“My heart is filled with gratitude”: Bishop Boi-Nai reflects on 25 years of episcopacy

Bishop Emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Yendi, Most Rev. Vincent Sowah Boi-Nai, SVD has expressed gratitude and joy as he celebrates 25 years of his episcopal ordination which is also the 25th anniversary of the creation of the Diocese of Yendi in Ghana.

“My heart at this moment is filled with sentiments of gratitude and joy. Gratitude to God for all the wonderful things He has done for me during the past 25 years,” Bishop Boi-Nai told Catholic Trends.

Having served in Yendi for over four decades, as a priest and Bishop, he noted the warmth and cooperation he has received from the communities where he served.

“Since I came here about 44 years ago, I have found all the people very cooperative and understanding,” he noted.

He extended special thanks to the Chiefs of Yendi and the residents of surrounding villages, acknowledging their support in his peace initiatives. “They really were open to my peace work, and today we have peaceful coexistence,” he said.

Bishop Vincent Sowah Boi-Nai, born in Labadi, Ghana, has dedicated his life to the service of the Catholic Church, particularly in the Diocese of Yendi. A member of the Society of the Divine Word (S.V.D.), he was ordained as a priest on August 13, 1977, marking the beginning of a vocation that would span over four decades.

On March 16, 1999, Bishop Boi-Nai was appointed Bishop of Yendi, and just a few months later, on July 10, he was ordained as a bishop in an open-air ceremony near the Cathedral of Yendi, with notable figures such as Archbishop Peter Poreku Dery and Archbishop Dominic Kodwo Andoh as principal co-consecrators.

Throughout his episcopacy, which lasted over 25 years, Bishop Boi-Nai played a crucial role in fostering peace and community relations in the region. His leadership was characterized by a commitment to dialogue and understanding among diverse groups, reflecting his deep-rooted belief in the power of cooperation for the common good.

Bishop Boi-Nai made significant contributions to the diocese during his tenure, participating in multiple Ad Limina visits in April 2006 and September 2014, which underscore his active engagement with the broader Church.