New Anglican Cathedral consecreted

Sunyani (B/A) July 19, GNA - Nana Kwadwo Seinti, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister on Saturday called on churches to lead the crusade against political intolerance through their messages to their congregation and during outreach programmes. He observed that the culture of political intolerance, which was gradually creeping back into the society was a very sensitive matter that, if not properly handled, could create unnecessary tension in the country.

Nana Seinti was speaking in Sunyani at the consecration and dedication of the new 800 million cedis Saint Anselm's Cathedral of the Anglican Church in Sunyani. The project was financed through donations by the Church's foreign benefactors and contributions of local members. The construction of the Cathedral, begun in November 1996 by the Right Reverend Thomas Ampah Brient, first and current Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Sunyani replaces the old one incidentally built by his late father in 1962, the Reverend Canon Edward Ampah Brient, the pioneer priest in-charge of the Church in Sunyani.

Nana Seinti noted that uncomplimentary remarks made by some politicians, "uninformed political discussions on FM Stations and unfounded allegations against political opponents in some newspapers are the causes of the canker". Ghana needs peace to develop, he said and appealed to churches to pursue an intensive campaign to reverse the negative political trend that could plunge the country into chaos.

Nana Seinti noted with regret that the commercialisation of churches had led to the relegation of the spiritual and socio-economic development of their members to the background and this had given churches a negative image. The Regional Minister said litigation was becoming a frequent feature in some churches to the extent that some Christians resort to violence and demonstrations at church premises, resulting in injuries to some of their members. These negative tendencies are rather dragging away many people from the Christian faith, he said and called on church leaders to identify ways to bring their self-seeking colleagues to order.

Nana Seinti commended the Anglican Diocese of Sunyani for constructing "the magnificent" cathedral and suggested to the Church to establish its first Girls Senior Secondary School in the region. He said the Church could also adopt any of the existing Senior Secondary Schools to be developed into a full-fledged university in future.

The Most Reverend Robert G.A. Okine, Archbishop and Primate of Anglican Church of the Province of West Africa and Bishop of Koforidua, who performed the consecration and dedication of the cathedral urged members of the Church, in a sermon to be resolute in their faith and hope in God for the growth of the Diocese. He advised the clergy and the congregation to use the Cathedral as a base for inspiration and preparation for mission, saying, genuine outreach and not mere occasional cosmetic acts of charity must be the watchword in the evangelisation process. Bishop Brient, in a welcoming address paid glowing tribute to the Church's foreign benefactors, especially the late Reverend Dr. Philip P. Saunders of World-Wide Lighthouse Mission, in the United States of America whom, he said, donated the initial amount with which to commence the construction of the new cathedral in 1996 and the Reverend Canon Dr. Douglas B. Edwards, also of the USA, whose donation completed the project. He said the consecration and dedication of the Cathedral was the first phase as the Church needed more support to complete the diocesan offices, places of convenience, beautification of the Cathedral grounds, provision of pews and chairs and the construction of a befitting Bishop's residence.

Among those present were the Reverend Canon Dr. Edwards, the family of the late Reverend Dr. Saunders and Nana Bosoma Asor-Nkrawiri, Omanhene of Sunyani.