Tema, Aug. 21, GNA - Members of the Noble Order of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall (Catholic Friendly Society), have been challenged to demonstrate their loyalty and love for Christ through selfless services to the Church and society., and authentic personal witnessing to the faith.
Reverend Father Enyeribe Oguh, of the Saint Anthony Catholic Church at Nungua, who made the call at the opening of the Tema Regional Conference of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall, at the Saint Joseph the Worker Catholic Church at Community Eight in Tema, at the weekend.
He reminded Marshallans that, to lead 93a life of hypocrisy brings dishonour to the Order, and possible damnation to our Noble Knights in shining armour."
The two-day Conference, which brought together Marshallans from Councils and Courts in Tema, Teshie-Nungua and Sakumono, to take stock of their activities for the previous year, had as its theme: "Whatsoever You Did to the Least of My Brothers, You Did Unto Me." Rev Fr Oguh, whose topic was: 93Accounting for the Solidity of the Catholic Church from Birth: The Position of the Marshallans in the Progression Equation," took them through the birth of the Catholic Church; its Discontents-Internal Oppositions-Controversies, Heresies and Schism; the Crusades; the Protestant Reformation; and Knighthood in the Catholic Church.
He recalled that traditionally Knights served the Church as cavalries and soldiers by defending Christendom against pagan and Muslim invaders, but pointed out that this service had become obsolete in the context of today's church and modern states.
Currently, he said, Knights must become non-violent soldiers of Christ, adding that, Catholic Knights, including the Knights and Ladies of Marshall, must become prophetic.
"They must be able to speak the truth, speak up against unjust structures of governance and oppressive corruption in the body politic, as well as undertake non-violent action to influence the system if necessary."
Rev Fr Oguh charged Marshallans to stand up in defence of the weak and oppressed, against dictatorship and abuse of power. He pointed out that in a political office, rather than siding with a corrupt and evil regime, a noble Knight and Lady of the Church should, after consultation with the Church hierarchy, take a firm stand against the regime, and if necessary, work to influence or to remedy the malaise non-violently.
Dr Paul Benpong, Past Regional Grand Knight (PRGK), who spoke on Cancer, under the sub-them of the Conference: 93A Healthy Marshallan, a Healthy Soldier of Christ," advised Ghanaians to take preventive measures to avoid Cervical Cancer in Women and Prostate Cancer in Men. Dr Benpong pointed out that any sexually active woman stood the risk of contracting Cervical Cancer because the disease is transmitted through sexual intercourse.
He said the possibility of women, who started sex early in life, as well as those with multiple sexual partners, contracting the disease, was slim, but added that, Cervical Cancer was one of the cancers that could be prevented.
In the case of Prostate Cancer, the PRGK said it was one of the major sicknesses faced by Man, adding that, in Ghana, it was the second common type of cancer.
Dr Benpong said diets high in fat and meat were associated with the disease, and that it was very rare in Men of less than 50 years of age.
He disclosed that every year, between 100 and 120 people are diagnosed with Prostate Cancer at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Dr Benpong advised Men of 50 years and above, to go for the test at least once or twice every year, adding that, 93exercises are helpful because they help improve immunity against the disease." Earlier in service to open the Conference, Rev Fr Alfred Atta-Eshun, Regional Chaplain of the Church, urged Christians to love one another, by being each other's keeper. Goodwill messages were read by representatives of the Order in Accra East and West.
