Catholic Diocese of Koforidua ends first Synod

Koforidua, Feb. 8, GNA - The Catholic Diocese of Koforidua on Saturday ended its first Synod with a call on the parishes and societies in the area to implement the Acts of the Synod, which was promulgated by Bishop Charles Palmer-Buckle of the Diocese.

The promulgation of the 12-chapter Acts was made at a thanksgiving mass at Koforidua, to close the year-long four-session Synod, which began from February last year.

The ceremony coincided with the 10th anniversary celebration of the creation of the Diocese of Koforidua by Pope John Paul 11.

The Synod was under the theme: "The Church as a Family of God and its evangelising mission in the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua: Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household". It was attended by 160 participants drawn from the 26 parishes, societies and religious institutions in the Diocese.

The Acts included chapters on marriage and family life, health, education, financial self-reliance, social communication, youth, justice and peace, liturgy and ecumenism and inter-religious activities. Bishop Palmer-Buckle said the Acts would be a guide for the Diocese for the next five to ten years.

He said though: "The Synod is over, the Synod has just began and the participants and priests, should go back to their parishes, societies and institutions to start the Synod there."

Bishop Palmer-Buckle also requested that the Acts, " should be accepted by all the laity and a guide for the clergy in the diocese in their pastoral work."

The Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Archbishop George Kochery reminded the participants that the Synod was important to the development of the Church.

Among those who attended the ceremony were Bishops Anthony Adanuty and Joseph Francis Essien, of Keta-Akatsi and Wiawso Dioceses respectively.