The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ho Most. Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD, has admonished new Catechists to remain faithful to the mission of the Church and to teach the faith with fidelity.
Bishop Fianu make the call during the commissioning of sixty-seven (67) Catechists for pastoral service in the Ho Deanery of the Ho Diocese at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Ho Dome.
He urged them to remain faithful to the mission of the Church and to teach the faith with fidelity, wisdom, and love. The newly commissioned Catechists, who had undergone three years of intensive formation, were formally mandated to assist in evangelization, catechesis, and pastoral ministry across their various parishes in the Ho Deanery.
Bishop Fianu said the vocation of a Catechist flows from Baptism and is deepened by Confirmation, through which every Christian shares in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly mission of Christ.He emphasized that “the personal call of Jesus Christ and the relationship with him are the true engines of the Catechist’s activity from this loving knowledge of Christ springs the desire to proclaim him, to evangelize, and to lead others of faith in Jesus Christ.”
Bishop Fianu stated that the commissioning was the Church’s formal recognition of the Catechists’ readiness to proclaim the Gospel and their response to God’s invitation to serve. He described their ministry as “highly valued and indispensable” to the growth and maturity of the Christian community.“You are the first line of those who provide cooperation in the teaching of the faith, devoting yourselves to catechesis, so that the Church will continually grow in faith and show it forth in liturgy, study, and Christian living.”
He advised the newly commissioned Catechists to apply wisdom and discernment in their work, particularly in situations where strict adherence to the law appears to conflict with the needs of human dignity and compassion. Bishop Fianu further urged the Catechists to apply wisdom and discernment in their work, particularly in balancing fidelity to Church law with the demands of human dignity and compassion.
“The law was made to keep order and harmony in society, but the human person should not become a slave to the law. We must uphold the freedom of the sons and daughters of God who live in the fullness of His love.”He also expressed gratitude to the newly commissioned Catechists for their commitment, describing them as co-workers in the vineyard of the Lord. He further called on the faithful to support them with constant prayers so they may remain steadfast in faith and effective in guiding children, youth, and adults into deeper communion with Christ.
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