Priest expresses worry about materialism in the church

Ejisu (Ash), Sept. 26, GNA- A Roman Catholic Priest has expressed grave worry about the doctrine of prosperity and materialism, which is now creeping into the church of Christ.

Reverend Father Raphael Annan, of the Spiritan Religious Congregation of the Roman Catholic Church, said it was worrying that some religious leaders have turned themselves "into material and prosperity prophets and preachers, while others have become stomach pastors" and warned the public to be wary of such doctrines.

He was speaking at a ceremony to mark the first professional vow taking of 14 seminarians who were joining the Spiritan Community at Ejisu in the Ashanti Region. Four of the seminarians were from Sierra Leone while the rest were Ghanaians.

They took three vows to signify their commitment to poverty reduction, chastity and obedience to the orders of the Congregation. Reverend Father Annan said it was time religious leaders refrained from material and wealth preaching, which had contributed to the struggle for wealth early, especially among the youth and propagated the message of goodness and salvation of Christ to save mankind.

He advised the seminarians to resist the devil at all times by reading their Bibles, praying and reflecting on the word of God always, adding that, they should devote most of their activities to the work of God.