Catholic Churches mark Pope Benedict's 85th birthday and 7th pontificate anniversary

Adherents of the Catholic faith in Ghana on Sunday congregated at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Accra to celebrate the Papal Mass.

The event serves as a platform to commemorate the 7th Anniversary of the pontification and 85th birthday celebration of Pope Benedict IX.

The Most Reverend Alfred Agyenta, Bishop of Navrongo-Bolgantaga, in a sermon, called on Catholic Churches to use the occasion to reflect on the work of early missionaries who laid foundation for the development of the mission.

He reminded Christians to reflect on the need to have a common effort to promote missionary work.

He urged Christians to be spiritually strong and motivated in their daily activities to help promote the word of the Almighty, to all the “four corners of the earth”.

Most Rev. Agyenta asked Christians to pray for peace especially during the on-going biometric registration exercise, to enable eligible voters exercise their franchise during this year’s election.

He said many problems facing the country could be solved by faith in God through prayers and not necessarily depending on government.

“As Christians, we should draw closer to God to help us in all our endeavours”, he advised.

The event was attended by prominent personalities such as the Ambassadors of Spain, Switzerland, India, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Angola, DPR Congo, Guinea, Liberia, Zimbabwe and Mr Victor Gbeho, President of Economic Community Of West African States.**