Churches urged to speak against issues likely to create confusion
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Kumasi, March 8, GNA – The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Sarpong, has called on churches to continue to speak against issues that are likely to create confusion and disunity among the people.
He said Christians needed to demonstrate creativity and courage in envisioning a new future.
Mr Sarpong was addressing the opening ceremony of the first special synod of the Internal Administrative Province of the Anglican Church of Ghana in Kumasi.
The three-day maiden synod has brought together Bishops from the 10 parishes of the church, the laity, councilors, registrars and ministers from other churches.
‘Laying the foundation of the structures for a viable national church (province)’, is the theme.
The Regional Minister said ‘in all our actions and utterances, let us think positively about what the future holds for us as a people and let us always endeavour to set good examples worthy of emulation’.
He said the nation would continue to count on churches and other religious organizations for the spiritual development through prayers to ensure peace and tranquility in the country.
Most Rev. Dr. Daniel Yinkah Sarfo, the Archbishop of the Internal Province, said through the deed of agreement of the joint Anglican Diocesan Council, some progress had been made in the preparation towards changing the status of the church in Ghana to a province.
He said some structures had been laid and a draft constitution for the church in Ghana had be prepared and it was incumbent on all members to play their positive roles to move the church ahead
He said they had met at the synod to continue to lay the foundation for the structures for a viable national church and to accept a common mission statement, elect provincial officials and forge ahead as a full province.
‘We should not allow anybody to take us for granted as if we cannot do anything. We can learn from best practices from elsewhere for example, the Church of Canada, the Church of Australia and the Church of Nigeria’.
The Archbishop thanked God for the example of honesty and sincerity demonstrated by Pope Benedict to resigning on the merit of health and prayed that the Holy Spirit would guide the ‘Search Party’ to elect a new one for the church.
He also congratulated the Most Rev. Dr. Justin Welby on his election as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury and pledged the Province’s support towards his work.
GNA
