Auxiliary Bishop of Guayaquil, Ecuador, Most Rev. John Kwamevi Cudjoe, SVD has criticised priests who pursue comfortable lifestyles at the expense of the poor, saying such behaviour betrays the sacrifices of the faithful.
Addressing newly ordained SVD priests and a deacon at the 2026 SVD Ghana Province ordination at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Asutsuare on Saturday, Bishop Cudjoe warned against becoming attached to comfort, wealth and privilege.
“We have many poor people around us, and they won’t accept to have priests who want to live comfort lives,” he said.
He described it as “criminal” when priests enjoy the sacrifices of poor parishioners while failing to live simply and responsibly.
The bishop also criticised priests who neglect their duties because they are guaranteed food, accommodation and financial support, saying this can foster complacency rather than service.
He urged the newly ordained to remain close to the poor, reminding them that the faithful support priests because they see them as “men of God” and expect lives marked by sacrifice, integrity and compassion.
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