From Damian Avevor
12 July, 2016
Days after the burial of Most Rev. Thomas Kwaku Mensah, Archbishop Emeritus of Kumasi, the about 2,000 mourners and sympathizers who attended the funeral on Tuesday, May31, are still in a state of disbelief about his sudden death.
The mourners were afforded the opportunity to pay their last respect to the late Archbishop when the body was laid in state at the St. Peter’s Minor Basilica from May 30 to the early mornings of May 31.
The news of the demise of the Archbishop was announced on Sunday, April 10, 2016to the Catholic faithful in Ghana and abroad, which was received with shock and disbelief by the lay faithful of his Archdiocese, Ghana and the Vatican.
Archbishop Mensah died at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) after a short illness.
A Vigil Mass on Monday, May 30, presided over by Most Rev. Gabriel Justice Anokye, Metropolitan Archbishop of Kumasi, was attended by hundreds of people from all walks of life who filled the Minor Basilica to capacity.
In a short homily, Archbishop Anokye described his predecessor as a man of solid faith, who was a devout and committed Christian.
He said Archbishop Mensah was a humble and hardworkingPastor who had made significant contributions to the growth of the universal Church, Ghana and the society.
The solemn burial Mass on Tuesday, May 31, which took place at the Kumasi Jubilee Park, was concelebrated by 19 Bishops and about 500 Priests from all over the country, with Archbishop Anokye presiding.
Among the Prelates were Most Revs. Jean Marie Speich, Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana; Joseph Osei-Bonsu, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference; Gregory Ebo Kpiebaya, Archbishop Emeritus of Tamale; Hilary Paul OdiliOkeke, Bishop of Nnewi; William Avenya, Bishop Gboko, both in Nigeria and Peter Kwasi Sarpong, Archbishop Emeritus of Kumasi, who preached the homily.
Present to bid farewell to Archbishop Mensah were the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and his entourage, Mr. John Alexander Ackon, Ashanti Regional Minister, who represented President John DramaniMahama; Mr. Frank Agyekum, who represented former President John Agyekum Kufuor, and Regional Security Officers.
Also present were Religious leaders the Christian Council of Ghana, the Regional Chief Imam, Papal Knights and Dames, Knights and Ladies of Marshall, Knights and Ladies of St. John international, Christian Mothers, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus.
In a brief word, the Asantehene said the demise of Archbishop Mensah was a great loss to the Catholic Church and the Asante Kingdom, describing him as a true Pastor of the Church who extended his love of peace beyond all boundaries.
There were several tributes including that of Pope Francis sent by the Secretary of State, Cardinal PietroParolin, the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples at the Vatican, Apostolic Nunciature, the GCBC, the Kumasi Archdiocese and the family.
Others were from the CARITA Africa, Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), Regional Conference of West Africa (RECOWA-CERAO), the Diocese of Gboko, Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, Anglican Diocese of Kumasi, ClaretianMissionaries, and St. Gregory the Great Provincial Seminary.
After final commendation by Bishop Osei-Bonsu, the simple casket containing the mortal remains of ArchbishopMensah was then conveyed in a procession from the Jubilee Parkto the St. Peter’s Minor Basilica for interment.
Archbishop Mensah was ordained into the Priesthood on June 03, 1973, and appointed as the first Bishop of Obuasi on March 3, 1995; ordained on May 28, 1995 and installed on June 3, 1995.
He was appointed the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kumasi by Pope Benedict XVI on March 26, 2008, installed on May 3, 2008 and retired as Archbishop onMay 15, 2012.
