By M.E. SNAM
The Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Rev. Jean-Marie Speich, has asked the Forum of Papal Knights and Dames in Ghana to help Priests to lead good and holy lives.
He made the call at a Retreat he conducted for members of the Forum at the Apostolic Nunciature on Saturday, November 11, 2017.
According Archbishop Speich, it was the duty of the Papal Knights and Dames and indeed, all Christ’s faithful to help the Priests to be holy so that they in turn, would help the lay faithful to be holy.
“Do not be shy but be open and speak openly to them even as you respect your culture. We need holy Priests and you are participating in this holy Priesthood”, he stressed.
He also asked the Forum to contribute in building dynamic Parishes centred on Christ and not on any human being.
The Nuncio based his Retreat on the life of St. Martin of Tours on whose Feast Day the Retreat took place. He described St. Martin as a man of courage and of strong character who offered himself for the service of God and the poor.
He urged the Knights and Dames to emulate the Saint’s life of prayer to be in constant communion with God.
Archbishop Speich referred to a number of statements Pope Francis made during the first three weeks of his Pontificate which gives a better explanation of God’s mercy for mankind and teaches the need for Christians to be merciful to their brothers and sisters.
Activities to mark the day-long retreat which was climaxed with a Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Archbishop Speich included Prayers, Spiritual Conferences, Rosary Prayers and Vespers.
The Mass was also said for former Apostolic Nuncios to Ghana who have passed on, Archbishop Speich’s late mother and departed Papal Knights and Dames.
It was attended by 19 members of the Forum including Sir Ambassador James Bebaako-Mensah, Sir Samuel Asubonteng, Sir Dr. Anthony Annan Prah, Dame Dr. Cecilia Kwofie and Sir. Dr. John Baptist Wilson.
Others were Sir. Raphael Nwosu, Dame Josephine Sey, Sir Victor Quaye Foli, Dame E. Awuah-Darko, Dame Afua Amo-Adare, Sir Charles Ashun, Dame Theresa Phoebe and Sir Emmanuel Tetteh.
The rest were Sir Raphael Kwasi Tufuor, Sir Isaac Fritz Andoh, Dame Isabella Abban, Sir Charles Adjei, Sir Col. (Rtd.) Kwaku Takyi, Dame Agatha Bonney and Sir Ben Assorow.
Before the Retreat, Sir Asubonteng on behalf of members of the Forum, commended the Nuncio for organising the Retreat and recalled that the first of its kind was held in September 2015 at the Apostolic Nunciature, Accra.
After the Retreat, members celebrated the birthday and 11th Anniversary of investiture of Sir Ambassador Bebaako-Mensah as a Papal Knight which coincided with the Retreat. Lunch for the Retreat and celebration was provided by Sir Nwosu.
Dame Abban thanked the Nuncio for bringing members together for the spiritual exercise.
The next Retreat will be held next year at a date to be determined by the Nuncio.
The Forum of Papal Knights and Dames was formed in 2008 to bring together all Papal Knights and Dames in the country to enable them co-ordinate their activities and communicate among themselves. It was inaugurated by His Eminence Peter Cardinal Appiah Turkson, Prefect of Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development at the Vatican.
The Forum, which is a recognised body in the Church, maintains close filial relationship with the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference and the Apostolic Nunciature.
