“A gloomy priest is a contradiction” – Bishop Kumordji says at ordination of three for Keta-Akatsi Diocese

Bishop of the Keta Akatsi Diocese of Ghana, Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji has said the essence of priesthood lies in embodying joy, love, friendship, partnership with God, and effective representation of Christian values.

In his homily at the 2024 priestly ordination ceremony of the Diocese on August 17 at the St. Francis of Assisi Quasi Parish- Ave Dakpa in the Volta Region of Ghana, the prelate urged the candidates (Reverends David Yaw Tay, Clifford Selinam Agbitor and Roger Yao Govina, SC)  to embrace their roles with joy and dedication.

He highlighted the inherent contradiction in a priest being gloomy, underscoring that “a gloomy priest is a contradiction” and stressing that joy should be a fundamental aspect of their vocation. “The big question I would like us to reflect on today is why did God call you? If God has called me to be a Christian. If he has called me to be active in his Church and to be a priest, why did God call me?” he asked.

Bishop Kumordji elaborated on the importance of joy in the priesthood, referencing the teachings of St. Paul and statements by Pope Francis.

“We are chosen for joy. We are chosen so that we will be joyful people. And which St. Paul will say rejoice again I say rejoice,” he noted.

Bishop Kumordji further emphasised that despite the challenges of Christian life and priesthood, the core of their mission is to spread joy. “Our Journey of Christianity and even of the priesthood can be very hard but we must be people of joy because God has called us,” he said.

The Bishop also spoke about the call to love, highlighting that priests are called to embody the sacrificial love of Christ. “The Second thing for which he called us, he called us to love. We are being sent to love as Jesus loved,” he explained. He encouraged the new priests to serve with genuine love and sacrifice, reflecting Christ’s own sacrifice on the Cross. “In our Gospel reading it is stressed that love goes with sacrifice and Jesus sacrificed by laying down his life and dying on the Cross.”

Bishop Kumordji also noted that Jesus calls Priests and Christians to be His friends, not slaves. “Jesus chose us to be his friends. And he said it in the gospel. You are my friends if you do what I have commanded you,” he stated. He highlighted the importance of maintaining a personal relationship with God through prayer and service. “Jesus is calling you as a friend and to be a friend is to look at God’s face and talk with him.”

Addressing the role of priests as partners with God, he said, “We are called also as partners. A slave cannot be a partner. But we are called to be partners of God.” He stressed that priests should work in alignment with Christ, dedicating themselves to prayer and service.

Bishop Kumordji also spoke about the role of priests as ambassadors of Christianity. He cited John the Baptist’s humility and urged the new priests to bear fruits that reflect Christ’s teachings. “God chose us to be ambassadors and even advertisers,” he said.

“The way to spread Christianity is to be a Christian. The way to be a Christian is to be like Christ.” He stressed that true Christian witness is demonstrated through actions of compassion and service to others.