A three days formation on synodality in Ghana’s seminaries has commenced at the St. Gregory the Great Provincial Major Seminary in Parkoso-Kumasi with a call on seminarians to be true to who they are in the course of their formation.
The event, held under the auspices of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, is themed “Synodality
and Spiritual Conversation In Pastoral Settings.”
In his homily at the opening Mass on August 27, the Bishop of the Obuasi Diocese, Most Rev. John Yaw Afoakwah urged seminarians to confront and abandon hypocrisy in their formation.
“Listening to the first reading from Thessalonians, there is this thing that I would like us to take note of. God has called you or has called through our gospel so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ,” he said.
Bishop Afoakwah noted the importance of genuine spirituality, stating, “We cannot simply fully exhaust the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are called to be like Christ, not just to imitate Him.” He stressed that true fulfillment in priestly life comes not from external achievements but from a sincere, internal commitment to Christ’s example.
Addressing the issue of hypocrisy, he remarked, “God looks at us and He sees many things that are different. What we show outside is different from what inwardly are our thoughts and feelings. We are hypocrites.”
He criticised the tendency among seminarians to present a façade rather than their authentic selves. “One of the problems we have is that in the Seminary, generally, Seminarians pretend to be what they are not,” he added.
“Be who you are, then you can be helped. If God wants you to be a priest, you will be a priest; it’s not about saving your vocation.”
The three-day training on synodality for seminarians began on August 26, 2024, with participants arriving for the event.
The training officially commenced in the morning of August 27 with a focus on understanding synodality, featuring sessions on introducing synodality, its praxis and significance, and the spirituality of journeying together.
Key discussions included how to be effective synodal leaders and the value of collegial bodies in the Church.
On August 28, the training is expected to continue with a focus on synodal leadership and best practices for synodal missionary communities.
The final day, August 29, is dedicated to emerging as a synodal Church, emphasizing the identification of structures and norms that encourage inclusion, and formulating key lessons from the workshop.
The event also featured a formators training on August 26 under the theme, “Synodality and Conversation in the Spirit in Seminaries.”
Synodality represents a collaborative and inclusive approach to Church governance and decision-making. Rooted in the principles of listening, dialogue, and shared responsibility, it emphasises the participation of all members of the Church—clergy and laity alike—in the discernment and formation of Church policies and teachings.
At its core, synodality is about creating a more engaged and dynamic Church community, where decision-making processes are transparent and inclusive.
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