Nuncio opens Pastoral Centre

Koforidua (Eastern Region) -- The Papal Pro-Nuncio to Ghana and Togo, His Grace George Kocherry, on Saturday inaugurated two facilities of the Diocesan Pastoral/Training Centre at Koforidua estimated at three billion cedis at Koforidua.

The administrative block and a 120-bed youth hostel estimated at 120,000 and 250,000 dollars respectively, is the first phase of the project being financed by the Church and foreign donors. The inauguration also marked the tenth anniversary of the Koforidua diocese.

His Lordship Charles Palmer-Buckle, Bishop of Koforidua said the project, which was launched in April 1999, also include a conference hall, a dining hall/kitchen complex, a senior hostel, a chapel and prayer gardens.

He said when completed, the centre would promote leadership training in the pastoral life and social teachings of the Church.

Bishop Palmer-Buckle paid tribute to foreign donors including the Diocese of St Poelten in Austria, Misereor and Missio Dioceses of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, Munster and Cologne in Germany respectively, the architects, engineers and the contractors, Messrs Antartic Construction for completing the facilities within two years.

Most Rev Kocherry commended members of the Church for embarking on the project, which he said was an appreciation of Pope John Paul's decision to create the diocese.

He expressed his admiration to Ghanaians for the continued attachment to their cultural and traditional values, especially towards maintaining strong family bonds, despite the invasion of foreign influence.

He asked Catholics to strive to build their families as the "family of God" by upholding the moral teachings of the Church and to ensure that their children entered its vocations.

Over 83 million cedis and 200 dollars was realised in an appeal for funds for the continuation of the project.