By Damian Avevor
12 July 2016
The funeral of Most Rev. Thomas Kwaku Mensah, Archbishop Emeritus of Kumasi, on Tuesday, May 31, 2016, was marked with the outpouring of tributes which eulogized him asa simple and humble Priest, Bishop and Archbishop.
The mortal remains of Archbishop Mensah were laid to rest in the St. Peter’s Minor Basilica, after burial Mass at the Kumasi Jubilee Park, attended by about 2,000 mourners.
The unanimity and sincerity discernible in the various tributes outpoured on Archbishop Mensah, who died on Sunday April 10, are clear testimonies of a life well-lived by the late Archbishop.
The about 50 tributes published in the funeral brochure extolled the great virtues of the late Archbishop as a principled and disciplined man of God, who was very loving, down to earth and an encourager.
There were tributes from the Secretary of State at the Vatican on behalf of Pope Francis, the Apostolic Nunciature in Ghana, Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Kumasi Archdiocese, Caritas Internationalis and Africa; SECAM, RECOWA-CERAO, family, Catholic Dioceses of Nnewi and Gboko, Nigeria; Anglican Diocese of Kumasi; Claratian Missionaries, Sisters of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Knights and Ladies of Marshall, and the Kumasi Archdiocesan Sacred Heart Enthronement Centre.
Others were from the Legion of Mary, Daughters of the Most Holy Trinity (FST), St. Paul’s Seminary, Catholic Bible Society, Ghana, Kumasi Archdiocesan CYO, Obuasi Diocese, National Council of Catholic Women, St. Louis College of Education, Kumasi Archdiocesan Priests’ Association, Order of Preachers and the Kumasi Grand of Knights and Ladies of St. John International, Missio Aachen and St. Gregory the Great Seminary at Parkoso in Kumasi.
Individual tributes include Most Rev. Peter Kwasi Sarpong, Archbishop Emeritus of Kumasi, who preached the homily at the burial Mass; Most Rev. Gregory Ebo Kpiebaya, Archbishop Emeritus of Tamale; Most Rev. George Kocherry, former Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana; Fr. Jude Anyanwu, CMF; Rev. Msgr. Dr. Stephen Ntim, Nana Bowak, an Ex Seminarian; andKantinka Dr. Sir Kwame DonkohFordwor.
The tributes said he was a person of unswerving devotion to the Church and also committed to personal integrity and honesty because of his belief in the saying that “God did not call us to be successful but to be faithful.”
Another tribute praised him for demonstrating total understanding of the Catholic faith, a vast managerial and administrative experience and competence, a great zeal and commitment to work which could never be overlooked without recognition.
The Kumasi Archdiocese said “without hesitation or exaggeration, we can testify that the late Archbishop was a very simple, humble, hardworking and unassuming Pastor.”
“The Catholic Archdiocese of Kumasi has relished of his benefaction and generosity. These and many more qualities, values and activities of Archbishop Mensah converge to confirm that he indeed invested his whole life-time and talents, tactics and targets, leisure and pleasure, treasure and composure, all in full measure and without seizure- to advance the cause of humanity, mother Ghana and his Church,” the tribute added.
On behalf of the GCBC, its President, Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu praised their late brother for discharging his duties conscientiously and with diligence, saying that his contribution to the work of the Conference was very much appreciated.
“You laid a solid foundation both spiritually and materially for your successors to build upon and later as Archbishop of Kumasi
In his tribute, Archbishop Sarpong said Archbishop Mensah was noted for piety and personal spiritual exercise, so frank that many people called him “kanawu” (Say and die), adding that “Archbishop Mensah has set the pace for us to follow, whether we are lay faithful, Priests or Bishops.”
“If there is anything that his students did not like about him, it was his strictness, for which all of them after their Ordination to the Priesthood, have been grateful. He demonstrated his versatility beyond doubt whenever he held Diocesan or national positions.”
Archbishop Sarpong said his retirement could not prevent him from teaching Latin and Church History at the St. Gregory the Great Provincial Seminary at Parkoso, Kumasi, noting that he found time to attend all important activities such as Presbyteral Meetings, Priestly Recollections, Retreats, andPriestly Ordinations.
Archbishop Jean Marie Speich, Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana prayed that the Lord would be merciful to him and give him the reward for all the good services he had done while on earth especially in shepherding the Lord’s flock in Obuasi Diocese and Kumasi Archdiocese.
On his part, Archbishop Kocherry said he knew Archbishop Mensah as the Bishop of Obuasi, who was a loyal, faithful andgenerous Priest and Shepherd.
The FST Congregation noted that his kindness, generosity, obedience, humility and peaceful nature were evident to and admired by those who really knew the man, saying that “he was also a man who sought to bring peace and reconciliation wherever he found these lacking.”
