Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, has announced a healthcare provision for priests within the Archdiocese of Accra.
According to the Archbishop, the move is a response to the growing number of priests and the need for sustainable healthcare options.
Addressing priests and religious at Chrism Mass earlier today, Archbishop Kwofie emphasized the importance of ensuring adequate healthcare coverage for the clergy.
“Due to our growing numbers, we have been advised to seek other options in relation to healthcare insurance for priests,” Archbishop Kwofie stated.
“I therefore encourage and entreat you to take the Holy Thursday collection and other fundraising activities seriously,” the prelate added.
This development comes after the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference urged the National Union of Ghana Catholic Diocesan Priests’ Associations (NUGCDPA) to use their January 2023 congress to come out with practical suggestions that will aid the Bishops in responding better to the welfare issues of the diocesan priest in Ghana.
The call was made by the President of the Conference, Most Rev. Matthew K. Gyamfi in a solidarity message on behalf of the Bishops Conference at the opening ceremony of the 28th National and 16th Biennial Congress of the NUGCDPA in Koforidua which centered around priests’ welfare.
The Bishops Conference noted that the discussion of the welfare of the priests at the congress is a step in the right direction and timely.
“For the priest to be able to carry out his duties faithfully and selflessly, such a priest must not be left to his fate to take care of his problems but must be given the necessary support. Hence, the need to discuss the welfare of the priest during an important event like the Congress is very timely” said Bishop. Gyamfi in his address.
Most Rev. Gyamfi tasked the priests to use their congress to bring forth hands-on propositions that would help in dealing with welfare issues of priests and related matters amidst the “present predicaments of an ailing and fragile economy of Ghana and the increasing demands that this material world imposes on all of us.”