Newly ordained priests of the Ghana Liberia Province of the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) have been urged not to treat the priesthood as a business or use their vocation for personal gain.
Preaching at the ordination of four deacons to the priesthood and one seminarian to the diaconate at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Asutsuare on Saturday, Auxiliary Bishop of Guayaquil, Ecuador, Most Rev. John Kwamevi Cudjoe,SVD described such conduct as “corruption” and “criminal”, urging the newly ordained to remain faithful to their calling.
“You are not business men,” he told them. “Don’t leave what the Church has entrusted to you to do your business. That will be called corruption.”
The Ghanaian born bishop reminded the ordinands that their formation had been made possible through the sacrifices of their families, benefactors and the wider Church, stressing that priesthood is a vocation of service rather than an avenue for personal enrichment.
He cautioned that every resource entrusted to a priest should be used for God’s mission and the good of the faithful, particularly the poor, warning against the temptation to pursue personal interests at the expense of pastoral responsibilities.
Bishop Cudjoe further criticised priests who accumulate wealth while neglecting the mission entrusted to them, saying such conduct betrays the confidence and sacrifices of those who supported their formation.
“So when you are stealing from the society and the Church, that is criminal, that is corruption,” he said.
The bishop also urged the newly ordained priests to remain humble and remember that every gift they receive in ministry comes because they represent Christ and not because of personal status or achievement. He reminded them that the faithful look to priests to celebrate the sacraments, heal wounded hearts and lead people to God through lives of integrity and faithful service.
Watch full homily below
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