Catholic Bishops of Ghana convene for 2024 plenary: what’s on the agenda?

The 2024 Plenary Assembly of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC)  officially opened on Monday, November 11, in the Catholic Diocese of Obuasi, with the theme “Jubilee Year: A Time to Proclaim Christ, Hope for the Church and Ghana.”

The gathering, which runs until November 15, is expected to be a pivotal moment for the bishops to reflect on a range of pressing issues affecting both the Church and the nation.

In his keynote address, the President of the Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, invited the bishops to a deeper reflection on the significance of the Jubilee Year.

With Pope Francis declaring 2025 as a global Jubilee Year under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” the GCBC has chosen to focus on hope as a foundational theme for the Church and the nation.

Key Issues on the Plenary Agenda

Hope for the Church and its mission

The Bishops are expected to reflect on how the Church can remain a beacon of hope in Ghana. This includes discussing how the Church can contribute to resilience and faith in a nation facing significant challenges. Emphasis will be placed on pastoral care, social justice, and community-building, as the Church seeks to strengthen its mission to offer hope to the faithful.

Hope for Ghana: Faith amidst national challenges

The theme also highlights the role of faith in offering hope to the people of Ghana, particularly in the face of economic challenges, the upcoming national elections, and the highly debated Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Bill. The bishops will deliberate on how they can bring hope and healing through the teachings of Christ, addressing national issues from a faith-based perspective.

Environmental Crisis: The devastation of galamsey

One of the most urgent concerns to be discussed is the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining, or galamsey. The Obuasi Diocese, where the Plenary Assembly is being held, is directly affected by this crisis, which has caused irreversible damage to water bodies, farmlands, and ecosystems. The bishops heard first-hand accounts from local parishes during pastoral visits, and will reflect on the moral and ecological implications of the galamsey menace in their discussions.

 Reflection and Renewal

As part of the Jubilee Year, the bishops will also focus on a period of introspection and spiritual renewal. This time of reflection will encourage both personal and communal growth in faith, fostering a deeper understanding of what it means to live out the Gospel in contemporary Ghana. The bishops aim to emerge from this gathering with a renewed commitment to their pastoral duties and the well-being of the people they serve.