The Catholic Church leader said Priests remain free and responsible to teach the social doctrine of the Catholic Church, form consciences according to Gospel values, and speak prophetically on matters concerning justice, human dignity and the common good.
“We are not prevented from teaching on the social doctrine of the Church, forming consciences according to Gospel values or speaking prophetically on issues of justice, human dignity and the common good as guided by the Magisterium,” he added.
His distinction separates the Church’s responsibility to address social issues from partisan political advocacy, allowing Priests to address questions of justice and the common good without identifying the Church or their priestly office with a particular political party or position.
Archbishop Anokye also reminded Priests that the faithful entrusted to their pastoral care have diverse political convictions but remain united through their common baptism.
“Brothers, the people entrusted to us are of different political persuasions, yet they are one in Baptism. Let us be ministers who gather, not scatter,” he said, invoking the words of Luke 11:23.
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The Catholic Archbishop therefore urged Priests to exercise particular discretion in their ministry so that political differences do not become obstacles to ecclesial communion.
The Local Ordinary of Kumasi appealed to the Clergy to receive and implement the directive in a spirit of Priestly obedience and fraternal cooperation.
“I count on your Priestly obedience and fraternal cooperation for the good of souls and for the credibility of the Catholic Church in Kumasi,” Archbishop Anokye said.
He entrusted the Clergy to the intercession of Mary, Queen of Apostles, and St. Joseph the Worker, praying that they would serve the Church “with prudence, courage and charity.”
Fr. Francis Madonna Ayaric of Cape Coast Catholic Archdiocese contributed to this story.
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