Most Rev. Richard Baawobr M.Afr., was consecrated and installed the Fourth Bishop of the Wa Diocese on Saturday, May 7, 2016, at the Wa Sports Stadium by His Eminence Peter Cardinal Appiah Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace at the Vatican as the Principal Consecrator.
He was supported by Most Rev. Philip Naameh, Metropolitan Archbishop of Tamale and Most Rev. Jean-Marie Speich, Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana as co-consecrators.
The consecration Mass was concelebrated by all Prelates in Ghana including Most Rev. Gregory Ebo Kpiebaya, Emeritus Archbishop of Tamale and over 100 Priests.
The solemn celebration started with the presentation of the Bishop for ordination by two Priests after which the Papal Bull appointing Bishop Baawobr as the Chief Shepherd of Wa was read in English and Dagaare.
Cardinal Turkson and the two co-consecrators laid their hands in turns, followed by the other Bishops.
The new Bishop was presented with the Book of the Gospels and his head anointed, followed by the investiture of His Symbols of Office – a Ring, Mitre and Pastoral Staff.
The Cardinal was assisted by Archbishops Naameh and Speich, Most Rev. Paul Bemile, Emeritus Bishop of Wa and Most rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) to place Bishop Baawobr on his Cathedra or throne amidst loud applauds.
He was welcomed into the fraternity of Bishops with a hug from his colleagues. Priests and Religious paid homage to him while dignitaries at the ceremony congratulated him.
In a homily, Archbishop Naameh said the appointment and consecration of Bishops was the means by which the Catholic Church continues to provide for the leadership for God’s people for a defined area.
He said it must be an occasion to rekindle the sentiments of gratitude to God for what He had done through the Church and for the Priests and faithful to rededicate themselves to God.
The Archbishop advised Bishop Baawobr and all Bishops to be conversant with the forms of spiritual sickness that could assail their people and provide solutions to that specific ailment.
He said the Bishop was expected to preach the Word, provoke, rebuke and exhort the people of God with endurance.
In a welcome address, Bishop Bemile called on the Clergy, Religious and the faithful to accept the leadership and guidance of their new Shepherd, adding that the biggest welcome they could give him was to go beyond the jubilation and colourful ceremony to collaborate with him in service to God and humanity.
Archbishop Speich in a Goodwill Message, commended Bishop Bemile for his ministry in the past 21 years as the Chief Shepherd of the Diocese, thanking the emeritus Bishop for his friendship and wise counsel to him (Archbishop Speich).
He wished Bishop Baawobr well in his Episcopal journey and was confident that he would be a Good Shepherd to the people of Wa.
Bishop Osei-Bonsu on behalf of GCBC, expressed gratitude to Bishop Emeritus Bemile for his many years of dedicated service and wished him a happy and restful retirement.
He welcomed the new Bishop to the fraternity of the Conference, expressing the hope that with his vast knowledge and experience, he would make invaluable contributions to the Conference as well as bring new insights to its work and discussions.
Bishop Osei-Bonsu entreated the Priests and faithful to accord him the needed assistance and support for the smooth administration of the Diocese.
Rev. Fr. Jos Van Boxel, M.Afr., First Assistant General of the Missionaries of Africa, said a large number of his confreres at the Ordination was a sign of their appreciation to the new Bishop for his contributions to the Congregation, saying that they were proud of him.
He advised Bishop Baawobr to be cautious of the traps of power, possessions and pride but remain a Missionary at heart, describing him as a man of sound judgment, loving, caring, prayerful and determined person.
Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur, Guest of Honour at the Ordination, encouraged the new Bishop to speak the unadulterated Word of God without fear or favour and also intercede for the nation.
He stressed the need for moral and religious leadership which he said bring peace and harmony to the country.
Bishop Baawobr in brief remarks, expressed appreciation to the Vice President, Cardinal Turkson, Archbishops Speich and Naameh as well as all the Prelates, Priests and all who contributed to the success of the celebration.
He lauded his predecessors for their vision, mission and hardwork which had inured to the development of the Diocese, promising to continue with their good work.
His motto is: Servus Misericordiae Dei (Servant of the Mercy of God).
The Ordination was attended by hundreds of Catholics and non-Catholics including government functionaries and Chiefs.
Bishop Baawobr was appointed by Pope Francis on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 to succeed Bishop Bemile, who had retired after attaining the canonical age of 75.
Until his appointment, the new Bishop was Superior-General of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) in Rome.
He was born on June 21, 1959 in Tom-Zendagangn, Ko in the Nandom District of the Wa Diocese. He had his Primary Education at Tom-Zendagangn from 1965 to 1972 and continued at the St. Francis Xavier Minor Seminary at Wa from 1971 to 1977. He had his Secondary Education at the Nandom Secondary School.
In 1979, he went to the St. Victor’s Major Seminary at Tamale as a Diocesan Seminarian. Feeling God’s call to be a Missionary, he joined the Society of Missionaries of Africa (M.Afr.) in 1981 after his Philosophical studies.
Fr. Baawobr had his Novitiate at Frieburg, Switzerland, from 1981 to 1982 and studied Theology at the Missionary Institute in London from 1982 to 1987.
He took his Missionary Oath on December 5, 1986 at St. Edward College, London, UK and was ordained a Priest at Ko on July 18, 1987.
He studied Biblical Exegesis from 1991 to 1996 at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome where he obtained a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture and a Doctorate Degree in Theology with specialization in Biblical Theology. He also trained in Ignatian Spirituality at Le Chateland in Lyon, France.
As a Religious, his appointments include: assistant Parish Priest at Kinshasa, DR Congo from 1987 to 1991; Formator of the Missionaries of Africa in Kahangala, Tanzania, from 1995 to 1999; Director of the Formation House of the Missionaries of Africa in Tolouse, France from 1999 to 2004.
He was the First Assistant General of the Missionaries of Africa from 2004 to 2010 and elected Superior General of the Society from 2010 to date and assumed the mantel of Chancellor of the Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies (PISAI).
The Wa Diocese since its creation on November 30, 1959, has had four Bishops – Most Revs. Peter Porekuu Dery of blessed memory, Gregory Ebo Kpiebaya, Paul Bemile, both Emeriti and Bishop Baawobr.
The Diocese has an area of 18, 476 square kilometers and a population of 800,000 out of which 341,000 are Catholics. It has 24 Parishes, 102 Priests (98 Diocesan and four Religious), 38 Religious Brothers, 147 Nuns and 27 Seminarians.
From Doreen Darko, Wa
