A tragic road accident has claimed the life of Miguel Selasi Dordzie, a young seminarian from the Accra Catholic Archdiocese, while several of his colleagues sustained injuries. The seminarians were returning home from St. Teresa’s Minor Seminary, Amisano, for the Easter holidays when the accident occurred.
The late Selasi was a cherished member of St. Sylvanus Parish, Pokuase, where he served faithfully as a Mass Server and was an active Crusader with the Catholic Youth Organisation (CYO). News of his passing has been met with shock and deep sorrow by parishioners, friends, and the wider Catholic community.
Reacting to the heartbreaking news, St. Sylvanus Parish, through its official platforms, released the following statement:
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the devastating news of the passing of our beloved Selasi in a car accident on his way home from the Seminary for the Easter holidays. In light of this tragic event, the Church’s leadership has decided to cancel this year’s Easter picnic activities and instead hold a prayer vigil in honour of Selasi’s life, passion, dedication and commitment.
The prayer vigil will be held on Easter Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Church Premises. We invite all parishioners to join us in prayer and reflection, as we celebrate the life of our dear brother and entrust him to God’s loving care.
May God grant Selasi eternal rest and comfort his family and friends during this difficult time.
Please join us for the prayer vigil as we come together to honour Selasi’s memory and seek God’s guidance and consolation.”
The Church has also called on parishioners to kindly remember Selasi’s soul during Holy Mass and to pray for the full and speedy recovery of the other seminarians who were injured in the accident.
The news of his passing has been met with deep sorrow and shock across the Catholic community, with many expressing heartfelt tributes to honour his memory.
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel-Mary Ofori, Priest-in-Charge of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Dodowa, shared fond memories of Selasi:
“REST WELL, SELASI MIGUEL DORDZIE. Many years ago, I met Selasi at St. Sylvanus Parish, Pokuase. I was on Pastorals at St. Alphonse Catholic Church, Ga-Odumase, and he was a learner at St. Sylvanus JHS. Fr. George Ekow Mensah would often engage me to help teach the learners of St. Sylvanus Catechesis and some trademark seminary songs, and Selasi was always actively involved.
It was during such moments that Selasi would ask one question after another about seminary life, how one could become a seminarian, why priests don’t marry, etc.
One afternoon, Selasi came to me and asked, ‘Why are you always wearing Cassock? Are seminarians not allowed to wear proper dress?’ I remember jokingly telling him, ‘This is my proper dress oo. When I was officially accepted as a Candidate for Holy Orders, the only dress the Church gave me was Cassock so this is our proper dress.’ He asked again, ‘Can I wear some?’ I smiled and said, ‘If you want to be a Priest, then you can wear some.’
His desire for the Priesthood was quite obvious and I think he prepared himself really well for the journey. The first and only time I celebrated Mass at St. Sylvanus, we met again after a long time, and when I asked about seminary, he responded, ‘Fr, I’ll go to the seminary oo, but I want to complete university first.’
Hearing of the demise of this gentle and godly soul through an accident, on his way home from the seminary, a place he longed to be even as a boy, is heartbreaking indeed.”
The Catholic community continues to stand united in grief and prayer as it mourns the loss of one of its promising young future priests.
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