On the 2nd of August 2024, the faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Wa, had the joy of witnessing a very rare ceremony, the Episcopal Ordination of their new Shepherd, Bishop Francis Bomansaan. This ceremony quenched their thirst for a leader, since the death of late Bishop, Cardinal Richard Baawobr, M.Afr. on the 27th of November 2022.
Many dignitaries graced this occasion, among them were Bishops from Ghana, Burkina Faso and the Democratic Republic of Congo. There were many priests, religious men and women and lay faithful at the ceremony. The Lavigerie Family was fully represented by over fifty (50) confrères (priests and brothers) from the Society of the Missionaries of Africa (M.Afr.), and some Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (MSOLA). There were also dignitaries from the political class, other religious leaders as well as traditional leaders. The ordination took place at the Wa Sports Stadium.
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Tamale, Most Rev. Philip Naameh led the consecration ceremony with the Bishop Emeritus of Wa, Most Rev. Paul Bemile and Most Rev. Mathew Kwasi Gyamfi, the Bishop of Sunyani and President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference co-consecrating.
Homily of Bishop Peter Paul Angkyier
At the opening of his homily, the Bishop of Damongo Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Paul Angkyier, invited the faithful to pause a moment to commend the souls of the late Cardinal Bishop Baawobr and that of the late Rev. Fr. Edward Tengan (Diocesan Administrator after the death of Cardinal Richard), to the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ. Bishop Angkyier acknowledged the fervent prayers of the faithful of Wa Diocese for a worthy successor since the demise of the late Cardinal Richard Baawobr, adding that God has indeed answered their prayers, in the gift of Very Rev. Francis Bomansaan, M.Afr. as the new Bishop of Wa Diocese.
Commenting on the first reading from the prophet Isaiah, Bishop Angkyier said ‘indeed God has chosen our Bishop-elect Bomansaan, a missionary who worked in the remotest part of the earth in Tanzania and indeed in far-away countries, such as Kenya, United Kingdom, Poland, Zambia, and also in Rome. He chose him to come back and serve his people. Many years of his missionary experience in these far-away countries and remote places have endowered him as we heard from the bull, endowed him with gifts and talents, and indeed prepared him to be the shepherd of this diocese. Through his ministry, the great missionary spirit of this diocese will be revived and fanned into flames.’
Adding that the Prophet Isaiah makes it evident that the election of Monsignor Francis is an expression of God’s mercy and special love for this great diocese of Wa, he invited all to give thanks to God for the gift of the bishop-elect, whose ministry will be a blessing to the diocese of Wa and the entire Catholic Church.
He then proceeded to reiterate the functions of the bishop according to Lumen Gentium which are summarised into three, sanctifying, teaching, and governing. He reminded the faithful that “one of the principal duties of the bishop as successor of the Apostles is to be a preacher of the Good News and teacher of the faith after the example of Jesus Christ the great teacher”.
As part of his prophetic role, the bishop must be the “voice of the voiceless in social, political and moral issues”, which according to Bishop Angkyier is even greater today “where political, social and religious rights are often trampled upon by so many forces.”
The bishop must “opt for the poor, suffering, the oppressed, the weak and the marginalised in society.”
He reminded the bishop-elect of the difficulty of preaching the gospel today, where many Christians want a nice convenient faith, which allows them to live their lives “undisturbed and unencumbered”. Bishop Angkyier continued that this task requires much “resolve, integrity and commitment”.
The bishop-elect was encouraged not to be afraid of being faithful to preaching the gospel even if it will bring him a great measure of suffering, dislike and hate from others, because God, through the prophet Isaiah in the first reading, assures him of his “protection, strength, help and victory over the enemy”.
Commenting on the gospel reading in which Jesus asked Peter three times “do you love me,” Bishop Angkyier highlighted the fact that “Jesus confers on Peter a pastoral mission as the chief shepherd and ruler over the whole flock”. He added, that this episode brought Peter a mission and a cross, to feed, shepherd and care for the sheep, in the absence of Jesus.
He reminded the bishop-elect that he has been called to love his sheep following the example of Jesus, even to the point of laying down his life for them: “Know that as bishop, your love for Jesus and your fidelity to his commandments will be evidenced to the extent that you love and care for your flock, even the stubborn sheep.”
Highlighting the fact that many faithful within the diocese are going back to traditional religion, in their search for answers to their questions about the faith, Bishop Angkyier invited the bishop-elect to pay attention to the pastoral needs of the youth, who are the future of the Church.
Bishop Angkyier admonished the bishop-elect to be exemplary saying, “As a bishop, you are to be a model of love and discipleship to your priests, religious men and women and the laity as well. In this way you will sanctify your flock by your example, your witness of love.”
Speech of Rev. Fr. Stanley Lubungo
In his congratulatory speech, the Superior General of the Missionaries of Africa, Rev. Fr. Stanley Lubungo, M.Afr. congratulated the new Bishop, assuring him of the continues prayers and support from his confreres as he leads the Diocese of Wa towards a future filled with hope, faith and Christ’s love. The Superior General noted: “For us Missionaries of Africa, your confreres, your appointment is a testimony of your unwavering dedication, your deep faith, and exemplary leadership within the Society and in the Church.” He testified to the pastoral wisdom, humility, vision, passion and love of Bishop Francis, adding: Over the years, and having particularly had the privilege to work alongside you in our General Council for the past two years in Rome, I have witnessed first-hand your profound commitment to the Mission and your compassionate service to God’s people and to our confreres.”
He finally congratulated the People of God in the Diocese of Wa for having given Bishop Francis, their son, and 23 others to the Society of the Missionaries of Africa, for the service of the Mission outside their own diocese and country, appreciating the exemplary commitment of these Missionaries.
Fr. Lubungo revealed that one of the challenges Bishop Francis had to deal with was the ‘idea of returning to his home diocese and country for good, which he had accepted to leave when he answered the call to be a missionary.’ He then echoed to all present the same words he told Bishop Francis before he left Rome: “This is not a return home; this is an appointment to the Mission that awaits to be fulfilled in this diocese.”
Other Congratulations
At the end of the Episcopal ordination, the new Bishop Francis Bomansaan was congratulated and encouraged by the many dignitaries who graced the occasion such as Cardinal Appiah Turkson, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, Most Rev. Mathew Kwasi Gyamfi, the President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Bishop of Sunyani, Most Rev. Philip Naameh, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Tamale, Most Rev. Paul Bemile, Bishop Emeritus of Wa, and the former President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama among others.
Indeed, the Episcopal ordination of the bishop-elect of Wa was a memorable one and we give thanks to the Almighty God for choosing Bishop Francis Bomansaan to lead the flock of Wa Diocese. We continue to pray for him and the good people of this diocese which was first evangelised by the Missionaries of Africa. Congratulations to Most Rev. Francis Bomansaan, M.Afr. and the good people of Wa Catholic Diocese.
By: Vitus Danaa Abobo, M.Afr.