“Our charisms are precious but none exists for itself” – Bishop Louis tells consecrated persons

“Our charisms are precious but none exists for itself,” he said in his homily at the closing Mass of the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious, Ghana (CMSR-Gh) Plenary Assembly in Wa on October 9.

Bishop Louis called for greater collaboration among congregations, urging them to move beyond asking what each institute could sustain and instead consider “what does the church need and how can we contribute together?”

He said collaboration could include sharing formation resources, working together on pastoral projects and making better use of personnel and other resources.

The bishop also cautioned that restructuring institutions and revising budgets would not be enough to secure the future of consecrated life without a deeper spiritual renewal.

“The future will not be secured simply by preserving or changing structures. It will be secured by renewing the life within the various structures of the various congregations,” he said.

He urged consecrated persons to ensure that their communities remain places of prayer and fraternity and that their schools, healthcare facilities and other ministries promote human dignity and respond to the needs of the poor and vulnerable.

Bishop Louis further challenged them to make Christ’s victory visible through their lives and service, bringing hope to young people, accompanying families and remaining present among communities affected by poverty, displacement and social exclusion.

Concluding his homily, he urged participants to make the plenary a moment of personal and collective commitment.

“Trust God more deeply. Collaborate more generously. Renew courageously. Put Christ’s mission before institutional self-interest,” he said.

The plenary, held from October 4 to 10, was under the theme, “Synodal paths to mission sustainability: walking together in hope.”