We must avoid sin to receive grace – Bishop Matthew Yitiereh

“Before one can receive grace from God, we must avoid sinful acts that can prevent us from receiving such favours,” said Most Rev. Matthew Yitiereh, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Yendi, as he addressed members of the Christian Mothers Association during their 2025 Diocesan Conference held at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral, Yendi.

The three-day spiritual gathering, which ran from May 16 to 18, brought together Catholic mothers from across the Diocese for prayer, formation, and leadership renewal.

The triennial conference opened on Friday with a welcome address from Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Michael Cobb, Director of the Yendi Peace Centre and Diocesan Development Coordinator, who represented the Vicar General, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Labre. Fr. Cobb thanked the association for choosing the Cathedral parish and assured them of the Diocese’s support for a successful programme.

The spiritual tone of the event was set through a series of activities including Recollection, Penitential Service, individual confessions, and a symbolic passage through the Cathedral’s Holy Door. Participants also received a formation talk on the association’s constitution and mission, facilitated by Very Rev. Fr. Gregory Dery, Esq., Chancellor of the Diocese.

Bishop Yitiereh, who delivered the keynote address on the theme “Be Full of Grace”, reflected on grace as an unmerited favour from God. He emphasised that to receive such grace, Christians must actively avoid sinful acts that block their relationship with God. He reinforced his message during the closing Mass, urging the women to live out their faith through love, quoting Jesus’ words: “Love one another, just as I have loved you.”

He added, “If we say we’re Christian Mothers and have received the grace of God, then it should manifest in the love and affection we show to ourselves. When one loves, there’s always action to accompany that love.”

The conference also saw interfaith and civic engagement. A delegation from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission Women’s Wing in Yendi, led by Awal Neina Nihad, congratulated the Christian Mothers and encouraged them to use their association to promote peace and empower more women across the Diocese.

Mr. Bopam Augustine, Commander of the Ghana Prisons Service in Yendi, who chaired the occasion, commended the mothers for their role in both Church and society.

Citing examples such as Liberia’s female president and Ghana’s first female Vice President, he encouraged the women to take on leadership roles in their communities and workplaces. “Women have proven to be better managers of affairs,” he remarked.

Very Rev. Fr. Abraham Wumbeiyili, Spiritual Director of the Christian Mothers Association, expressed appreciation to the Bishop for his continued support. He encouraged the newly elected executives to work diligently and called on outgoing leaders to mentor their successors for the continued growth of the association.

In her acceptance speech, the newly elected Diocesan President, Mother Clothilda Adongo, thanked delegates for the confidence placed in her and her team. She pledged to serve with dedication and to use the association as a platform to empower more women within the Diocese.