Hasten slowly in resolving religious conflicts in schools

Archbishop Dr George Slezer Ofori-Atta, Presiding Archbishop of the Council of World Bishops and International Council for Clergy, has urged government to take great care in solving the religious issue between the mission schools and the Muslim wards.

He said government must hasten cautiously in mapping out a lasting solution to the matter so that it does not create confusion and indiscipline in the schools.

Archbishop Ofori-Atta gave the advice in a keynote address during the Council of World Bishops' 32nd international public ministerial ordination and elevation.

New bishops and apostles of all nations were admitted into the membership of the Council while the occasion was also used to celebrate the 12th anniversary of the consecration of the Presiding Archbishop.

Archbishop Ofori-Atta said: “It is unfortunate, the speed with which the government came out with directives that Muslim children should be allowed to use the Hijab at schools and that anyone who stops them shall be sanctioned.”

He said it was a fact that the country is a secular state and the Council acknowledged the constitutional mandate of freedom of worship and for that matter, no particular religion can necessarily impost its practices on others.

“However most schools were established by the missionaries and have certain rules governing the running of these institutions that regulate the conduct of pupils for discipline, order and decency,” he said.

Archbishop Ofori-Atta said: “Religious bodies in this nation have co-existed peacefully over the years to date. We pray that that rapport shall continue to exist amongst them so that our nation shall forge ahead in development in peace and stability,” he said.

The Council of World Bishops was established barely a year ago which consists of apostles and bishops from all over the world.

It objectives are to bring sound doctrinal teachings to the body of Christ, help correct certain anomalies amongst the clergy incongruous with the spirit of biblical teachings and also be a prophetic voice to give directions to the society.