“Offering should be a free act with no coercion,” says Ghanaian Catholic Priest

In a call for compassion, Rev. Fr. Joseph Nyarko Asare, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Obuasi in Ghana, has urged Church leaders and Christians to avoid pressuring congregants into making financial contributions.

Drawing inspiration from the biblical story of the widow’s offering, Fr. Nyarko emphasised that financial giving in the Church should remain a voluntary and heartfelt decision, without coercion or undue influence.

In a Facebook post, Fr. Nyarko referenced the biblical passage where a poor widow gave all she had to the temple, an act that was not driven by manipulation or persuasion but by her own free will.

He noted, “When the poor widow gave all she had, it was never because a pastor pushed her to do so.”

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Fr. Nyarko further advised, “Give the poor the space to breathe and decide when and how to support the Church.” He acknowledged the financial struggles many face and stressed that while the Church should encourage generosity, it must also be understanding and respectful of individual circumstances.

“Offering should be a free act with no coercion,” he reiterated, urging that messages for support do not become a source of pressure.