Archbishop in Ghana Decries Same-sex Marriages, Ordains Five to Priesthood

CANAA || By Damian Avevor, Accra || 31 August 2015

Archbishop Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle of Accra in Ghana has decried the practice of homosexuality and lesbianism and the legalization of same-sex marriages in some Christian communities in the world, calling on Christians to stand firm against such practices.

The Archbishop made the lamentations on Saturday, August 29 while presiding over the Holy Eucharist at his Cathedral in Accra, during which he ordained five deacons to the priesthood.

He said that it was sacrilege for a man to marry his fellow man and vice versa all in the name of human rights.

He also spoke against the destruction of the environment that militated against the development of the nation and called for attitudinal change among Ghanaians.

The Archbishop said God had a vocation and mission for all before conception, decrying abortion and murder of people even hardened criminals, which he described as wicked, wrong and sin against God.

He said Ghana needs Prophets who would stand for the truth and justice and ensure that people see the truth and receive justice.

He ordained four Priests for his Archdiocese and one for the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), calling on them to live humble and austere lives.

In his homily, the Archbishop thanked the parents, benefactors, priests, religious and parishioners who prayed, supported and formed the newly ordained, entreating them to encourage more children to join the priesthood and religious life.

Focusing his homily on the passion of John the Baptist, the Archbishop urged the Priests to emulate his life of self-sacrifice, self-denial, humility, simplicity, commitment and a life of poverty, advising them against the incessant love for worldly pleasures and material things.

“Be examples in the way you speak, behave and express your faith in prayer and in the celebration of the Eucharist,” he said, advising the newly ordained to make use of their time by reading, knowing and sharing the teachings of the Church of the people entrusted to them.

The new Priests resolved to celebrate the mysteries Christ faithfully and religiously as the Church has handed them down to them and exercise the ministry of the word worthily and wisely, preaching the Gospel and explaining the Catholic faith.

They also resolved to consecrate their lives to God for the salvation of His people and to unite themselves closely every day to Christ.

Those ordained include Father Patrick Quarcoopome, Father Raphael Hessah, Father Paul Ebow Quarshie, Father Courage Senam Dogbey, and Father Fredrick Kwame Mensah Okusu, SDB.