his Homily charged the newly ordained priests to proclaim the word of God with all seriousness and stressed that failure on the part of the priests to do so “has serious consequences”.
- “THE EVENTS WAS GRACED BY PRIESTS, RELIGIOUS, LAY FAITHFUL AND WELL-WISHERS WITH ALL HEALTH PROTOCOLS DULY IN PLACE
- MOST REV. JOSEPH AFRIFA-AGYEKUM, DD. STD, CATHOLIC BISHOP OF KOFORIDUA DIOCESE
- “ST. ROSE’S SENIOR HIGH IS AN ALL-FEMALE SECOND CYCLE HIGH SCHOOL IN AKWATIA IN THE KOFORIDUA DIOCESE, THRIVING ON AN UNPARALLED EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE WITH A CATHOLIC FLAIR”
On his part, the newly ordained Priests are to “remember to impart the word of God to anyone that you have received, with joy from your heart, meditating on the law of the lord”
“Make sure that you believe what you preach and that you will also teach what yo believe, and above all practice what you preach”, he admonished.
Bishop Afrifa also reminded the Priests “of the greatest importance that Mother Church attaches to the promise of respect and obedience to church authorities” and encouraged them to fulfill their priestly vows in line with Mother Church’s will.
He emphasized the need for mutual respect between priests and the lay faithful as they set out to proclaim the word.
He said “I urge you to show respect to the lay faithful, the parishes that you are going to be assigned to minister to.
See you them as your parents, your brothers, your sisters, and do not forget that they knew you before you became priests. Do no go and throw your weight about”.
The newly ordained Priests were charged to put their salvation in line as they preach the word of God, celebrate the Sacrament and reach out to the world.
The priests on their parts also indicated their readiness to serve Holy Mother Church in all humility and aptness in the thick of the world’s pressing demands.
Rev. Fr. George Yeboah on behalf of the newly ordained priests affirmed their commitment and noted that ” being accorded with the second degree of the holy order “is the day they have been waiting for” notwithstanding the present pandemic the world battles.
He thanked all who have journeyed with them from the commencement of their spiritual journey and extended their gratitude to the ordaining Bishop- Most Rev. Joseph Afrifa-Agyekum
REV. FR. MARTIN DELALI ATITSON- PROFILE
Rev. Fr. Martin was born to Mr. Samuel W. C. Atitson (of blessed memory) and Mrs. Mary Esther Kumah-Fenu at Agomanya. He is the first of the three children of his parents but has other half and step-siblings. He is a parishioner at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Nsawam.
Rev. Martin began his basic education at Fr. Wieggers R/C Primary and JHS, Nsawam, and then to Pope John SHS & Minor Seminary, for his secondary education in the year 2006.
He gained admission to St. Teresa Minor Seminary, Amisano – Elmina in 2010, continued to St. Paul’s Catholic Seminary, Sowutuom in 2011, and St. Peter’s Regional Seminary, Pedu – Cape Coast in 2015 for his four years theological studies and a year of pastoral assignment. His seminary formation spanned the period between 2010 and 2020.
He was ordained a deacon by Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah – Agyekum on 19th January 2020 at St. George Cathedral, Koforidua. His hobbies: reading and writing, watching football and playing basketball, listening to music and playing the keyboard, visiting interesting sites, and like for pets.
REV. FR. GEORGE YEBOAH- PROFILE
Rev. Fr. George Yeboah was born at Boadua to Mr. George Yeboah–Mankah and Mrs. Bertha Yeboah. He is the last born of five children. He hails from Boadua in the Eastern Region and is a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, Boadua, an outstation of St. Anthony Parish, Akwatia.
Education: St. Dominic Roman Catholic School, Akwatia for basic education and Suhum Secondary Technical School for his secondary education.
Rev. George gained admission to St. Teresa Minor Seminary, Amisano – Elmina in 2010, continued to St. Paul’s Catholic Seminary, Sowutuom in 2011 and St. Peter’s Regional Seminary, Pedu – Cape Coast in 2015 for his four years theological studies and a year of pastoral assignment. His seminary formation spanned the period between 2010 and 2020.
He was ordained a deacon by Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah – Agyekum on 19th January 2020 at St. George Cathedral, Koforidua. He enjoys reading, working on and with computers, listening to music, playing volleyball, and visiting interesting sites/scenes.
REV. FR. SAMUEL ELI ADADEY- PROFILE
Rev. Fr. Samuel was born at Akyem Akroso to Mr. Michael Kofi Adadey and Mad. Christiana Obeng (Deceased). He has thirteen (13) siblings altogether. He is a native of Akyem Akroso and a parishioner of Our lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Akyem Akroso.
He had his basic education at Community Preparatory School, Akyem Akroso, and Presbyterian ‘A’ Junior High School, Akyem Oda. He then went to St. Francis Senior High and Technical School for his secondary education and completed in 2009.
Rev. Samuel gained admission to St. Teresa Minor Seminary, Amisano – Elmina in 2010, continued to St. Paul’s Catholic Seminary, Sowutuom in 2011 and St. Peter’s Regional Seminary, Pedu – Cape Coast in 2015 for his four years theological studies and a year of pastoral assignment. His seminary formation spanned the period between 2010 and 2020.
He was ordained a deacon by Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah – Agyekum on 19th January 2020 at St. George Cathedral, Koforidua.
Playing and watching soccer games, watching movies and reading are his hobbies.
Source: AGNUS-DEI MEDIA