The mortal remains of Bishop Joseph Oliver Bowers, a retired Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Accra, was on Friday laid to rest at the Holy Spirit Cathedral premises in Accra. 

Bishop Bowers died on Tuesday November 6 at the age 102 at Agomanya in the Eastern Region. He was appointed Bishop of Accra on January 8, 1953 and received his Episcopal consecration on April 22, 1953.

Speaking at the burial service President John Dramani Mahama said the late Bishop Bowers would forever be remembered for his great contribution to the education and health sector of the country and as president of the country it was important to pay his last respect to him.

He said the good works of people would always remain, adding the late bishop contributed his quota not only to the religious aspects of individuals and the nation as a whole but also the education and health of the people.

President Mahama commended the Catholic Church for the moral consciousness towards all issues affecting the nation and asked members not to relent in their efforts to support and continuously pray for the nation as the December General Elections draws closer.

He appealed to all to continue to maintain the current peace in the country and preach peace in order for the country to go through peaceful and violent free elections on December 7, 2012.

Most Rev Gabriel Kumoji, Bishop of Donkorkrom, said the late Bishop was someone who listened and followed the Lord and put his faith in the Lord.

He said “he was an example for all Ghanaians to realize that there are people in the world who will want to give their all for people to serve God in sincerity and in love.”

Bishop Bowers saw to the establishment of the St Peters Senior High School (SHS), Pope John SHS and Minor Seminary, St Paul’s Technical School, St Rose’s SHS, St Mary’s SHS, St Monica’s SHS, St Thomas Aquinas SHS, St Dominic Hospital, Holy Family Hospital and St Martin’s De Pores Hospital.

He was born on March 28, in Massacre, Dominica, and traveled to the United States to attend St. Augustine Seminary, in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. He was ordained on January 22, 1939, and continued as a priest in the Society of the Divine Word from 1939 to 1952.

In 1957, Bishop Bowers founded the congregation of the Sisters of the Handmaids of the Divine Redeemer (HDR) in Accra, which is dedicated to caring and comforting the poor.

On July 17, 1981, he retired from church office and, after some years spent in Charlestown, Nevis, returned to Dominica, where he lived in Mahaut , until he was invited back to Ghana by the HDR Sisters in the 1990’s to live till his demise.