Most Rev. Michael Elue, Bishop of Issele-Uku Diocese in Nigeria, has urged Catholics all over the World, to cherish and acknowledge the important role Catechists play in the Church.
He said Catechists were among the key players in the Church because they teach the faith, prepare the faithful for the reception of the Sacraments and help in the creation of new Churches.
The Bishop said this in an interview with The Catholic Standard at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Accra recently when he accompanied about 100 Catechists and their Chaplains from Nigeria to Ghana for an Exchange Programme.
The theme for the Programme was “Jesus Walks with the Catechists, Speaks to them, and breathes with them…”.
Bishop Elue urged Catechists to recognize their work in the Church as a way of securing their salvation, saying that their role in the Church was indispensable because “even the Priests and we, the Bishops, were taught by them”.
He advised them to see their work as a vocation and not expect to be paid, saying that it was their contribution to spreading God’s Word.
He commended Catholicsthem for their commitment and dedication to bring the good news of salvation to all, making special reference to the old and uneducated who dedicated almost all their time to the service of God and the Church.
The Prelate, who is the Episcopal Chairman of Religious Education, Cayechesis and Biblical Apostolate in Nigeria, expressed the hope that the Exchange Programme would encourage and reassure them especially in areas where they feel cheated and over-worked.
He entreated them to take advantage of the programme to ‘cross-fertilize’ ideas, encourage, relate with, share experiences and learn from one another.
Rev. Fr. Daniel Tettedji, who is in charge of the Accra Archdiocesan Catechists Association, described Catechists as the pride of the Church, saying that their role was paramount in the life of the Church.
He urged them to avail themselves of the opportunities the programme offered as they interacted and shared ideas and experiences.
Mr. Femi Adeojo, Co-ordinator of the Nigeria Catechists Association (NCA), said the exchange programme, initiated by the NCA, was an attempt to establish a relationship between Catechists from different backgrounds and cultures and to experience the Ghanaian culture in the celebration of the Liturgy.
He added that it was a process of formation for the Catechists and an avenue for growth and spiritual upliftment, noting that it offered an opportunity for Catechists from both countries to pray together, learn from each other and socialize.
Very Rev. Fr. Francis Adoboli, Vicar General of the Accra Archdiocese, welcomed the delegation on behalf of Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra and commended them for the initiative, expressing the hope that the programme would be beneficial and help them to forge ahead in their ministry.
Activities that marked the six-day programme included talks on Catechist and Socio-Economic Challenge, Possible Way Out; Renewal of Trust in Catechetical Activity, the Prime Mission of the Church; Catechist of the 21st Century and Picking Catechetical Friends.
The delegates also visited the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) Secretariat in Accra and some tourist attraction sites in Ghana.
Present to welcome the delegates were members of the St. Francis of Assisi Nigerian Community, led by their President, Mr. Emmanuel Ibe.
A welcome Mass was held in the small Chapel of the Holy Spirit Cathedral, presided over by Bishop Elue.
*The Bishop and Priests with the Catechists.
By Angela Ofosu Boateng and Kwadwo Kusi-Appiah
