Rejoinder: Ecumenism taken too far? Catholic priest worships with Muslims to mark Eid-Ul-Fitr

Catholic Trends earlier today reported an incident with the headline “Ecumenism taken too far? Catholic priest worships with muslims to mark Eid-Ul-Fitr”

The story has since generated mixed reactions from our audience.

Catholic Trends wishes to state that no malice was intended in carrying out the story. We do apologise to our cherished readers for the unintended confusion between interreligious dialogue and ecumenism.

We have over the period promoted the Catholic faith in a way that presents it as one that embraces other faiths.

Our February 21 story with the headline ‘Why a Nigerian Bishop built a Mosque for Muslims in his Diocese” and another with the headline “Wa Diocesan Christian-Muslim, Dialogue Committee’s Goodwill message for Ramadan” are proof of our unrelenting effort in promoting religious tolerance.

The headline of the story sort to highlight concerns raised by a section of the public on the original post made by St. Mary Catholic Church in Asamankese and not to promote hate nor define what happened in Asamankese as ecumenism.

Ecumenism in the eyes of the Catholic faith was clearly defined in the story published by Catholic Trends as follows;

Ecumenism in the Catholic Church is the movement towards unity among all Christians. The Catholic Church has been promoting ecumenism since the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, which emphasized the need for Christians to work together to promote peace and unity.

The Catholic Church recognizes the importance of dialogue and collaboration with other Christian denominations in order to promote mutual understanding and respect. The Church also acknowledges that there are many areas of common ground among different Christian traditions, such as a belief in the Holy Trinity and the importance of prayer.

The Catholic Church encourages its members to engage in ecumenical activities such as joint prayer services, dialogue sessions, and shared social action projects with members of other Christian traditions. It also seeks to collaborate with other Christian denominations on issues of common concern, such as social justice and human rights.

However, the Catholic Church maintains that there are certain aspects of its faith that are essential and cannot be compromised, such as the belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the authority of the Pope. Nevertheless, it continues to promote dialogue and collaboration with other Christian traditions while respecting the differences that exist between them.

Why the priest worshiped with the Muslim community
Checks by Catholic Trends indicate that the move by the Assistant Parish Priest of the St. Mary Catholic Church, Asamankese, Rev. Fr Martin Delali Attitson and some parishioners to join the Muslim community in Asamankese to celebrate the end of Ramadan on the day of Eid-Ul-Fitr was to reciprocate a similar gesture extended by the Muslim community in December.

Muslim leaders for the first time in the history of the Church joined Mass to mark the birth of Christ.

Catholic-Muslim dialogue in Ghana

In May 2022, a national dialogue between Muslim and Catholic leaders was held in Accra to deepen religious tolerance to safeguard the prevailing peace and security in the country.

It formed part of efforts to ensure that the country remains an oasis of peace in the midst of disturbances occurring in some neighbouring countries in the West African sub-region.

The maiden dialogue, which was held on May 26, 2022, was aimed at deepening the pleasant relationship that exists between Christians and Muslims and building upon the collaboration for the common good of the country.

Among participants were Islamic clerics, the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana, Alhaji Maulvi Mohammed Bin Salih, Catholic priests, including then President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), the Most Rev. Philip Naameh, and his vice, the Most Rev. Charles Palmer-Buckle.

In 2019, the National Chief Imam in an unprecedented fashion joined hundreds of congregants at Christ the King Parish Church to observe Easter as part of the Muslim leader’s centenary birth anniversary.

Sheikh Dr. Osman Nuhu Sharubutu led a high-powered delegation made up of his spokesman, Alhaji Aremeyaw Shaibu, Sheikh Abdul Kadiri English, Dagomba Chief to the church as part of his centenary celebration.

They were welcomed by Rev. Father Campbell and ushered into the church where they listened to the sermon delivered by Rev. Father Campbell.

In February this year, the Moderator of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EP) Ghana, Rt Rev. Lt Col. Bliss Divine Kofi Agbeko (retd), observed that the ability of the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, to relate well with Christians and Muslims is commendable, and as such must be emulated by all.

He said such an attitude engendered peace in the society and expressed the hope that such leadership qualities were replicated in every facet of society where there was a Moslem and Christian relationship.

Rt Rev. Lt Col Agbeko made the observation when he led the leadership of the EP Church, Ghana to call on Dr. Bawumia at his office at the Jubilee House today (February 22, 2023).

In March this year, former Parish Priest of Christ the King Catholic Church, Rev. Father Andrew Campbell commissioned a mosque for use by the Weija Leprosarium.

The project to serve Muslims of the Leprosarium was in commemoration of his 77th birthday.

Catholic Trends supports the peaceful coexistence among different religious groups in the country and commend efforts by religious leaders in the country to maintain the same.

We will continue to serve you the best with the highest level of professionalism and accuracy you deserve.