On April 6, Catholic Trends reported that the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Tamale, Ghana, Most Rev. Philip Naameh, has imposed a suspension of Rev. Fr. Kelvin Minnow, A Diocesan Priest of the Tamale Archdiocese due to serious canonical violations and persistent disobedience.
The report indicated that the suspension, effective from April 3, 2025, is indefinite and will remain in place until Fr. Minnow shows genuine signs of reform.
The Archbishop outlined a series of unsuccessful corrective measures, including fraternal corrections and admonishment, as detailed in Canons 1339 and 1341 of the Code of Canon Law. One major reason for the suspension is Fr. Minnow’s unauthorized absence from his parish since January 2025, a breach of Canon 1396 concerning the obligation of residence.
Archbishop of Tamale imposes suspension on Fr. Kelvin Minnow
In addition to the suspension, Fr. Minnow faces expiatory penalties, including the loss of faculties for certain sacred functions and remuneration. The Archbishop has warned that if Fr. Minnow does not return or provide information on his whereabouts within six months, further severe penalties, including possible dismissal from the clerical state, may be pursued in accordance with Canon 1392.
Below is a commentary on the development by a student of Canon law.
Beloved in Christ!, It’s unfortunate to see this publication of sanction by the Archbishop of Tamale.
In matters of Church governance,:
1.A Local Ordinary (Bishop/Archbishop) and Superiors of Congregations have in fullness the three arms of governance: legislative power (make new laws, norms n statutes),judiciary power(sit on all kinds of cases either by themselves or thru a delegate who sits on them on their behalf in their Episcopal powers), executive: running the administration of the Diocese. So, the Bishop/Archbishop has all the powers in his jurisdiction to sanction any of his subjects.2.By Church law, there are two main offenses that leads to a punishment:
Laetae Sententiae and
Ferendae Sententiae.3.For the Laetentae Sententiae, is “ipso facto”: once the GRAVE crime is committed, the sanction is automatic so it follows without TRYING the offender.
Eg: Deliberate desecration or Spillage of the Eucharistic Species, etc…4.For Ferendae Sententiae, when there is a diffusion of the crime, the Bishop is obliged to hear the side of the story of the offender after the fact of the matter has been established to be judged guilty or innocent whether thru administrative process or judiciary process! Then the sanction follows based on the gravity of the Crime.
5.From the decree of the Archbishop, He has stated emphatically clear the offences of the Priest: Having left the place of post and residence since January without due permission of his Pastor and His Archbishop. As Priests, this is one way or the other, a total neglect of his Priestly Office and duty and
Having moved from the mission house with no trace of his whereabout.
That too is against the code that, the Pastor as well as the Curate/Assistant must live in the mission house by Church law.It’s only the Pastoral Collaborator is not obliged to this residence law.
And the third offence is gross disrespect and disobedience to his Archbishop.
So, the offences are three and that is what has evoked the severe sanction from his Archbishop.6.In fact, Church sanction even though penal but is medicinal,expiatory and reformative. It’s to help him have a change of heart and mind and once demonstrated sincerely to his Archbishop, it would be removed.
7.In the Catholic Church, Bishops do not sanction their subject over night but they do as the last resort after several warnings, admonitions, fraternal correction have failed.
All these have been followed and it worries the Chief Shepherd that his Priest is not listening to him.8.Lastly, even though is not common to see sanctions of Priests and religious published, the Code of Canon Law permits that such acts and decrees be published on the website of the Diocese and in Catholic Communication Journals for the good of the laity to know the withdrawn faculty and also pray for and sympathise the Priest.
9.To have the Archbishop give a six month ultimatum that if he doesn’t show return to the Archdiocese and place of post, he may eventually dismiss him from the Clerical States tells you how grave and very serious the issue.
However, as Jesus showed the adulterous woman mercy today in the Gospel, let’s pray for Father to make a U-turn, exhibit his remorsefulness and ask for pardon from his Chief Shepherd to be forgiven and continue his Priestly ministry as we all pray for him.I’m sure Psychologists and Psychiatrists have been employed to assist our brother as well.
Mary, Mother of Priests, Pray for us.By: Barimah Yaw Buruku
(Student of Canon law)
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