It was a beautiful and joyful day on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Madina, Accra, as family and well-wishers gathered to celebrate the diaconate ordination of five ordinands.

It was indeed a day of delight for the family members, friends, and parishioners of these five young men of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra who are as follows:

· Rev. Joy Senanu Kwamla Ofori-Kumeni (Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Madina),

· Rev. Solomon Yayra Xeflide (St. Agnes Catholic Church, Dodowa),

· Rev. Louis Mendy (Resurrection Parish),

· Rev. Dominic Kwame Adjei (St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Ashaley Botwe) and

· Rev. Gerald Owusu – Amankwatia (St. James Catholic Church, Osu).

The new Deacons were given the authority to perform various functions in the church which includes assisting the priest, proclaiming the Gospel, leading the prayer of the faithful, and assisting in the distribution of Holy Communion during Holy Mass. They may also preach the homily during Holy Mass.

As required by the Church, Deacons can perform the sacrament of Baptism, may witness at the sacrament of Holy Matrimony outside of Mass, may lead funeral rites outside Mass such as the final commendation at the gravesite or the reception of the body at a service in the funeral home, and may assist the priest at the Requiem Mass. They can also preside over various services such as Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, and they may give certain blessings.

However, Deacons cannot hear confession, give absolution, anoint the sick, or celebrate Mass.

Rev. Fr. Peter Kofi Atsu, the homilist, expressed gratitude to God for the life of the five young men, as well as to their parents and other stakeholders for supporting their wards’ decisions to embrace this life of service to the Church and humanity. He reminded the deacons that they were chosen by God to be Christ’s representatives on earth, and in light of this truth, St. Paul challenges them in the Second Reading of the day, to live lives worthy of the calling they have received. Fr. Atsu defined this as being humble, gentle, patient, understanding, and peaceful.

The Holy Mass, celebrated by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp in keeping with COVID 19 regulations, was attended by family and friends of the ordinands, classmates, Priests, and Religious Sisters as well as our lay collaborators from different parishes.

Source: Gerald Ekow Woode, Radio Angelus