Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD, Bishop of Ho, has been appointed by the Holy Father Pope Francis as the Apostolic Administrator of the Keta-Akatsi Diocese.
The appointment follows the Pope’s acceptance of the resignation from pastoral care of the Diocese by Most Rev. Anthony Adanuty in accordance with Canon 401 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law.
Bishop Adanuty, now Emeritus, was born May 11, 1940 at Kpandu and ordained Priest on July 31, 1966.
He was elected Bishop on December 19, 1994, consecrated Bishop on May 28, 1995, and Enthroned Bishop June 10, 1995.
With his retirement after 21 years of Episcopacy, Bishop Adanuty is still the Vice President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) until elections are held during this year’s Plenary Assembly of the GCBC in Tamale.
Bishop Fianu’s appointment was announced on April 7, 2016 at the Christ the King Cathedral at Akatsi by Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, Archbishop of Accra on behalf of the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Rev. Jean Marie Speich. It was simultaneously made in Rome.
The Cathedral was filled to capacity by all the Priests, and Religious of the Diocese as well as some lay faithful including the Chairmen of the Pastoral Councils in the from Parishes in the Dioceses.
Archbishop Buckle stated that until the appointment of a new Bishop, Bishop Fianu takes over the entire administration of the Church in the Keta-Akatsi Diocese.
He said all positions held by Priests and Religious would be maintained until the Apostolic Administrator gave directives.
In a response to his additional responsibility, Bishop Fianu said that although he was just six months old as a Bishop of Ho trying to familiarise himself as the Shepherd, he could not but to accept the Holy Fathers appointment.
He pledged his readiness to execute the responsibility assigned to him and hoped that the period of holding the fort will be a short one, asking for the support and prayers from the Priest, Religious and the lay faithful of Diocese.
Msgr. Peter Huletey, a Senior Priest of the Diocese thanked Archbishop Palmer-Buckle for announcement and assured Bishop Fianu that he was wholeheartedly accepted by all the Priests, Religious and the lay faithful.
He pledged the Diocese’s loyalty to him in the discharge of his duties.
Bishop Fianu was appointment to take over the See of Ho on July 14, 2015.On October 3, 2015, he took canonical possession of the Ho Diocese as its second Bishop after his consecration and installation.
On March 22, 2016, Bishop Fianu presided over the chrism Mass for the Keta-Akatsi Diocese at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, Sogakope-Agorkpo.
By Cephas Afornu and Damian Avevor
