Archbishop Nketsiah confirms 32 Catholics

Most Reverend Mathias Kobina Nketsiah, Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast, at the weekend urged Catholics to renew their faith and increase evangelization of the word to enhance the growth and development of the Church.

He said the time has come for Catholics to see themselves as born-again Christians, and endeavour to emulate the “Resurrected Lord” by doing away with social vices such as corruption, fornication, adultery and depletion of the environment which are contrary to the teachings of the Church.

Archbishop Nketsiah made the call in a sermon at the Saint Joseph's Catholic Church at Amanful, a suburb of Cape Coast, as part of his pastoral visit to the parish.

He urged Christians to strive to know Christ by leading humble and dignified lives that would make them glorious children of God.

Archbishop Nketsiah, who is also in charge of the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese of the Catholic Church, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 32 faithfuls, and urged them to be soldiers of Christ by fighting and defending the doctrines of the Church.

"Grow in the love of the Church, and do not engage in sinful acts such as drug abuse, cyber crime, and pre-marital sex."

He reminded those confirmed that the Sacrament of Confirmation was not the end of their Christian responsibilities, but rather it was time for them to work hard for Christ and evangelize the word, particularly in schools and among the Youth.

Archbishop Nketsiah asked the faithful to appreciate and take pride in whatever gift God had given to each and every one of them, and endeavour to work hard towards nurturing these gifts to bear fruits that would be helpful to them as individuals and the society as well.

He admonished Catholics to be prayerful, and should always find time to read and study the Bible, pointing out that the spirit of God was in the Catholic Church.

Archbishop Nketsiah urged the parishioners to have faith in the church, instead of moving from one church to the other, as well as going to prayer camps to seek for miracles.

“The Catholic Church has the resurrection power, and with the resurrection power we have Christ Jesus, we die for sin and live for Christ, this is the responsibility of a true Catholic.”

The Archbishop tasked them to let the resurrection power reflect in their lives, and endeavour to do away with vices that prevent them from exhibiting this resurrection power, adding that they should not be friends of earthly or material things, but should be friends of God.

He urged the youth to be law-abiding, and eschew social vices that are detrimental to their catholic faith, and strive to lead morally and upright lives worthy of emulation.

The Archbishop commended the parishioners for their efforts in building a new church, stressing “from a humble beginning with your church service held in a classroom, you have been able to put up this edifice which would go a long way to enhance the growth and development of the church in the metropolis”.

He commended the Amanful St. Joseph's Church for its fast growth and development, and assured members that it will soon be raised to the status of a parish.