Two Ghanaian seminarians among 17 ordained deacons in Rome

Two Ghanaian seminarians, Ebenezer Addai and Bismark Anokye, have been ordained deacons in Rome.

Ebenezer Addai of the Sunyani Diocese and Bismark Anokye of the Diocese of Obuasi were among 17 young men ordained during a ceremony presided over by Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization on April 25.

Their ordination marks their formal entry into the clerical state through the diaconate following years of formation. During the homily, Cardinal Tagle acknowledged the support systems that shaped the candidates, noting that every ordained minister is “the fruit of prayer, of love, of encouragement, of tears and testimony of people, of many people who form a community.”

He also expressed gratitude to parents, families, dioceses, bishops, seminaries, formation teams, and the academic community of the Pontifical Urban College and the Pontifical Urbanian University for their role in preparing the candidates.

A central message of the homily was the importance of community in ordained ministry. Cardinal Tagle stressed that ministers must not live in isolation but remain rooted in the community that formed them.

He stated that “every ordained minister must also be a person of the community, non-individualistic, a community member who builds communion and participation through his or her service.”

Drawing on the teaching of Saint Paul, he reflected on the Church as one body with many members, where each person contributes according to the gifts received from the Holy Spirit. Unity, he stressed, is sustained through the participation of all.

Cardinal Tagle also reminded the newly ordained that they begin their ministry in a world facing serious challenges.

He noted that “the human family is torn by wars, inequalities, injustices, exploitation and ethnic and tribal conflicts,” adding that even some of the candidates’ home countries experience these realities.

He urged them to respond to “the cry of the wounded world that implores unity, communion” by allowing it to inspire their diaconal ministry, guided by the Word of God and the teaching of the Church.

Another key focus of the homily was the meaning of service in the Church. Cardinal Tagle noted that service is not merely functional but deeply spiritual.

He stated clearly: “Service is sacred. Service is sacred in the body of Christ. It’s not a job, it’s a sacred thing.”

He further stressed that this ministry is entrusted not on the basis of status or academic achievement, but to those filled with wisdom and the Holy Spirit. Referencing the early Church, he explained that the ministry of service emerged to address inequality and care for the vulnerable.

He added that “the inspired service of the Holy Spirit heals the wounds of division,” and insisted that genuine reconciliation comes not through force or conflict, but through sincere, spiritually grounded service.

The Cardinal further pointed to the foundation of authentic Christian service as a relationship with Christ.

Quoting Jesus, he said: “Remain in my love.” He explained that Christian service flows from this love, pointing out that “Service is not slavery, but friendship with Jesus.”

He encouraged the new deacons to remain faithful to this friendship, warning them not to exchange it for false attachments, and assuring them that through such a relationship, they would be able to serve all people with genuine love.

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