Accra, October 27, 2025
The Apostolic Nunciature in Accra came alive with colour, faith, and gratitude on Monday, October 27, as His Eminence Wilfrid Fox Cardinal Napier, O.F.M., the Papal Envoy to Cape Coast Archdiocese’s Double Jubilee, declared that “the Church in Ghana has a very bright future.”
The South African Prelate, who represented the Holy Father at the celebrations, was speaking at a spirited press conference attended by senior clergy, members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), and the media.
Cardinal Napier’s visit to Ghana formed part of the climax of the Double Jubilee celebrations — marking the 75th Anniversary of the Hierarchy of the Catholic Church in Ghana and the Universal Jubilee of Hope proclaimed by Pope Francis for the global Church.
The main Jubilee Mass was celebrated on Saturday, October 25, at St. Augustine’s College, Cape Coast, where an estimated 10,000 faithful and about 200 priests gathered in prayer and thanksgiving. The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference described the event as “a celebration for the entire Church in Ghana.”
History and Meaning
of the Jubilee
In April 1950, Pope Pius XII elevated the Diocese of Cape Coast to the dignity of a Metropolitan See and simultaneously created the Dioceses of Accra, Kumasi, Keta, and Tamale—establishing the hierarchical structure of the Catholic Church in Ghana. This historic act, now 75 years old, is what the Church celebrates as the birth of the hierarchy.
Although the Catholic faith in Ghana itself dates back 145 years—and will mark its 150th anniversary in 2030—this year’s Jubilee focused on the institutional and missionary maturity of the Church.
In its goodwill message, the Bishops’ Conference described the celebration as “a Jubilee for the entire Catholic Church in Ghana — a celebration of shared faith, heritage, and destiny,” adding that the chosen theme,“Pilgrims of Hope, Let Your Light Shine,” calls all Catholics to renewed zeal, conversion, and radiant witness.
‘A Church Alive with Faith’
At the press conference, H.E. Archbishop Julien Kaboré, Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, welcomed Cardinal Napier and commended the Ghanaian Church for its “strong bond with the Universal Church and enduring spirit of hope.”
Taking the podium to warm applause, Cardinal Napier, Archbishop Emeritus of Durban, expressed deep gratitude for the warmth and hospitality he had experienced since his arrival, noting the joy and faith he witnessed among Ghana’s priests, religious, and laity.
“With what I have seen — the flourishing of vocations, the strength of catechesis, and the active participation of the laity — the Church’s growth here has a very bright future,” he said.
The Cardinal explained that a Jubilee is a sacred time of grace:
“It invites us to look back with gratitude, renew our faith with courage, and look forward with hope.”
When asked about the Church’s role in promoting good governance and moral renewal, the Franciscan Prelate—known for his anti-apartheid advocacy—urged Catholics to remain true to the Gospel’s call to integrity and justice:
“Treat people with dignity. That is the starting point of all true development. The Church must stand with the poor and uphold integrity in every sphere of life.”
Cardinal Napier praised Ghana’s Catholic institutions for their leadership in education, health care, and social services, urging continued fidelity to the Church’s mission of service.
The press conference, which opened with a prayer by Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast, and closed with benediction by Cardinal Napier, drew participation from Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, GCBC President; Most Rev. Anthony Narh Asare, an Auxiliary Bishop of Accra; and representatives of the local and Catholic media.
‘A National Celebration of Faith’
In the words of the Bishops’ Conference, this Jubilee “transcends diocesan boundaries” and stands as “a commemoration of the Church in Ghana’s coming of age in faith, structure, and mission.”
As the Church in Ghana looks ahead to its 150th anniversary in 2030, the Papal Envoy’s visit has rekindled confidence that the same faith which took root in Cape Coast 145 years ago continues to inspire a future filled with light, unity, and hope.
