The Catholic Bishop of Ho, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD, has ordained two seminarians to the Transitional Diaconate at a solemn liturgical celebration marked by deep prayer, joy and thanksgiving for the gift of vocations to the Diocese of Ho.
The ordination Mass brought together clergy, religious, seminarians and close family members, all united in gratitude to God for the calling of the two candidates to sacred ministry.
The newly ordained deacons are Rev. Edmund Elorm Ackuaku of St. Augustine Parish, Hohoe, and Rev. Jude Tachie of Immaculate Conception Parish, Kpando.
Having successfully completed several years of rigorous spiritual, academic and pastoral formation, the candidates were formally presented to the Church and found worthy to serve as deacons. Their ordination marks a significant milestone on their journey towards the Holy Priesthood.
In his homily, Bishop Fianu explained the nature and importance of the diaconate in the life of the Church. He described the Transitional Diaconate as a preparatory stage on the path to priesthood and expressed the hope that, God willing, the newly ordained deacons would be ordained priests in the course of 2026, which remains the ultimate goal of their vocation and formation.
The Bishop also distinguished between transitional and permanent deacons. He explained that permanent deacons may be single or married men who do not intend to become priests but freely choose to serve the Church permanently in the diaconal ministry. Such deacons, he noted, usually continue in their professional occupations and are not ordinarily financially supported by the Church, with married deacons maintaining primary responsibility for their families.
Bishop Fianu described deacons as heralds of the Gospel, called to proclaim and live the Word of God in imitation of Christ. While this ministry is visibly expressed during the celebration of Mass through the proclamation of the Gospel, he emphasised that it must also be lived daily through humility, personal witness and dedicated service to God’s people.
He expressed gratitude to God for the gift of these vocations and encouraged the faithful to remain committed to nurturing and supporting future vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
The Bishop charged the newly ordained deacons to be true ministers of the Church, serving God and His people with dignity, humility and respect.
From Daniel Orlando, Ho
