The National Sacred Heart of Jesus
Enthronement Centre, Ghana, under the auspices of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’
Conference, held its 10th National Sacred Heart of Jesus Congress
and Golden Jubilee at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale.
The three-day Congress held from the 5th to the 8th of
September had a theme ‘’National Sacred Heart of Jesus Enthronement Centre,
Ghana “50: Building a Synodal Church,
the Role of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotional Practices by the Catholic
Family’’.
According to estimates, the Congress
attracted about 9,000 Sacred Heart devotees across the country to celebrate
masses, Eucharistic Adorations and other devotional practices, participate in the
sacrament of reconciliation and in deliverance and healing sessions, offer
thanksgiving to God and of course fellowship.
September
5th, Thursday
The Opening Mass was celebrated by the
newly installed Bishop of Wa, Most Rev. Francis Bomansaan. His homily highlighted
the need for Christians to foster unity in the spirit of Synodality. He also
cautioned Christians against “shopping around from church to church, from
shrine to shrine, from pastor to pastor and instead to put their trust in God.”
He expressed hope that the Congress
would lead to a “spiritual revival” in the Church.
The day ended with a celebration of a Holy
Hour of Reparation and Adoration of the Holy Eucharist led by Most Rev. Alfred
Agyenta, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga. In his
reflection at the Eucharistic Adoration, he expressed great concern over what
he called as “worrying liturgical abuses” within the Church and outside the
Church. He lamented that certain priests have introduced elements into the Mass
in the name of ‘’creativity and innovation or out of misplaced spiritual
enthusiasm’’ leading to a dilution of the sacred mystery. He warned that such innovations
obscure the true meaning of the Eucharist and weaken Eucharistic adoration,
which is an extension of the Mass. Urging the faithful to remain vigilant in
defending the sanctity of the Eucharist from both internal abuses and external ridicule,
he concluded that the Eucharist is a sacred tradition that should be preserved
with the utmost reverence.
September
6th, Friday
Day 2 of the Congress was the official opening of the Congress and
Golden Jubilee. It began early with each of the participant joining the morning
prayers in their respective places of lodging at 5:00 a.m., then the praying of
the Holy Rosary at the Stadium at 7:20am, followed by the celebration of the Votive Mass
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Most Reverend Philip Naameh, the Metropolitan
Archbishop of Tamale presided over the Eucharistic celebration. The Sacred
Heart Congress and Jubilee celebrations began with a call to foster
‘transformative love and unity among the faithful.
As part of the effort to adopt an
inclusive approach to addressing challenges such as the declining Catholic
population, attendees at the Congress participated in a series of workshops
designed to promote the concept of a Synodal Church. These sessions were guided
by the theme of the Congress. They employed a bottom-up approach recommended by
the synodal process and were facilitated by bishops and priests from various
dioceses across Ghana. The sessions provided an opportunity for clergy and
laity to engage in dialogue on how the Sacred Heart of Jesus devotional
practices can strengthen the Church and foster unity.
The day ended with an encounter with Jesus
in in the Most Blessed Sacrament and a Healing Service led by Most Rev. John
Yaw Afoakwah, Bishop of Obuasi Diocese.
September
7th, Saturday
On this day, Most Rev. Peter Paul Y.
Angkyier, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Damongo celebrated the Votive Mass
of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In his homily, he urged everyone to emulate
the virtues of Mary and entrust themselves to God. The Eucharistic celebration
was followed by the Consecration of Ghana to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
In the afternoon of the 7th,
there was a procession through the principal streets of Tamale with brass band
music and banners with the Arch/Diocese Bishops.
Later in the afternoon, the
Tarcisians/Youth engaged in interaction with the Archbishops and Bishops. Simultaneously,
a penitential service was held and led by Most Rev. Matthew Yitiereh, Bishop of
Yendi, Bishop of Yendi Diocese. This was
followed by the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Counselling available for everyone
at the Congress grounds.
The day ended with a socialization
festival by the Tarcisians/Youth which consisted of Cultural Display, Drama
Performance, music and dance choreography at the Arch/Diocesan Provincial
Level.
September
8th, Sunday – Thanksgiving & Climax of Congress/Golden Jubilee
In his homily at the conclusion of the
National Sacred Heart Congress and Golden Jubilee celebrations, Bishop Matthew
Gyamfi of the Diocese of Sunyani and president of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference
(GCB) highlighted the role of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in providing spiritual
and moral guidance for the nation especially in times of crisis. ‘’Let us carry
Ghana like a sick man to Jesus for Healing’’, he said, and he then went on to
list the many challenges that the country has faced and is facing at this
moment in their history. Despite these challenges, the Bishop called for hope grounded
in faith and action.
Before the Congress was concluded Bishop
Gyamfi led his colleague Bishops, priests, religious men and women and pilgrims
joined together in prayers to re-consecrate Ghana to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
ahead of the December 7 general elections. He recalled that on March 3, 1957,
Ghana was consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus ahead of the declaration of
Independence. He further said that 50 years later during the 2007 Seventh
National Sacred Heard Congress in Cape Coast, Ghana was re-consecrated to the love,
mercy and protection of the Sacred Heat of Jesus which was repeated ten years
later in 2017. In all these consecrations, the leaders of the Ghana government
were present. This time the mayor of Tamale represented the President of Ghana.
Bishop Gyamfi rightly said that ‘We
believe that the consecration of Ghana to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is what has
sustained our country through its chequered history of 67 years.’’ And we say “Amen”
to that.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, thy kingdom come.
Most Rev.
Peter Paul Y. Angkyier, Bishop of Damongo Diocese, interacting with
Tarcisians/Youth
Holy Hour
of Reparation and Eucharistic Adoration
