Rev. Fr. Felix Sesenyo Quarshie, Parish Priest of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Taifa, has called on leaders to dedicate themselves to the well-being of their followers and avoid self-centered pursuits. He made this call while delivering his homily on Mission Sunday during a visit to St. Louis Catholic Church, Parakuo Estate-Dome.
Drawing on the day’s readings, Rev. Fr. Quarshie was of the view that true leadership, whether in the church or society, should focus on service to others. He cautioned that power, when wielded selfishly, often fails to fulfill its intended purpose of benefiting the community.
“Leadership is a sacred responsibility that must be exercised for the common good, not for personal gain,” he stated, urging leaders to reject self-serving attitudes. He noted that those who seek power for selfish reasons often fall short in their duties, adding, “Only when people assume positions of authority do we truly see their character and intentions.”
Rev. Fr. Quarshie highlighted the need for leaders at every level, including the President, parliamentarians, and institutional heads, to serve with humility and dedication, rather than using their roles as platforms for self-enrichment.
“Leadership should not be about lording it over others or using positions to benefit oneself to the detriment of society,” he underscored. Fr. Quarshie also intimated that leaders have a duty to uplift and serve the broader community.
Reflecting on the heightened political activity ahead of the December elections, Fr. Quarshie observed that candidates are energetically campaigning with numerous promises. He cautioned against the temptation to use power for individual benefit and encouraged leaders to adopt sacrificial leadership, referencing Jesus’ message in the Gospel as a model.
Rev. Fr. Quarshie urged political actors, particularly in this election year, to focus on promises that would benefit society. “We need sacrificial leadership in the Church and society, as those before us have shown, leaving us a legacy we enjoy today,” he added, calling on leaders to strive for the common good in all they do.
He concluded with a reminder of the legacy left by past leaders who sacrificed for the common good, saying, “We enjoy the fruits of their selfless service today. The same spirit of sacrificial leadership is needed now more than ever, both in our church and our society.”
Fr. Quarshie’s visit was part of a broader mission, a tradition of the Church involving the exchange of the pulpit, aimed at inspiring church leaders and laypeople alike to embody values that serve the greater good.
World Mission Sunday is a day set aside for the Catholic Church throughout the world to publicly renew its commitment to the missionary movement, coordinated by the Pontifical Mission Societies, who are also known as Missio. It is celebrated on the penultimate Sunday of October every year.
