The Catholic Bishop of the Ho Diocese, Most. Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD, has urged Catholic youth to rely on God for guidance and discernment in life, cautioning them against judging situations and people based solely on outward appearances. He emphasised that true understanding comes from seeking God’s will and living according to Christian values.
The Bishop made the call during his homily at the 2026 Diocesan Youth Pilgrimage held at the Sacred Heart Grotto. The three-day spiritual gathering brought together young Catholics from across the diocese to reflect, pray and strengthen their faith under the theme: “Take Courage: Catholic Youth as Actors and Agents of Peace and Hope.”
According to Bishop Fianu, the annual pilgrimage is intended to deepen the spiritual lives of young people and strengthen their commitment to the teachings of the Church. He explained that the reflection also drew inspiration from the Lenten messages of Pope Leo XIV and the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, both of which encourage young Catholics to live lives rooted in faith, service and responsibility.
Reflecting on the readings of the Fourth Sunday of Lent, the Bishop recounted the biblical account of God choosing David as king of Israel. He explained that the prophet Samuel initially assumed that Jesse’s eldest son would be selected, but God corrected him, reminding him that while humans judge by outward appearance, God looks at the heart.
The Bishop said the story offers an important lesson on humility and discernment. He therefore advised the youth not to judge people by their physical appearance or social status, but rather to seek God’s direction in making decisions and in selecting leaders. God’s choices, he noted, may differ from human expectations but ultimately fulfil a greater purpose.
Bishop Fianu also reflected on the Gospel account of Jesus healing a blind man on the Sabbath, an act that drew criticism from the Pharisees. According to him, the miracle demonstrated God’s power and highlighted the contrast between spiritual blindness and true faith.
He said accepting Jesus Christ leads believers from darkness into light. However, he cautioned that simply professing faith is not enough. Christians, he stressed, must continually strive to understand God’s will through prayer, discernment and righteous living.
The Bishop encouraged the youth to return to their respective communities spiritually renewed and committed to living exemplary Christian lives. He urged them to become ambassadors of peace and hope, bringing positive change to their families, schools and society while allowing God’s light to guide their actions.
The Dufia of Fodome Tormegbe, Togbe Ze II, advised the youth to stay away from hard drugs, warning that substance abuse could destroy their future and undermine the growth of the Catholic Church in the Ho Diocese and the country as a whole. He urged them to focus on discipline, faith and responsible living for the benefit of both the Church and society.
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