“The poor do not need sermons that weigh them down; they need Good News that lifts them up” – Auxiliary Bishop of Accra

Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, Most Rev. John Kobina Louis has sent a reminder to priests that their mission is to bring hope and life to the poor, not to burden them with teachings that leave them feeling weighed down.

Delivering a homily during Chrism Mass at Holy Spirit Cathedral in Accra on Tuesday, the bishop said, “The poor do not need sermons that weigh them down; they need Good News that lifts them up,” Bishop Louis said, urging priests to focus on preaching hope, compassion, and the presence of God in the lives of those suffering.

He stressed that poverty in Ghana is not only material but also emotional, with many facing loneliness, despair, and spiritual insecurity.

“To preach the Good News to the poor means preaching hope in the midst of suffering, proclaiming that God has not abandoned them, and making the Church a place where the poor feel seen, welcomed, and valued,” he said.

Bishop Louis also called on priests to liberate those trapped by fear, superstition, or false teachings, and to guide the spiritually blind toward clarity and understanding of the faith.

He noted that the ministry must be both sacramental and practical, combining spiritual care with tangible support for the oppressed and vulnerable.

“Through us, captives should find freedom, the blind receive sight, the poor hear Good News, and the oppressed be lifted up,” he said, reminding clergy that their priesthood should be a blessing, not a burden.

Watch Homily here.