Catholic Bishop of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese, Most Rev. Alfred Agyenta, has delivered a soul-searching homily that challenged the faithful to embrace personal spiritual renewal, missionary outreach, and communal unity as the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish in Bolgatanga climaxed its centenary celebration.
Addressing hundreds of parishioners and guests during the grand Mass to conclude the 100th anniversary of the parish, Bishop Agyenta reflected on the extraordinary legacy of the early missionaries, who, with limited resources but deep conviction, laid the foundations of the Catholic faith in the region.
“By their zeal and their commitment to Christ, their simplicity and deep spirituality, the early missionaries achieved so much with so little,” he said. “Their diaries, which are a rich source of pastoral wisdom, challenge us today to reflect on the quality of our pastoral work, especially with the modern tools and resources we have at our disposal.”
He lamented the disappearance of the tradition of keeping parish diaries and urged today’s priests and religious leaders to document their experiences. “In 100 years’ time, just as we are reading the stories of the missionaries, others should be able to read ours,” he said.
Bishop Agyenta paid glowing tribute to the chiefs of Bolgatanga who welcomed the missionaries and the pioneer Christians who embraced the faith at great personal cost, often facing discrimination and rejection. He particularly praised the role of early catechists who not only understood and lived the faith but actively spread it to others. He acknowledged that although full-time catechists are now rare, their role remains vital to the growth and formation of Christian communities.
In a deeply spiritual reflection, Bishop Agyenta drew parallels between the centenary celebration and Mary’s Magnificat, describing it as the perfect model of thanksgiving. He urged the congregation to see God’s hand in the past 100 years, from the call of the Gurune people out of spiritual darkness to the growth of the church into a vibrant family of God.
Quoting from early missionary diaries that described the people they met as “a primitive people devoted to ancestral spirits,” Bishop Agyenta emphasised how much transformation had taken place. “Today, 100 years down the line, the story is completely different. God has acquired a people for himself, washed and sanctified by the redeeming blood of his Son.”
Bishop Agyenta expressed concern over a growing trend of Christians, including some Catholics, returning to traditional worship practices or maintaining dual allegiances. He called this a serious threat to the faith. “You cannot serve two masters,” he warned. “We must assist those in this situation to make a clear commitment to Christ.”
He also challenged the faithful to avoid being “floating members” in the parish. “There is no such thing as a floating parishioner. The parish is a communion of families. Everyone must belong, contribute, and be part of its life.”
Looking to the future, Bishop Agyenta called on the Sacred Heart Parish to shift from being a territorial parish to one that embraces specialized ministries and missionary outreach. With its only outstation set to become a parish of its own, he urged Sacred Heart to explore new apostolates in peacebuilding, interreligious dialogue, and ecumenism.
“The church is always on the move. We cannot just sit here and celebrate ourselves,” he said. “Let us be a parish that reaches out—bringing the good news to others, especially those who have not yet encountered Christ.”
Bishop Agyenta connected the message of renewal not only to the church but also to Ghana as a whole, calling for a deeper change in mindset. He criticized a national culture that tolerates lateness, dishonesty, environmental indiscipline, and a lack of integrity.
“Resetting Ghana is not only about changing structures. It must begin with renewing our minds and hearts,” he asserted.
He welcomed the government’s recently announced National Day of Thanksgiving with the theme “Reset, Reflect, Renew,” but insisted that renewal is the key. “Without renewal of the heart, all other efforts will be in vain.”
Bishop Agyenta ended his homily with a powerful prayer and vision for the next 100 years of the Sacred Heart Parish: a spiritually renewed people, a united and supportive Christian family, and a vibrant, outward-looking missionary church.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah|Bolgatanga
