The St. Micheal Catholic Church in Peki-Adzokoe in the Diocese of Ho can now boast of a befitting place of residence for priests following the blessing and official opening of a new Presbytery by Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD on May 18.
The project was made possible through the generosity of donors, including friends of UK-based indigenous priest, Rev. Fr. Jerry A. Manomey after a period of 7 years.
Delivering a homily preceding the blessing of the edifice, Bishop Fianu underscored the importance of cherishing and maintaining the newly acquired property, urging the church community to express gratitude to the benefactors and follow their example of generosity.
For his part, Fr. Jerry Manomey urged the community to see the structure as a symbol of unity between the Peki-Adzokoe old and new towns. He expressed appreciation to individuals who made it possible for the project to come to fruition.
The priest also issued a heartfelt appeal for continued support for the construction of a new church building. He highlighted the pressing need to replace the current mud structure, which struggles to accommodate fifty individuals.
Stressing the importance of providing a suitable place of worship, he emphasized that the establishment of the presbytery was a crucial step towards realizing this goal and fostering the church’s expansion.
The new Presbytery owes its existence to the benevolence of several individuals and families from the Diocese of Northampton, UK.
Among them are Mr. Andrew Dexter and Mrs. Julie Dexter, the family of the Sacred Heart Parish in Weston Favell, Mrs. Klara Eves and her family from the Sacred Heart Parish in Flitwick, and Mrs. Pat Nutt and her family from the Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Parish in Great Billing.
The edifice is erected in memory of Rev. Fr. Edward Charles Ametefe, a pioneer priest to have worked in Peki-Adzokoe and its environs.
"Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, met Abraham as he returned from his defeat of the kings and blessed him."
And Abraham apportioned to him "a... tenth of everything." His name first means righteous king, and he was also "king of Salem," that is, king of peace.
Without father, mother, or ancestry, without beginning of days or end of life, thus made to resemble the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
It is even more obvious if another priest is raised up after the likeness of Melchizedek,
who has become so, not by a law expressed in a commandment concerning physical descent but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed.
For it is testified: "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."