Time for Laity Plenary to address negative Church trends – Bishops of Ghana

Amidst a concerning decline in the Catholic population in Ghana, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) is proposing a Laity Plenary to help address the challenges facing the Church in the West African Nation.

Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, President of the GCBC, said this during his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Plenary Assembly of the Bishops in the Sunyani Diocese on Monday, November 13, 2023.

Expressing deep concern over the statistical decline, Most Rev. Gyamfi highlighted the urgency of involving the broader Catholic community in finding solutions.

“Our Lay Faithful are also required to have a plenary, like the Bishops, to discuss the negative growth trends, just as our Priests and Religious are also called upon to have a special plenary meeting to discuss what more has to be done to grow the Church,” he said.

The theme of the 2023 Plenary Assembly, “Fostering the growth of the Catholic Church in Ghana through Collaborative Ministry,” was chosen in direct response to this decline, emphasizing the need for collective efforts.

The proposed Lay Plenary aims to engage not only the bishops, clergy, and religious but also the active participation of the laity.

Most Rev. Gyamfi stressed that addressing the unfavorable trend requires a collaborative effort, stating, “Evangelization is the only reason why you were ordained or consecrated. If the data shows that evangelization is failing, then we can no longer continue to do business as usual.”

Reflecting on the biblical image of God’s vineyard, Most Rev. Gyamfi urged self-examination and introspection among clergy and laity alike. The responsibility for the growth of the Church, he emphasized, falls on the collective shoulders of all Catholics.

“The nurturing of God’s vineyard, the Church, to bear abundant fruit is therefore a collective responsibility that can be achieved only through collaboration,” he said.

The proposal for a lay plenary session marks a significant shift in the approach to addressing the challenges faced by the Catholic Church in Ghana.

This move aligns with the call for increased participation of the lay faithful, echoing the spirit of the recently held synodal process.

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The active involvement of the laity is seen as integral to ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive approach in fostering both quantitative and qualitative growth within the Church.

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