The Accra Catholic Archdiocese on Sunday climaxed its 120th anniversary celebration in Accra with a church service at the Black Stars Square in Accra, on the theme: “Honouring the, Past; Celebrating the Present; Building the Future.”
The celebration was attended by President John Dramani Mahama, former President John Agyekum Kufuor, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament and Members of the Diplomatic Corps.
The event was a prelude to the 125th anniversary that would be celebrated in 2018 to mark the planting of the Catholic faith in the then Accra Province of the Gold Coast.
The celebration also marked Christ the King feast, which climaxes the Catholic annual Calendar.
Some of the activities that marked the 120th Anniversary celebration included spiritual exercises, retreats, and pilgrimages to a number of grottos, talks and teachings on the Catholic faith and doctrine as well as physical and social activities.
The Archdiocese covers the Greater Accra, Koforidua Diocese and Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate.
President Mahama called for closer partnership between the state and the church to speed up socio-economic development.
He said such partnerships would also uplift the spiritual needs of Ghanaians.
President Mahama commended the Catholic Church for its immense contribution in the establishment of health facilities, educational institutions and human rights advocacy.
He said: ” Am told in the Archdiocese alone, the Catholic Church has 54 kindergarten schools, 56 primary schools, 50 junior high schools, nine senior high schools and one university college, which is very meaningful to our growth and development.”
Most Reverend Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, Archbishop of the Accra diocese called for selflessness among the Catholic faithful in replication of Jesus Christ, who had so much power to save others but refused to save himself.
He said although it is difficult for Christians to find themselves in the shoes of Christ a little commitment from the faithful could be significant in the development in every part of the country.
Archbishop Palmer- Buckle called for love and unity amongst Ghanaians, the ingredients, which he said are vital for the socio- economic and political advancement of the country.
He appealed to Christians to avoid anything that could push the country into unacceptable standards.
Archbishop Palmer- Buckle led the congregation to pray for the church globally, the nation, as well as the President and others in leadership positions.
Most Reverend Jean-Marie Speich, Apostolic Nuncio advised Christians to allow the celebration to inspire them to reconcile with God and themselves.
