Permanent diaconate in Ghana must be a national move, not a diocesan experiment – Bishop Mante

Bishop of Ghana’s Catholic Diocese of Jasikan, Most Rev. Gabriel Ababio Mante, has called for a unified, nationwide approach to the institution of permanent deacons in Ghana, stressing that such a significant development in Church ministry must not be left to individual dioceses.

In a recent appearance on The Spotlight Show on Catholic Trends Bishop noted that it was time the Church in Ghana embraced the permanent diaconate.

“I have not taken any initiative on that. But I think the life of the Church has reached a point in Ghana where we must also have permanent deacons,” Bishop Mante said.

“But as always, the people must be sensitised to understand what being a permanent deacon means. Because permanent deacons are also married people, so it must be clearly explained.”

Permanent deacons—ordained men, many of whom are married—serve the Church in preaching, charitable work, and sacramental assistance, but do not become priests. The permanent diaconate, reinstated after the Second Vatican Council, exists in many parts of the world to meet growing pastoral needs and extend the Church’s presence in underserved areas.

Bishop Mante, who is approaching retirement and has served beyond the usual age, expressed his reluctance to personally lead such an initiative at this stage in his episcopacy, saying it should be left for his successor. However, he emphasized that if the permanent diaconate is to be introduced in Ghana, it must be done on a national level rather than as a piecemeal effort by individual dioceses.

“For me, if it should be introduced, it must be a national phenomenon. It should not be something to be introduced by one Diocese,” he said. “Many issues come up for discussion at the Bishops’ Conference level. And they reflect either in our communiqués or pastoral letters, and sorry to say, it ends there sometimes.”

His comments came just before the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, led by Archbishop John Bonaventure Kwofie, C.S.Sp. announced the formal institution of the permanent diaconate on May 11.

According to the Archdiocese’s statement, the move is aimed at strengthening the Church’s pastoral presence, especially in communities where priests are stretched and lay leadership is already playing a vital role. Archbishop Kwofie emphasized that the permanent diaconate is not a substitute for priesthood but a complement to enhance liturgical, sacramental, and charitable ministries.

Candidates for the diaconate in Accra must be long-serving, morally upright married men who have shown dedication to the Church and community life. Each parish is limited to recommending one candidate, with final selection resting with the Archbishop and a designated formation team.

Bishop Mante’s call for a nationwide approach adds to growing conversations in Ghana’s Church hierarchy about how best to meet pastoral demands in an evolving society.

His caution against fragmented implementation reflects a desire for unity, clarity, and broad catechesis to ensure the faithful understand and embrace the role of permanent deacons.