By DEPSOCOM WIAWSO
The Catholic Bishop of Wiawso Diocese, Most Rev. Samuel Nkuah-Boateng, has called on five newly ordained priests to embrace humility as the hallmark of their priestly vocation, urging them to dedicate their lives to the selfless service of God and His people.
Delivering the homily during the Priestly Ordination Mass, Bishop Nkuah-Boateng reminded the ordinands that the priesthood is a divine calling that demands total commitment, faithful witness, and humble service. He emphasized that every priest is called not to seek honour or personal recognition but to imitate Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, who came to serve rather than to be served.
The Bishop’s message, themed “Live with Humility and Serve with Humility,” resonated throughout the liturgical celebration as he encouraged the new priests to remain prayerful, obedient, and faithful to the mission entrusted to them by the Church.
(Seminarians congratulating the newly ordained Priests)
Reflecting on the first reading from Jeremiah 1:4–9, Bishop Nkuah-Boateng noted that God calls and equips those He chooses. Like the prophet Jeremiah, he said, the newly ordained priests have been consecrated by God and sent forth to proclaim His Word with courage and conviction.
(Newly Ordained Priests, from left to right: Rev. Fr. Prince Assaw, Rev. Fr. Israel Anthony Assaw, Rev. Fr. Christian Asare, Rev. Fr. Julius Arthur-Mintah, and Rev. Fr. Lawrence Arthur)
Drawing from 1 Peter 5:1–4, the Bishop urged them to shepherd the flock of Christ willingly, generously, and with genuine concern for the spiritual well-being of the faithful. He cautioned them against pride, materialism, and the pursuit of power, stressing that true greatness in the priesthood is measured by faithful and humble service.
(A cross section of the Catholic Women Association and St. Teresa of the Child Jesus Society)
Preaching from the Gospel of John 20:19–22, where the risen Christ breathes the Holy Spirit upon His disciples, the Bishop reminded the new priests that their ministry is sustained by the power of the Holy Spirit and therefore there is no need to entertain fear since their ministry is accompanied by the omnipresence of Christ. He encouraged them to rely on God’s grace in preaching the Gospel, celebrating the Sacraments, and extending God’s mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
He further urged them to become priests after the heart of Christ by showing compassion to the poor, accompanying the sick and suffering, promoting unity within the Church, and living lives of integrity and holiness.
The colourful and prayerful celebration attracted hundreds of clergy, religious, family members, parishioners, and faithful from across the Diocese of Wiawso and beyond, who gathered to witness the joyous occasion and offer prayers for the newly ordained priests.
(Bishops and Clergy in attendance at the ordination ceremony)
The ordination marks another significant milestone in the life of the Diocese of Wiawso as the Church continues to receive new labourers for the Lord’s vineyard.
Concluding his homily, Bishop Nkuah-Boateng encouraged the new priests to remain steadfast in their vocation, reminding them that a fruitful priestly ministry is built not on status or authority but on humility, love, sacrifice, and faithful service to God and His people.