Catholic youth demand return of priest

Youth of St. Joseph’s Parish at Ayeduase, near KNUST in Kumasi, are calling on the leadership of the Church in the Ashanti region to restore its priest to his duties.

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Apem, the parish priest, has been temporarily relocated from the town after disturbances arose between the chiefs of Ayeduase and members of the church over a land.

The spokesperson for the Catholic youth group, Nana Boakye, narrating to Accra News the incident that led to the recall of Rev. Fr. Apem, said he (Boakye) had stopped a group working on the church’s premises on the orders of the Ayeduasehene.

But the action provoked the ire of the Adontenhene of Ayeduase, who mobilised some youth from the town for an assault on him and the priest – the only members of the parish, who were present at the scene at the time – though the KNUST police foiled the move and rescued them.

Almost a week after Mass and other church activities ceased, silence on the whereabouts of Rev. Fr. Apem lingers, and the church’s youth have renewed their call on the leadership to provide information on the their priest.

According to Boakye, despite assurances from the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Kumasi, Most Rev. Justice Gabriel Yaw Anokye, that the dispute between the church and the traditional authority is being arbitrated in court, the continued absence of Rev. Fr. Apem has created a lull in religious activities in the parish, a situation they find disturbing, especially during a memorable and historical period like Christmas when they renew their relationship with God.

The youth group, thus, have made two demands to the Archdiocese, that the priest is restored to his duties at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and that Holy Mass resume.

Speaking on Accra News, Rev. Fr. Stephen Gyantuah of the Kumasi Archdiocese eased the worries of the youth, saying Rev. Fr. Apem is in safe hands. Though he would not disclose the whereabouts of the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Gyantuah explained that he was in confinement and will return to priestly duties at the Ayeduase parish as soon as a resolution of the matter is arrived at.

Rev. Fr. Gyantuah also added that there will be no watch night service on December 31, but Mass will be held at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on January 1 and 3.

Responding to Rev. Fr. Gyantuah’s comments, Boakye expressed satisfaction with the news that the priest was in good condition.