From Msgr. Stephen Ntim
The late Rev. Fr. Michael Schultheis, SJ, a Jesuit Priest of the Province of Oregon, US, ordained in 1965, was the first President (Vice Chancellor) appointed by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference to head the then newly- established Catholic University College of Ghana (CUCG), Fiapre, from 2003 to 2006.
He died in Monrovia, Liberia and was buried in Cape Coast, at the Claver Jesuit House Cemetery in Brafoyaw, Cape Coast.
The Requiem Mass which took place at the Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 4th Ridge, Cape Coast, was attended by both the Academic and Administrative staff of CUCG, led by the current Vice Chancellor, Professor Daniel Obeng-Ofori, Students, Alumni and the Pax Romana Choir to pay their last respect to their founding President.
In a very inspiring and passionate tribute, CUCG described the late Fr. Schultheis as a distinguished Professor, Academic and a Scholar with impeccable credentials and ‘yet a very simple man, unassuming, considerate, generous, a deep thinker, a silent mover, sociable, humble, hardworking and above all a very dedicated Priest deeply committed to the Church and its mission of evangelization through education’.
He was not just a President of the University College but a father, a brother, a counsellor who wanted nothing but the good of his students and staff.
He left his end-of-service benefits to the University College to be used as a revolving fund for scholarship for brilliant but needy students.
During his tenure, CUCG was the fastest growing private University College in Ghana.
In attendance was also a large number of Priests and Religious from across the length and breadth of Ghana, Liberia and Nigeria. The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) was well represented.
Most Rev. Philip Naameh,, Archbishop of Tamale and President of the GCBC, presided over the Mass with Most Rev. Matthias Nketsiah, Archbishop of Cape Coast; Most Rev. Joseph Essien, Bishop of Wiawso; Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani; Most Rev. Peter Atuahene, Bishop of Goaso and Most Rev. Peter Paul Angkyier, Bishop of Damongo concelebrating.
The others were represented by their Vicars General. The Catholic University Pax Romana Choir sang to the admiration of all, especially the good old Latin Missa Angelis
The late Fr. Schultheis was in Ghana last December during the Christmas recess and visited Sunyani and interacted with some academic staff of CUCG.
He had always kept contact with many of the Alumni who passed through his hands through social media and in Accra, he had lunch with some of them.
He was 84, born on May 9, 1932 and died peacefully on April 10, 2017 in his sleep, just few weeks to have celebrated his 85th birthday.
May the soul of Fr. Schultheis and the souls of all the faithful departed REST IN PERFECT PEACE, AMEN!
