Koforidua Diocese : Former St. George’s Cathedral administrator earns doctorate in liturgy a day before St. George’s feast

A former cathedral administrator in the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua, Very Rev. Fr. Felix Davordzi, has been awarded a doctorate in liturgy from the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of Sant’Anselmo in Rome.

The achievement was announced on 22 April, a day before the Feast of St George, the patron of St George’s Cathedral in Koforidua, where Fr. Davordzi previously served as cathedral administrator.

His doctoral thesis, titled “The Sacraments of Christian Initiation in the Ecclesiastical Province of Accra, Ghana and the Principles of the Liturgical Movement: From 1893 to Present Times”, examines the development of sacramental practice in Ghana within the wider context of the Church’s liturgical renewal.

Fr Davordzi is already known within his diocese for his firm commitment to the proper celebration of the liturgy. His attention to detail and insistence on adherence to liturgical norms earned him the affectionate nickname “IGP”, meaning Inspector General of Priests, among fellow clergy.

His academic milestone comes at a time when Church leaders in West Africa have been raising concerns about liturgical abuses and the need for stronger formation of priests.

In January 2026, 1st Vice President of the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA) and Conference of Episcopal Conferences of West Africa (CERAO) and Bishop of the Koforidua Diocese in Ghana, Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah Agyekum, speaking at a regional gathering of seminary rectors in Accra, stressed that a sound understanding of liturgy is essential from the earliest stages of priestly formation. He warned that failure to instil proper liturgical discipline could lead to deviations once priests are ordained.

The bishop also cautioned against treating the Mass as a performance, highlighting concerns about unauthorised practices, misuse of liturgical items and the introduction of entertainment elements into worship. He further pointed to issues such as the use of unapproved sacramental materials as threats to the integrity of the Eucharist.

Against this backdrop, Fr. Davordzi’s expertise in liturgy is expected to be of particular significance to the local Church.

Observers say his formation and experience could contribute to strengthening liturgical practice and discipline within the diocese and beyond, with the hope that his presence will help address and prevent emerging trends of liturgical abuse.