The President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, has called for greater participation of all the baptised in the life and mission of the Catholic Church, stressing that the responsibility of evangelisation and service is not limited to Bishops, priests and consecrated persons.
He said every baptised Christian has a responsibility to contribute to the growth of the Church and its service to society, according to their respective vocations, gifts and states of life.
“The Church’s mission is not the exclusive preserve of Bishops, Priests and Consecrated Persons,” Bishop Gyamfi said in his keynote address at the opening of the 2026 Plenary Assembly of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference on Monday, November 9, at the Our Lady of Grace SHS auditorium, Konongo-Mampong Diocese.
He explained that through Baptism and Confirmation, all the faithful participate in Christ’s prophetic, priestly and kingly mission, adding that the gifts received by each baptised person are intended for the building up of the Church and the service of the world.
Bishop Gyamfi emphasised the need for the Church to recognise and meaningfully integrate the contributions of different groups into its pastoral life and decision-making processes.
He specifically identified young people, women and men, catechists, teachers, healthcare professionals, farmers, traders, workers, persons with disabilities and people on the margins of society as voices that must be recognised and valued in ecclesial communities.
The call formed part of his reflection on the theme of the Plenary Assembly, “Communion, Participation and Mission: Preparing the Catholic Church in Ghana for Her 150th Anniversary.”
He explained that while communion establishes the identity of the faithful as one People of God, participation gives practical expression to the shared responsibility that flows from that identity.
Beyond participation in the Church’s internal life, Bishop Gyamfi stressed that communion and participation must ultimately find expression in the Church’s mission to evangelise and serve humanity.
“The Church does not exist for herself; she exists to proclaim Christ and to make present the saving love of God in the world,” he said.
He further described mission as the very reason for the Church’s existence, rather than simply one pastoral activity among several.
For the Catholic Church in Ghana, he said, this missionary responsibility must extend to every sphere of human life, including homes, schools, universities, workplaces, hospitals, markets, public institutions and digital spaces.
He urged the Church to demonstrate the Gospel not only through preaching but also through its commitment to human dignity, justice and peace, solidarity with the poor and vulnerable, environmental protection and the formation of consciences.
Bishop Gyamfi also called for renewed commitment to Catholic education and healthcare, the formation of responsible citizens and the advancement of the common good.
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