CLERGYMEN URGED TO RE-EXAMINE THEIR LIFESTYLES (PAGE 40)

THE Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid, has charged members of the clergy to periodically re-examine themselves to know where they fall short.
He said in the face of the many challenges confronting modern-day Christians, such as immorality, dishonesty, corruption and violence in all spheres of life, there was no doubt that the congregation needed priests now more than ever before.
Mr Khalid said Christianity being a way of life, there was the need for priests and ministers, as leaders of churches, to place more emphasis on salvation in their teachings, instead of prosperity and miracle-related topics.
The regional minister was addressing the opening ceremony of the annual general meeting of the Wa Diocesan Priests Association (WADPA) at Jirapa.
The event was on the theme, “Strengthening the Weary Limbs for a More Effective Ministry”.
Mr Khalid suggested that a governing body of Christians should be constituted to establish clear-cut standards within which churches would operate.
That, he said, would streamline the activities of some modern-day churches and also nip in the bud religious bodies that had sprung up with the sole aim of satisfying the ulterior motives of its founders.
Commenting on the contributions of the Catholic Church in the country, the regional minister lauded the role of the church in the region in particular and the country in general.
He highlighted some of the developmental challenges facing the region, such as high infant mortality rate, poor health delivery system and the falling standards of education, and gave the assurance that the government would strive to improve the situation.
The Vicar General of the Wa Catholic Diocese, Rev Fr Cornelius Naah Bayirnoba, called on worshippers to work hand-in-hand with priests in their efforts to strengthen the spiritual well-being of the church.
He also urged worshippers not to exaggerate their expectations of priests.
Rev Fr Bayirnoba advised priests to remain steadfast and ensure that there was constant communication with God to enhance their efforts at seeking the face of the Lord in their daily deliberations.
For his part, the President of WADPA, Rev Fr Matthew Tuurosong, paid tribute to the early missionaries for their role in the establishment of the church at Jirapa, in spite of the harsh living conditions at the time.