Five Candidates from the Diocese of Ho in the Volta Region, Ghana, were ordained Deacons on 20th December 2022 at the Diocesan pastoral center, Sokode Gbogame , by the Diocesan Bishop Most Rev Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD. One among them was our dear Redemptorist confrère Michael Torwoe CSsR,
The Superior of the Student community Rev Fr Pascal Wendpuiré TIENDREBEOGO CSsR with some other Confrères represented the Vice-Province D’Afrique de L’Ouest to witness the diaconate ordination of Bro. Michael Torwoe C.Ss.R.
Bishop Fianu admonished the Deacons to learn from Mary, the mother of the church, and always listen to God during this period of transition. The bishop also asked the faithful to pray for God’s grace and spirit to descend on the newly ordained Deacons to be true Servant of God.
By: Bro. Dennis OPOKU KUSI, CSsR. (Vice-Province d’Afrique de l’Ouest)
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The Vice-Province of West Africa is made up of Burkina Faso, Niger, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Ghana. The last priestly ordinations of the year 2022 took place in Tiébissou in Côte d’Ivoire on December 31, in the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes held by the Redemptorist Fathers, including Fathers Blaise SAWADOGO and Jonas GALI on a mission. Indeed, two of our young confreres, Tchanli Gildas TOUHE-BI and Yao Jean Luc ADJEI, both from the Archdiocese of Bouaké and of Ivorian nationality, received the grace of the Holy Order of the Presbyterate from the hands of Bishop Alexis TOUABLI, bishop of the diocese of Agboville, and apostolic administrator of the diocese of Yamoussoukro and assuming the presidency of the Episcopal Conference of Côte d’Ivoire. A delegation of Redemptorists from the Vice-Province was present; headed by Father Patrice NYANDA, Vice-Provincial Superior. Also, a great delegation of the faithful of Bouaké from the two parishes from which Fathers Gildas TOHEBI and Jean Luc ADJEI come, as well as their families, wanted to support their sons in their total gift to the mission of Christ the Redeemer. Without forgetting the parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes hosting the ordination celebration, who spared no effort for the perfect accomplishment of the Eucharistic and festive celebration. Bishop Alexis TOUABLI in his homily highlighted the importance and the need for the sacred order in terms accessible to all.
Then followed the rite of ordination. The peculiarity to emphasize is at the time of the anointing of the Holy Cream. Bishop Alexis took great care to completely anoint the hands of the ordained while wrapping them in a white cloth to understand the importance of the anointed hands of the priest, which is to bless and consecrate. With a certain humor, Monsignor said in substance: “if a priest slaps you, then it is a blessed slap”, this denotes the atmosphere in which our young brothers received Holy Orders. Having received the anointing, the young priests concelebrated their first Eucharist celebration with the Bishop.
In addition, Monsignor and Father Patrice NYANDA, Vice-Provincial Superior, each, in turn, addressed a word of thanks to the family members of the new priests, Gildas and Jean Luc.
The young priests had the privilege of celebrating their thanksgiving mass on Sunday, January 1st, 2023 on the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God. As if to say that their ministry is under the benevolent and protective gaze of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Fr. Pascal MONKOUN, C.Ss.R.
