The Emeritus Bishop of Jasikan Diocese in Ghana, Most Rev. Gabriel Mante, has urged Catholics to draw inspiration not only from the Church’s canonised saints but also from faithful men and women whose lives continue to bear witness to Christ.
He described Emeritus Bishop Anthony Kwami Adanuty as a model of humility, resilience and trust in God during celebrations marking his 60th anniversary of priestly ordination on August 1.
Delivering the homily at the thanksgiving Mass on Saturday, Bishop Mante said the Church should recognise and emulate the witness of exemplary Christians while they are still living.
“I have sometimes observed that there seems to be a tendency among some of us Catholics to concentrate all our efforts, or most of it, on learning about and imitating only the martyrs and saints of our Church,” he said.
While stressing that he was not questioning devotion to the saints, Bishop Mantey said Catholics should also learn from people whose lives reflect the Gospel in their daily witness.
“All that I’m attempting to do here is to raise a question about learning from and imitating our faithful Catholics and Christians… whose life is good and upright,” he said.
Turning to Bishop Adanuty, he challenged the congregation to reflect on the legacy of the retired bishop while he is still among them.
“So, the question is, can we learn anything from Bishop Adanuty, now that he’s still alive and among us? Can we see his footsteps in the sands of history and put our steps in his?” he asked.
Bishop Mantey said the Diamond Jubilee was not only a celebration of six decades of priestly ministry but also an opportunity to thank God for a life lived in faithful service.
Reflecting on Bishop Adanuty’s journey since his ordination on July 31, 1966, he recalled the Latin expression Tempus fugit (“Time flies”), saying it reminds Christians that time belongs to God.
“We as human beings have no control over time,” he said, before quoting Psalm 90: “Teach us to number our days that we may gain wisdom of heart.”
According to Bishop Mantey, Bishop Adanuty has always understood his vocation as God’s initiative rather than a personal achievement.
Quoting the Gospel chosen by the jubilarian, he said the words of Christ, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last” (John 15:16), perfectly summarised his understanding of priestly life.
“He owes his life, vocation and ministry as a priest and bishop totally to God’s initiative and choice, and not because of his merits,” Bishop Mantey said.
The retired bishop also reflected on the many trials Bishop Adanuty had encountered throughout his ministry, saying they could have led him away from his vocation.
“But he persisted. He exercised resilience because he knows God was always a step ahead of him,” he said.
Bishop Mantey noted that Bishop Adanuty’s confidence in God was sustained by the words of Scripture, especially the verse, “Be still and know that I am God,” which he described as a constant source of trust and assurance throughout his ministry.
He illustrated that resilience by recalling Bishop Adanuty’s first assignment after ordination at St Mary’s Junior Seminary, where the young priest taught Mathematics, English and French while also preparing senior students for their GCE O Level examinations.
Bishop Mantey recounted, with humour, how Bishop Adanuty patiently taught him Mathematics.
“He tried. He did not fail, I failed,” he said, drawing laughter from the congregation.
Beyond the classroom, Bishop Adanuty also undertook pastoral work in nearby mission stations, travelling on an old motorcycle that frequently broke down.
Despite the difficult conditions, Bishop Mantey said, he served with remarkable zeal and determination.
“This assignment made him manifest the spirit of not giving up in the face of difficulties. And this is something we, whether old or young, have to learn from Bishop Adanuty,” he said.
He added that Bishop Adanuty’s life had always been marked by complete trust in God, recalling his words during the celebration of his Golden Jubilee: “I know in whom I have placed my trust” (2 Timothy 1:12).
Bishop Mantey also reflected on Bishop Adanuty’s acceptance of his appointment to the episcopacy, describing it as another act of humility and surrender to God’s will.
He recalled the Scripture passage Bishop Adanuty chose for his episcopal ordination: “I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in awe of you.”
According to the preacher, humility is the defining characteristic of Bishop Adanuty’s life and ministry.
“I have no doubt in my mind that it is his humility that has led him to accept his limitations, not only as a human being, but as a priest, and later as a bishop,” he said.
He said that humility, strengthened by forgiveness and total dependence on God, had become the foundation of Bishop Adanuty’s tireless service to the Church.
“I believe this humility of his is the power behind his spirit of hard and unrelenting work. Indeed, anything extraordinary, anything exceptional, we observe about Bishop Adanuty stems from his humble and profound understanding of himself that all that he is and has is a gift from God.”
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