Most Reverend Joseph Osei-Bonsu, immediate past President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops
The Most Reverend Joseph Osei-Bonsu, the immediate past President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, in his Easter message has asked Ghanaians to take care of God’s creation in view of the many threats to the environment.
He noted that sanitation menace, rapid rate of deforestation, bush fires, the clearing of natural habitats for mining, especially surface mining or “galamsey”' were threats that could have socio-economic consequences on the nation if not stopped immediately.
Most Rev. Osei-Bonsu, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Konongo-Mampong Diocese, in a telephone interview with the Ghana News Agency, on Friday, condemned the widespread use of agro-chemicals and harmful weedicides and pesticides.
He said these chemicals would harm the soil, plants, animals, human beings, lakes, underground water and rivers and advised Ghanaians to exercise extreme precaution when using those chemicals.
He also advised Ghanaians to avoid littering the environment with plastic waste like; sachet water bags and non-organic substances since they would have environmental consequences.
Commenting on Easter and the essence of Christ’s death, he asked Christians not to take Christ’s salvation for granted but should work out their own salvation “with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).
He said Christians’ acceptance of Christ as their saviour must show good works and lead Christ-like lives worthy of the calling.
This, he said, implied that Christians must obey God’s commandments and lead morally upright lives in view of the judgment after death.
He urged Christians to celebrate Easter by reflecting on Christ’s victory over death, instead of engaging in social vices.
‘‘Easter is not for excessive drinking, eating, adultery, fornication and engaging in all sorts of social vices that defeat the purpose of Christ’s death,’’ he added.
Easter Sunday is a festival and holiday celebrated by millions of Christians and people around the world who honour the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
It is described in the New Testament as having occurred three days after Jesus Christ crucifixion at Calvary.
Easter is Christianity’s most important holiday and has been called a moveable feast because it doesn’t fall on a set date every year, as most holidays do.
