Members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) in the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom have been encouraged to allow the peace of Christ to reign in their lives and to manifest the presence of Christ to the world.
Very Rev. Fr. Bernard Adjei Appiah, SVD, Cathedral Administrator of the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral and Chaplain for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Donkorkrom made this call during a three-day renewal programme held on the theme: The Christ in You (Colossians 1:27b).
Delivering the homily at the Thanksgiving Mass, Fr. Adjei Appiah emphasised that it was the peace of Christ that enabled the early Church to overcome internal divisions and misunderstandings. He explained that the Apostles allowed this peace to work through them, leading to unity and harmony in the early Christian community.
“The Apostles would not have succeeded in resolving their issues without the peace of Christ. It is this same peace that every Christian today must manifest to the world. Just as respect is reciprocal, peace is also reciprocal. If you don’t let your neighbour have peace, you won’t have it either,” he said.
Fr. Adjei Appiah further emphasised the importance of the Sacraments as a means of making Christ known to the world. He reminded participants that the Sacraments are divine gifts – not earned, but freely given – with spiritual effects that unite believers with Christ and His Church.
“The Sacraments have visible signs but invisible graces,” he said. “They are not just rituals but channels through which we grow in Christlikeness and deepen our communion with Him and the Church. A true follower of Christ cannot separate from His Church – the two are inseparable,” he stressed
He added that living the sacramental life requires daily commitment and is not limited to occasional events. The sacraments, he said, help Christians to love and serve others, foster a spirit of prayer and openness to God’s grace, and empower them to live out their mission in both the Church and the world.
Speaking on the topic: The Christ in You Must Manifest, Rev. Fr. Matthew Akakpo, Associate Priest at the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, highlighted key virtues that should be evident in the life of every Christian. He pointed to the fruits of the Spirit – love, forgiveness, fortitude, patience, joy, peace, kindness, and temperance as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23, as vital signs of a true Christian witness.
He warned against the works of the flesh, such as fornication, sorcery, and impurity (Gal. 5:19-21), urging participants to shun these behaviours if they desire to be authentic signs of Christ to the world. He also stressed the need for Christians to live boldly, without fear, and to proclaim the power in the name of Jesus in their daily lives.
Fr. Akakpo further urged Christians to be docile to the Holy Spirit, reminding them that the early Church accomplished great deeds because they allowed the Spirit to lead them.
Also present were Rev. Fr. Gabriel Dabo-Gyamfi, Associate Priest at the St. Fidelis Catholic Church in Tease, members of the Vicariate CCR Service Team, and the faithful.
From Fr. Akakpo (DEPSOCOM, Donkorkrom)
