Archbishop of Accra appeals to RECOWA/CERAO rectors to strengthen moral, spiritual formation in seminaries

The Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie CSSp, has called on Rectors of West African seminaries to take firm action against homosexuality and gay culture within their institutions.

Speaking at the opening of the 12th RECOWA/CERAO Rectors’ Conference in Accra on January 14, Archbishop Kwofie said such tendencies are incompatible with the priestly vocation and the celibate life demanded by the Church.

The conference being held at the St. Paul’s Catholic Seminary, Sowutuom-Accra brings together rectors from the RECOWA/CERAO  region to discuss and share best practices in priestly formation, with the theme “Building on a rock, a solid and a holistic formation.”

The Archbishop described the phenomenon as a “growing monster” within seminaries. Urging the Rectors to take decisive steps to “weed out” individuals with homosexual tendencies, calling it a grave threat to both priestly life and the integrity of celibacy.

“I am going to talk about one thing that is growing up like a monster in the seminaries,” he said. “Please, do your best to weed out people of such orientation from our seminaries because it is not only an abomination to priestly attitude but does not make the gift of celibacy worth living. It is about homosexuality and or gay culture: men going for women doesn’t go well but men going for men that is found to be good.”

The Archbishop’s remarks echoed the long-standing position of the Church on the matter, referencing an official instruction by the Congregation for Catholic Education. The 2005 document specifically states that individuals who practice homosexuality or support the “so-called gay culture” cannot be admitted to seminaries or Holy Orders.

“In regard to persons with homosexual tendencies that approach the Seminaries or that in the course of their formation discover such a situation, in coherence with the Magisterium, the Church, respecting profoundly the persons in question, cannot admit to the Seminary and to Holy Orders those who practice homosexuality, present profoundly rooted homosexual tendencies or support the so-called gay culture. The persons mentioned are, in fact, in a situation that gravely hinders a correct relationship with men and women,” he quoted.

Archbishop Kwofie reminded the rectors of the responsibility they bear in shaping the future of the Church, calling their task an “onerous one.”

“You are Rectors of our seminaries in West Africa, you are given the responsibility to forming our future priests. This is an onerous task,” he remarked. “

The conference is expected to feature reports from various seminaries, plenary sessions, workshops, and discussions aimed at improving the quality of priestly formation. Participants will also engage in an excursion among others.

The 12th RECOWA/CERAO Rectors’ Conference will continue over the next few days, with an underlying focus on building a strong and cohesive approach to priestly formation in the region.

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