Fr. Sakpaku ends Fidei Donum in Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom

Rev. Fr. Stephen Kofi Sakpaku has ended his voluntary missionary work in the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom effective April 30, 2023.

He volunteered to serve in rural Donkorkrom Vicariate after feeling called by God for that mission.

Fr. Sakpaku arrived in Donkorkrom in the year 2012 serving the people of God for 11 years.

Within this period of eleven years, he worked in various capacities including bursar of the Vicariate, Pastor of St. Theresa Parish, Samanhyia and St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Maame- Krobo as well as being part of the college of consultors of the Vicariate.

A note of appreciation signed by Bishop of the Donkorkrom Vicariate, Most Rev. John Aplphonse Asiedu, carried in a citation in honour of Fr. Stephen Sakpaku said “On behalf of the priests, religious and the entire lay faithful of the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom, I wish to express our sincerest gratitude to you for eleven years of pastoral ministry in the Vicariate. Out of your own initiatives you requested to work in the Vicariate for some time and arrived in 2012.”

It added that “You distinguished yourself in all these duties and responsibilities. Your love for children and their education and your interest and skills in social communication are highly appreciated. You have indeed touched and transformed the lives of many people who encountered you. Apart from the human transformation, we also laud you for the spiritual nourishment and infrastructure development which is evident in our churches and some schools within the Vicariate,

“Your effort in promoting religious ecumenism to ensure peaceful coexistence with other religious denominations is very commendable. The Vicariate is indeed grateful to you for all your services, legacy and investment and leaves you in the care of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Francis Xavier, the patrons of the Vicariate. We wish you well as you return to your home archdiocese.”

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Why Fr. Sakpaku left the luxury of Accra for Donkorkrom 2 years after his ordination

For many who know Rev. Fr. Stephen Kofi Sakpaku, his name has become synonymous with the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom.

He is most likely the first person anyone familiar with the Vicariate thinks about when they hear Donkorkrom.

But did you know Fr. Sakpaku is a Diocesan priest of the Accra Archdiocese and only on Fidei Donum in the Vicariate of Donkorkrom?

Fidei Donum is strange, right? let me help you.

Fidei Donum is a Latin term meaning “gift of faith.” It was a program launched by Pope Pius XII in 1957 that encouraged Catholic dioceses and parishes to send priests and other missionaries to help build and strengthen the Church in areas that were in need of evangelization and pastoral care.

Now that you know what Fidei Donum is, let’s continue from where we left off.

Fr. Sakpaku, a young priest, left the comfort and luxury of Accra for Donkorkrom just two years after his ordination.

What makes it more intriguing is that he did not move at the request of his Bishop, then Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. Gabriel Charles Palmer-Buckle.

What then would make anyone take such a decision?

Fr. Sakpaku shared that he was initially invited to raise funds for the Donkorkrom Vicariate at Christ the King Catholic Church on March 12th, 2012, by the Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, SVD.

After the event, he had a dream of working in the Vicariate and went to discuss it with the then Vicar General, Very Rev Mgsr Francis Adoboli.

The Vicar General asked him to go and discuss it with Archbishop Buckle, who surprisingly gave him a “blank cheque appointment,” telling him to go and return anytime he wished.

Fr. Sakpaku tells Catholic Trends he was thrilled to take up the challenge, and since then, he has been working in the Donkorkrom Vicariate.

Fr. Sakpaku’s journey has been full of challenges, but he has embraced them all with love and enthusiasm.

In his time at the Donkorkrom Vicariate, Fr. Sakpaku has accomplished a lot, including building schools and establishing programs to help those in need. His work has had a positive impact on the community, and he has become a beloved figure in the area.

Fr. Sakpaku’s story is one of inspiration, showing that sometimes, it takes a leap of faith to pursue a calling. His dedication to the Donkorkrom community has touched many lives and will continue to inspire others to serve their communities with love and enthusiasm.