VOL. 82 NO. 31 Electronic Edition GHANA’S NATIONAL CATHOLIC WEEKLY ESTD. IN 1938 SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 2020 – SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2020 PRICE GH¢2.00 ‘CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY’

Rev. Fr. Arturo Sosa, Superior General of the mistake, if we want to make the world more Jesuits has said democracy and efforts to build a fraternal and just.” “To discriminate against migrants is a great more just world in many countries, apart from danger and would be a sign of a world that we do human lives and jobs, are also being threatened by Fr. Sosa the coronavirus pandemic. Continued on page 3 “Democracy can be one of the victims of the pandemic if we do not take care with our political condition,” he told the Vatican News in an interview on July 31 on the eve of the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. Stop Attacks on Peace Pope Francis, also a Jesuit, joined Fr. Sosa and his confreres for a feast-day lunch at the Order's headquarters, near the Vatican. Council – Nana Dr. Asante Fr. Sosa said “At this time, for example, many Story on page 3 governments, including so-called democratic governments, are taking the path of authoritarianism.” Jesuits, inspired by St. Ignatius and other Catholics, he added, know that being close to the poor is always important, but especially during this Pope Says COVID-19 pandemic. “If we are not capable of looking at the world up Pandemic Should Raise close, sharing the point of view of the poor, which is the point of view of the crucified Jesus, then we will make mistakes in our decisions,” he said. Questions About Faith According to him, many governments are using the pandemic as an excuse to restrict or end their Story on page 2 assistance to migrants and refugees, “which is a great President Launches First Ghana- assembled Volkswagen Vehicles See page 12 2 THE CATHOLIC STANDARD Electronic Edition Sunday, August 9 – Saturday, August 15, 2020

CATHOLIC Pope Says COVID Pandemic Should Raise Questions about Faith World News stay healthy, mourn the dead by Cardinal Walter Kasper and published in late July by the them that Christ is present, as and protect others, the P a l l o t t i n e F r . G e o r g e Vatican publishing house, and He promised, where two or coronavirus pandemic Augustin, Director of the includes essays by: U.S. three gather in His name”, the s h o u l d b e p r o m p t i n g “Cardinal Walter Kasper Paulist Father Mark-David Pope said. Christians to reflect on their Institute for Ecumenism, Janus, who was struck by the A s t h e p a n d e m i c faith. Theology, and Spirituality”. virus; the Czech theologian continues, he said, Christians "The pandemic poses "It reminds us that we Father Tomas Halik; Swiss should turn more resolutely to fundamental questions about have forgotten and neglected Cardinal Kurt Koch, who God, "our help and our aim," happiness in our lives and some of the important things in succeeded Cardinal Kasper as and should listen more about the treasure of our life and makes us reflect on President of the Pontifical carefully to the cry of the poor Christian faith," the Holy what is truly important and Council for Promoting and of the earth. Father wrote in the preface to a necessary and what is less C h r i s t i a n U n i t y a n d Theological reflection on s h o r t b o o k o f i n i t i a l important or only apparently Archbishop Bruno Forte of t h e p a n d e m i c a n d t h e Pope Francis theological reflections, so," Pope Francis wrote. Chieti-Vasto, Italy. experience of the past months, prompted by COVID-19 and In addition to the preface While the initial period of Pope Francis added, should its global impact. by Pope Francis are essays by lockdown was "a painful time give rise to "new hope and new ope Francis says, Originally published in Cardinal Kasper and Fr. of eucharistic fasting" for solidarity." -- CNS b e s i d e s t h e German with the title, "Being Augustin. many Catholics, it also showed i m m e d i a t e P Christians in the Coronavirus The Italian edition, titled considerations of trying to Crisis," the book was curated "Communion and Hope," was Pope Francis Appoints New Europe’s Economies Plunging into Personal Secretary he Holy See press office said on August 1 that 41-year-old Coronavirus Recession Rev. Fr. Fabio Salerno would succeed Rev. Msgr. Yoannis TLahzi Gaid, as the Pope's new Personal Secretary. h e E u r o p e a n Msgr. Gaid, a Coptic Catholic Priest born in the Egyptian capital Cairo, served in the role since April 2014. The 45-year-old Eastern Union's statistics Catholic, the first to hold the position, will now work with the “Higher Ta g e n c y , t h e Committee of Human Fraternity”, a body formed after the Pope and the “ E u r o s t a t ” r e p o r t s Grand Imam of Al-Azhar signed the Document on Human Fraternity in significant economic falls Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in February, 2019. within the 27-nation bloc. The new personal secretary, Fr. Salerno currently works in the A c r o s s t h e E U , t h e Secretariat of State's Section for Relations with States, also known as the economic contraction was Second Section. In the new role, he will become one of the Pope's closest nearly 12 percent. collaborators. Its figures show the EU Fr. Salerno was born in Catanzaro, the capital of Italy's Calabria economy shrank by 18.5 percent region on April 25, 1979. He was ordained Priest in the Metropolitan in the April-to-June period. It had *Atrium of the EU Council building in Brussels. Archdiocese of Catanzaro-Squillace on March 19, 2011. already fallen 5.2 percent in the He acquired a doctorate in both civil and church law at the first three months of the year. Its their coronavirus outbreaks under control have begun to see a Pontifical Lateran University in Rome. Following studies at the overall Gross Domestic Product has also rise in cases that are feeding fears of a second wave. Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, he served as Secretary of the declined by a record 12.1 percent. A spike in infections has led Belgium to ramp up Apostolic Nunciature in Indonesia and of the Permanent Mission of the Across the EU, the economic restrictions on social contact, while Spain has closed gyms and Holy See to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France. contraction was nearly 12 percent, largest nightclubs in Barcelona. Critics argue that the spike is also falls since 1995, according to the Eurostat In his new role, Fr. Salerno will work alongside Fr. Gonzalo linked to more testing. Aemilius, a Uruguayan who formerly worked with street children and agency. Worldwide, more than 600,000 people have reportedly The official agency reveals a grim appointed the Pope's personal secretary in January, replacing the died of coronavirus on a population of 7.8 billion people. Argentine Rev. Mgsr. Fabián Pedacchio, who occupied the post from outlook for several European nations amid Vatican News fears of a second wave of coronavirus 2013 to 2019, when he returned to his position at the Congregation of infections. Bishops. The country with the worst economic performance, Spain, has plunged into its Tchaoudjo, as well as to improve access to deepest recession in modern times. Sokodé Diocese in Togo Benefits from drinking water and health facilities in five France's economy has also been badly prefectures of the Diocese of Sokodé. The hit, with its GDP falling by 13.8 percent in the its Government COVID-19 Assistance beekeeping is targeted at the prefectures of second quarter. The French statistics agency Tchaoudjo and Tchamba, where cashews Parish Priests whose faithful are said the low point had come in April, with a he Catholic Church in Togo, and are grown. beneficiaries of the project. gradual recovery in May and June as in particular the Diocese of "Ours are concrete and effective "The government-run project is lockdown restrictions eased. But economic TSokodé, has recently benefitted gestures to enhance the Earth that is the under the Diocesan Caritas networks and activity was still well below average. f r o m t h e To g o g o v e r n m e n t ' s Mother of all, protect it, make it bear fruit S o k o d é , w i t h t h e O C D I a s t h e Italy, which was among the first programme of support for the with respect, attention, care, vigilance", said implementer, Fr. Silvano Galli, a Priest of European countries to be hit by the pandemic, vulnerable populations (PAPV). Fr. Piontek, linking the project with the the Society for African Missions, explained has reported a similar drop, with the economy Through the “Organisation de la encyclical, Laudato Sì. to the Agenzia Fides. contracting by 12.4 percent. However, the Charité pour un Développement Intégral Agenzia Fides fall was less steep than expected. (OCDI), the Sokodé Diocese on July 24 According to him, "The project has Britain, which left the EU, also received beekeeping kits and motorcycles just started, and will continue with the struggles with the coronavirus pandemic, for young, vulnerable people, as part of a delivery of other materials and with further afraid of a second wave of infections. youth employment promotion policy. support to farmers". "Let us be absolutely clear about what The presentation ceremony was The goal of Caritas Sokodé, Fr. Galli is happening in Europe and among some of presided over by the Bishop of the said, is to use funded projects and our European friends. I am afraid that you are Diocese, Most Rev. Célestin-Marie entrepreneurship to improve the living going to see the signs of a second wave of the Gaoua, who blessed the material, assisted conditions of people and families who have pandemic," Prime Minister Boris Johnson, by the OCDI Secretary General, Fr. Jean returned to the Diocese of Sokodé. who himself survived COVID-19 said. Piontek, in the presence of government It is also to promote agricultural Several European countries that had representatives, traditional leaders and ventures and services in the prefecture of Some of the beneficiaries receiving the items. Sunday, August 9 – Saturday, August 15, 2020 Electronic Edition THE CATHOLIC STANDARD 3 Stop Attacks on Peace Council – Nana Asante

ana Dr. S. K. B. Asante, a B o a r d M e m b e r o f t h e NNational Peace Council (NPC), has expressed worry over the spate of attacks on the Council, saying “the NPC does not have the mandate to denounce the acts of any party to a dispute.” “In my respectful submission, a careful analysis of NPC's functions, as spelt out in sections 2 and 3 of the NPC Act 2011 (Act 818) does not disclose any such mandate,” he stated at the inauguration of a National Monitoring Dr. S.K.B Asante with some members of the Council. Committee for the Implementation of the Code of Conduct and Roadmap on political vigilantism. i n a p p r o p r i a t e a n d , i n d e e d , West Africa Network for Peace- Development and Maulvi Mohammed According to him, the primary and counterproductive, if the NPC issued building, Dr. Imurana Mohammed of Bin Salih, Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana. only function of the Council is to an indictment on sighting any viral the National Commission for Civic video or hearing any allegation of Education, and Sheikh Aramiyaw The “Code of Conduct” was facilitate and develop mechanisms for designed by the NPC, after “tortuous conflict prevention, management and unbecoming conduct. Shaibu of the National Chief Imam’s He noted that “denouncing” was office. and difficult discussions from April resolution and to build sustainable 2019 to June 2020, and which peace in the country. clearly distinguishable from Others are the Rev. Father “facilitating and developing Lazarus Anondee of the Ghana “…resulted in the New Patriotic Party Nana Dr. Asante said “I have been (NPP) and the National Democratic mechanisms for preventing, Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Fred highly disturbed by the recent spate of Congress (NDC) subscribing to a managing or resolving conflicts and Tetteh, of the Electoral Commission, scurrilous media and personal attacks “Roadmap and the Code of Conduct” on the integrity and performance of the building sustainable peace.” Rev. Dr. Cyril Fayose of the Christian on the eradication of political NPC.” He vowed “…that members of Council of Ghana, and Jones Applerh vigilantism." He attributed the “unfair treatment the NPC are honourable men and of the National Commission for Small The committee's inauguration was to a lack of appreciation of the Council's women of impeachable integrity, - Arms and Light Weapons. sponsorshiped by the Northern Sector The rest are Kwesi Jonah of the mandate,” saying “In my respectful persons who are held in high esteem, A c t i o n o n Aw a r e n e s s C e n t r e a n d w h o a r e g e n u i n e l y a n d Institute for Democratic Governance, opinion these misinformed, but highly (NORSAAC) in collaboration with the conscientiously contributing to the Nana Kwabena Aborampah-Mensah damaging criticisms, stem from a STAR Ghana Foundation. failure to appreciate the scope of the peace and development of our of the Ghana Centre for Democratic NPC's mandate”. country”, and “…deserve respect and He went on to explain that the approbation not persistent vile NPC, unlike a court of law, does not attacks.” CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF ACCRA have the power to condemn any party or Code of Conduct, Political even issue an indictment against any Vigilantism Roadmap Committee entity; stating that “such a line of Inaugurated ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCY operation is essentially repugnant to the *Meanwhile, the National especially facilitative and mediatory Peace Council (NPC) on August 3 HEADTEACHER OF A PRIVATE BASIC SCHOOL role of the Council”. inaugurated a 10-member committee Apart from the limitations to implement the Code of Conduct The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra invites applications for the imposed by the NPC Act, the Board and the Roadmap on political position of Headteacher for one of its Private Basic Schools. member said it would be highly vigilantism. They are Vincent Azumah of the The suitable candidate must: ¦ be a practising Catholic ¦ be a professional graduate teacher ¦ possess excellent work history and conduct ‘Coronavirus Pandemic ¦ exhibit a high sense of leadership qualities and organisational skills A Threat To Democracy’ ¦ possess excellent communication and inter-personal Continued from front page skills ¦ be sober with maturity not want,” the Superior General said, adding that he was concerned about how ¦ be computer literate some businesses are using the pandemic as an excuse to dismiss workers, or ¦ not be more than 55 years of age at the time of applying reduce salaries and benefits, including healthcare. “In other words, the pandemic is an occasion to take steps forward or to take Applications with all relevant certificates/documents should steps backward,” he said. “And we must be very aware of this as the Catholic reach: Church and as people committed to justice and peace so that we can build a more welcoming, more democratic society.” The Chairman The Superior General noted that intimate relationship becomes a source of Archdiocesan Education Committee true freedom because it helps a person to be “fully available to do only that which Accra Catholic Archdiocesan Secretariat God desires, without attachments to any person, place or institution.” P.O. Box GP 247, Accra “The heart of the Ignatian experience and, therefore, of Ignatian spirituality, is a personal and profound encounter with Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, which leads to such a familiarity with God, that one can find Him in every thing and Deadline for submission of applications: August 21, 2020 every moment,” Fr. Sosa said. – CNS. NOTA BENE: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. 4 THE CATHOLIC STANDARD Electronic Edition Sunday, August 9 – Saturday, August 15, 2020

STANDARD NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES LIMITED EDITORIAL Publishers of The Catholic Standard NOTICE OF VIRTUAL ANNUAL GENERAL The Military Should Be Notice is hereby given that the 13th ANNUAL GENERAL More Professional MEETING part from for two extra days of a special mopping exercise (August 8-9), will be held on the Electoral Commission will have successfully conducted its National AVoter Registration exercise. Ghana will presumably have a credible DATE: TIME: VENUE: voters, register for the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in December 2020. Thursday, 10:00 am Virtual The Catholic Standard commends the Electoral Commission for a successful August 20, exercise, a few incidents of violence, protestations and counter- from SNAM Office protestations by the major political parties notwithstanding. Despite the 2020 Sowutuom, Accra. fairly peaceful nature of the registration exercise, there were a few incidents of violence at some registration centers. It may be recalled that in our editorial of July 19, we of The Catholic Standard raised pertinent issues AGENDA relative to a Voters’ Register. Ÿ Our focus this week is on counter accusations by the National Democratic To receive, consider and adopt the Accounts for the year ended 3 1 s t Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) regarding Ghana's December, 2019 with the Reports of the Directors and Auditors thereon. Ÿ To announce non-payment of Dividend for the year ended 31st military's involvement in the registration exercise. In particular, we refer to December, 2019. reports of military brutalities in the Volta Region and Banda, in the Bono Ÿ To transact any other business appropriate to be dealt with at an Annual Region. General Meeting Had it been an issue of mere partisan accusation by politicians, this Paper would not have been bothered much. But the accusations have gone beyond Dated this day July 23, 2020. partisan rhetoric to deep and worrying concerns, as expressed by chiefs, opinion leaders and ordinary citizens, in some cases backed by video NOTE footages on social media and some television stations. There has been reported evidence of military involvement in the skirmishes, which led to Members are entitled to vote by Proxy. violence in areas where the nationality of some Ghanaians was questioned A Proxy Form is to be completed and deposited at the Office of the by military officers. Some were allegedly even prevented from registering as Managing Editor of the Standard Newspapers and Magazines (SNAM) Ltd., P. O. voters. Box KA 30682, Airport-Accra, not less than 48 hours before the meeting. It would be most unfortunate and regrettable, if the claims are found to be true The name and password for the virtual meeting will be sent to all that an institution like the military would find itself performing a role shareholders by email. exclusively the preserve of the Electoral Commission. As an institution Rev. Fr. Dieu-Donne Davor entrusted with the sole responsibility of protecting and safeguarding the Secretary nation, our military has no business determining people's nationality, By the order of the Board. especially when they do not have the know-how or any known skills for determining it. Indeed, the mandate of protecting and safeguarding the state is so huge that the military establishment is insulated from partisanship by having soldiers take an oath of allegiance on commission. The allegiance is to only the state and the citizenry, AND NOT political parties or individuals. An oath-taking ceremony is not fluke. To that extent, in the discharge of their solemn duties, as mandated by their oath, soldiers and the military as an institution, cannot be biased in favour of any political party or individual. Ghanaians have the right to expect, and demand an apology, where the military is perceived to have over-stepped its boundaries. As we direct our concerns to the military, we equally call on all Ghanaians to be circumspect in their reaction. There have also been instances where civilians have launched attacks on security personnel in their line of duty, and we unreservedly condemn such acts. We also caution against unguarded accusations, as they have the potential of sparking community violence. Even more ominous, the reported community violence being experienced may erode confidence in any future electoral arrangement, and possibly cast a dark shadow on the December elections, if needless vent is given to careless utterances. Are we as a people ready to trade the peace, we have enjoyed and taken for granted, for the Rwanda experience? This is the time Religious Bodies, Civil Society Organisations and all well-placed Ghanaians, who mean well, should stand up and speak openly against these acts of violence and voter suppression, be they allegation or perception. Religious leaders, in particular, have a duty to be prophetic, namely to probate and re-probate on behalf of God. Our forefathers – the Big Six and others, and indeed our first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, did not bequeath to us a divided country. We, therefore, have no option but to commit ourselves to the integrity and peace of our dear nation Ghana. Let all be reminded and guided by Paul's letter to the Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Sunday, August 9 – Saturday, August 15, 2020 Electronic Edition THE CATHOLIC STANDARD 5 The Pilgrims THE CHURCH IN POLITICS, IS NOT WRONG. *Dr. OpokuN Prempehotes IT IS IMPERATIVE AND OVERDUE? By Kasise Ricky Peprah leave the matters of politics to those We must speak the truth to ourselves operatives who were acutely disrespectful before we can even begin to talk it to the Dear St. Jude, of justice, fairness and equity. They thus other realms. decided to engage in politics with the aim St. Jude, our country Ghana is oday I will go back in of infusing it with those non-negotiable steadily descending into a crisis which has history, the history of this tenets that are so frequently disregarded. the potential for bloodletting. Against this Tparticular medium, The Indeed, that brand of clerical activism does backdrop we have a citizenry that is very Catholic Standard. not enjoy much acclaim due in part to the religious and are in the habit of relying on Founded some eighty years ago, it fact that it did not register a huge success their religious leaders for guidance. This has distinguished itself as a publication but that does little to obliterate its solid means that the leaders have an authority that has stood for what is right. With the foundations. that can be used for good. It is that relation blessing and direction of the Church St. Jude, no aspect of the human that I am praying will be utilised to avert leadership. existence is immune from the actions and what appears to be a certain showdown. It mis-actions in the political realm but is imperative that the voice of the Church is Many celebrated contributors to the The Columnist national discourse, over our country's consistently we see only perfunctory loud and clear. We cannot sit easy and hope lifetime, cut their teeth here and continued engagements by our leadership and fold. It This development is due largely to the that folks will exercise the necessary to prosecute their campaign using The has become the fashion to indulge in side- lack of a concerted front. We appear to restraint. We also cannot hope to pray Catholic Standard. Little doubt therefore line criticism alongside demonstrating a have allowed parochial interests to break away the prospect of violence that is so that the publication has caught the fierce refusal to take active part in those o u r r a n k s . We al s o s ee m t o b e imminent. Thankfully, our leadership as a attention of many 'high-ups' whose many issues that have a direct bearing on experiencing a type of disintegration of whole does not stand compromised and so behaviour was aberrant and who were our living condition. Whether we take the our front, with various groups pursuing it is still within possibility that they give us subject of justified criticism. As a issue of Climate Change and its serious separate agenda. The Church must be bold guidance while making their position clear consequence it was, at some point, banned implications for the human species and and call those groups to Order. Those sole to the whole country. but later grudgingly allowed to resume how very dismissively it is treated by many misadventures are not limited to only St. Jude, the challenge that we face as activity. It is a sad affair that today, The world leaders, who have the duty and the groups, individuals are also wont to veer a country is daunting. Basic existence has Standard does not appear to wield the capacity to take far-reaching measures to off in self-righteousness, presenting become so tied to politics that one cannot clout that it ought to, even among counteract the sure Armageddon that themselves, if even inadvertently, as be blamed for compromising the general Ghanaian Roman Catholics. Climate change forebodes or whether we authorised mouthpieces of the Church. good for subjective interests but therein St. Jude, the mantle has befallen us, concern ourselves with the proliferation of This further allows our body to be lies the call to action by every Christian. As to continue stridently, to call out small arms which pose a real danger to infiltrated for purposes that are inimical to R o m a n C a t h o l i c s , w e h a v e t h e behaviours that are not in consonance peace and life, we are able to see the critical our benefit. If we do not put our house in responsibility of leading the charge for with our national interest. The argument need for the Church and its huge following order we cannot dare to wield a justifiable peace. We cannot relent. We must talk to that Religion and Politics are not to take an undisguised interest in matters of axe to the edifice of corruption that the power. We must risk their wrath, whatever bedfellows, was long debunked. They are politics. secular realm has become. We must first it may be, for their wrath cannot be worse bedfellows albeit uneasy. The very fact St. Jude, the Roman Catholic Church remove the log that is lodged in our eye than leading this beautiful country into that both pursuits have greatly to do with is without contest the most formidable before we can perceive and dare to violent conflict. I wish I could rest easy and the human condition means that both religious organization the world over. This remove the speck that is in our call my fears mere fears but that will be cannot exist and operate separately. The means that much is expected of us. Here in neighbour's eye. The tools for this self- wishful thinking. Please intercede for us era of Liberation Theology, though Ghana, the case is no different, the Catholic examination and correction are within our all, our leaders especially, so we can all rise uncomfortable, must be recalled. That era Church has enjoyed a certain premium that reach. They are in fact, with us, the truth. to the task, for if we do not, the when clerics deemed it counter-purpose to unfortunately has been waning over time. repercussions will be dire.

p r o f e s s i o n a l v a l u e s , Teaching Hospital and Counselling Requires Certification, including understanding, Executive Director of “Total e m o t i o n a l s t a b i l i t y , Life Enhancement Centre” Values…UHAS Psychologist creativity, patience, empathy, (TOLEC), who moderated o p e n - m i n d e d n e s s , the workshop, disclosed that m m a n u e l consisting of medical doctors, confidentiality and respect his organisation which D z i w o r n u , a psychologists, physician for clients. Epsychologist at the assistants and nurses from He observed that trained operates in the Northern, University of Health and health institutions in Ghana. c o u n s e l l o r s , u s i n g Savannah, North-East, Allied Sciences (UHAS), He acknowledged that psychodynamic, cognitive Upper East and Upper West Ho, has said a counsellor in some other people, by the behavioural, client-centred or regions, intends to establish nature of their work, could find Ghana must be certified by the eclectic approaches, are to a rehabilitation centre to the Ghana Psychology t h e m s e l v e s o f f e r i n g g u i d e c l i e n t s t o m a k e counselling services, such as offer psychological care to Council, in addition to informed decisions, and not i n c l i n i c a l , s c h o o l , clients in the northern sector professional training. to take decisions for them. He insisted that the occupational, industrial, of Ghana. community and clerical Answering a question on counselling profession The workshop was *Mr. Emmanuel Dziwornu settings; these professionals, the ideal counsellor's fee, Mr. requires training, values and organised by the TOLEC, a nevertheless, would require Dziwornu said it would regulation, just as in the d e p e n d o n d i f f e r e n t Ta m a l e - b a s e d s e r v i c e Person at a virtual workshop specific skills to engage with provider, which offers m e d i c a l a n d o t h e r clients. c i r c u m s t a n c e s , n o t i n g organised for healthcare continuous professional professions, before anyone The UHAS psychologist however that private sector workers in basic counselling development education to can hold themselves out as said while good interviewing charges tend to be higher than one. skills on August 1. In the public sector. healthcare workers. attendance were about 30 s k i l l s a r e a n e c e s s i t y, Mr. Dziwornu, was counsellors must also be Peter Amadu Mintir, a From Francis E. h e a l t h c a r e w o r k e r s , speaking as a resource committed to personal and psychologist at the Tamale Monnie, CAMP-G 6 THE CATHOLIC STANDARD Electronic Edition Sunday, August 9 – Saturday, August 15, 2020 only as an organisational fact, Archbishop Paglia on COVID-19 Pandemic and which can be overcome by improving efficiency. It is a Opportunity for Human Conversion matter of understanding more deeply that uncertainty and fragility are constitutive (The Vatican Pontifical and those dedicated to dimensions of the human A c a d e m y f o r L i f e h a s treatment. This means condition. This limitation released a document entitled f o c u s i n g n o t o n l y o n must be respected and kept in “Humana communitas in the hospitals, but also on local mind in every development age of pandemic: Untimely networks, both for assistance project, taking care of the meditations on life's rebirth.” and for health education. vulnerability of others, Its President, Archbishop Furthermore, we understood because we are all entrusted to Vincenzo Paglia, explains that the health of everyone is each other. several key points of the closely related to the health of It is a conversion that document in the following all. Responsible behavior is asks to include and elaborate written interview). needed not only to protect existentially and socially the Q: Let's explain the Archbishop Paglia one's own well-being, but experience of loss. Only title: Humana communitas in also that of others. starting from this awareness the era of the pandemic. Q: What can be done to take the opportunity and find constant challenge for health will it be possible to involve What does it mean? prevent the commercial our conscience in a change Humana communitas is the courage to discuss better systems. By preparedness we exploitation of vaccines or conditions to transform the mean getting ready to predict the that makes us responsibly the title of the letter that Pope to avoid disparities in s u p p o r t i v e i n a g l o b a l Francis sent to the Academy on market and education, instead. problematic event and planning health treatments among Does this sound like an the possible response. This fraternity. January 6, 2019, on the 25th those living in richer and Q: Interdependence, exaggerated claim? Now, this allows you to better deploy skills anniversary of its foundation. poorer countries? vulnerability, cooperation, is exactly what we mean by and resources, in a never-ending The Pope asks us to reflect on R e s e a r c h m u s t b e s o l i d a r i t y, a c c e s s t o "out of date". process of critical evaluation and the relationships that unite the regulated so that it does not treatment are the key words Q: The pandemic has progressive response capacity. human community and create respond only to political and of this crisis. In other words: shown the fragility of people Our capacity for intervention in shared values, objectives, economic interests (of a few), will we truly understand the and societies. It is a global the technical and management reciprocity. but it can be carried out with value of life and the need to crisis that affects the North area deluded us that we could This pandemic makes us freedom and responsibility. p r o t e c t i t , w i t h o u t extraordinarily aware of two and the South of the world keep everything under control. For this reason, funding must and scientists still have no I n s t e a d , e v e n i n ideological disputes? things. On one hand, it shows be transparent and shared, so This is a question that sure answers. Is this really a economically affluent societies, us how interdependent we all that the benefits can also be everyone must ask themselves novelty? the pandemic has overwhelmed are: what happens somewhere equally distributed. and their community. There is The novelty is not so the efficiency of healthcare on earth now involves the Q: What about the no automatism that guarantees much in the emergence of an facilities and laboratories. It was whole world. On the other world scenario? What role the transition from the factual unknown virus. In fact, it could difficult to become aware of the h a n d , i t a g g r a v a t e s c a n b e p l a y e d b y interconnection (which we have been contained and failure of our efficiency and inequalities: we are all in the international organisations h a v e e x p e r i e n c e d ) t o defeated locally, significantly recognize our limits. same storm, but not on the in a post-COVID-19 world? responsible solidarity (which limiting the damage. The Q: What relationship is same boat. Those with more T h e p a n d e m i c h a s implies an act of freedom). If unprecedented fact is the speed there between Covid-19 and fragile boats sink more easily. shown that no country can there is no awakening of and breadth with which it the exploitation of the planet's The ethics of life goes proceed independently of consciousness, we will just fix spread through the network of resources? global: will we try to save others, not only for health a f e w o r g a n i s a t i o n a l relations and transportation. They are apparently two ourselves by moving further r e a s o n s , b u t a l s o f o r problems, but everything will New also is the role of the unrelated themes. It is one of the and further away from each economic reasons. Therefore, be like it used to be. media, which decided how the aspects of interdependence: other, or will the common an organisation supported by Instead, we need to awareness of the crisis had to phenomena pursued with vulnerability make us more everyone, coordinating r e t h i n k o u r m o d e l s o f human? We must answer this spread: it has rightly been specific and particular intents in operations in the various the agricultural, industrial, development and coexistence, question and we must do it spoken of as an "infodemic". p h a s e s o f m o n i t o r i n g , so that they are increasingly The novelty therefore lies tourism and logistics fields add now: is the human being still a containment and treatment of w o r t h y o f t h e h u m a n in the strange mixture of one to another and the effects of common responsibility? diseases, allowing a careful community. And therefore, conformism and confusion e a c h o n e a r e a m p l i f i e d . Q: The subtitle says: circulation of information, is they must be appropriate for induced by the reactions to the Deforestation brings wild outdated reflections on the essential. the vulnerable people, not representation of danger in the animals into contact with human rebirth of life. What does it T h e W H O s e e m s beyond their limits, as if they era of "hyper-connected" habitats where intensive farming mean? indispensable, even if it did not exist: within those societies: which are, however, subjects livestock to the logic of "Outdated" is a word that certainly had some flaws: we limits, in fact, there are men, also "hyper-individualistic". industrial production. This is comes from the philosophical must learn from its failures women and children who T h e w e a k n e s s o f t h e done to meet the demand for tradition. Here we use it, with a and improve its functioning. deserve better care. All of little provocation, to indicate community, which should meat for export, so that dishes for Only in this way can we put unbalanced and unsustainable them, not just ours. the urgency of finding a guarantee our support and into effect the universal right If we open the doors to conception of community protection in danger, leaves us diets can reach our dining tables. to the highest levels of health All this facilitates the spill- truly global threats to the which, apparently, is no longer exposed to our uncertainties care, as an expression of human community, not even fashionable. and vulnerabilities. over of pathogenic micro- protection of the inalienable organisms from one species to our own will be able to save At a time when life seems Q: Political propaganda dignity of the human person. themselves. So, here is the suspended and we are struck blames specific contexts and another, until they affect human Q: What is the role of beings. thing: from the "dry run" of by the death of loved ones and countries. But the reality is the Christian community in this pandemic, we expect a the loss of reference points for that we were unprepared. Q: What have we learned this crisis? about public health? burst of pride from the our society, we cannot limit Why? T h e C h r i s t i a n Humana communitas. It can ourselves to discussing the Of course, preparing for First of all, it is necessary to community can help first of better balance the resources make it, if it wants to. price of masks or the reopening exceptional events is a all to interpret the crisis not Vatican News date of schools. We will have to invested in disease prevention Sunday, August 9 – Saturday, August 15, 2020 Electronic Edition THE CATHOLIC STANDARD 7 Full Sermon by Most Rev. Jan Romeo Pawlowski, Titular Archbishop of Sejny and Delegate for Pontifical Representations on the Occasion of the Consecration of Archbishop Henryk Jagodzinski, the New Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana at Kielce, Poland, July 18 A.D. 2020

(The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, confess that you have nothing, that you are clearly said: go and preach the Good News by because the Lord has anointed me. He sent me to dust and nothing, that you are dying to the baptizing. And this is the constant novelty we preach the good news to the poor, to bind up the world and that you have considered have to offer, not ours, because we are too wounds of broken hearts (Isaiah 61: 1). everything rubbish, but you want Christ to fill weak, but the Christ's novelty of the Gospel”. These prophetic words of Isaiah, in which your life with His grace, that you go and bear This is the dogmatic and pastoral lecture we hear the announcement of the presence of the fruit. From now on you will not be able to live given by this Polish diplomat. So let us Messiah, resound in a special way today, in this for yourself, you will die to yourself, because remember that we are not to defend ourselves beautiful cathedral in Kielce, where the Spirit of you are sent to the service of the whole all the time, but to move forward and preach. the Lord God, the Holy Spirit, whom we have Church of Christ. As a Bishop you will They constantly wanted to destroy Christ and just invoked, is to anoint priest Henry as Bishop become the successor of the Apostles, you in the end they managed to do it humanly, but and send him to proclaim Good news to the will become an Apostle, included in their He went to the world and to man and preach poor, that he may bind up the wounds of broken Group. This is a huge responsibility, so great the Good News. Do not expect, Bishop Henry hearts. That by the power of God himself, he that I, personally, am always afraid if I am that it will be much easier for you, because may be father, brother, teacher, servant, growing up to the heels of any Apostle. You, since you are an Apostle of Christ, then an shepherd and protector. too, are to be afraid, to be in holy fear, easy life awaits you. All these wishes, cards, I would like to say this: Dear Henryk, you whether you can make it or not. Well, just flowers, gifts, smiles are what you will do not deserve this dignity, you do not deserve think about the grace and responsibility that experience from the human kindness of this election… because none of us is due to any such a boy from Małogoszcz is admitted to people close to you today and in the coming merit! Hence today, beloved, we all must the Upper Room and sits in the Apostolic Archbishop Henryk Mieczyslaw days, it will all pass quickly and there will be examine our conscience: we, bishops, priests Group, receiving as a gift, responsibility for Jagodziński a Christ Cross, which must be taken up on and religious sisters, and clerics, and lay the Bride of Christ, for His one, Holy, your shoulders and always carried with brothers and sisters. We have to do an Catholic and Apostolic Church. It's all Catholics, or about 13% of the population of Christ. examination of conscience because we often humanly that just come out of my mind! over 30 million, has twenty dioceses, so you Henryk! Until now, I was your senior demand from the Church, demand something, We know that a Bishop in the Church is will not be bored there or complain about the colleague in priesthood and diplomacy, we count on something, and yet, in the Church elected and appointed by the Successor of the lack of classes. And believe me, as an older Superior in the Secretariat of State, and from nobody owes anything. Saint Paul said so Apostle Peter. We have just heard the words colleague who spent almost ten years in today I become your Father, because through emphatically about it in the second reading: I of the papal bull. In your case, it is Pope Africa, and Bishop John, a missionary, he will prayer and the laying on of my hands, on considered everything a waste, I gave it up and I Francis who instructed me to convey to you confirm that these young churches have so behalf of the Church, I will appoint You the consider it rubbish! (Phil 3: 8). and to all those present here my fatherly much enthusiasm, so much of this simple but Successor of the Apostles, in the unity and In the Church of Christ everything is a greeting and my apostolic blessing. Beloved, solid faith, as many values as we have here on apostolic succession of the brothers present gift, everything is grace! From grace and how beautiful it is that we have a Successor of the Old Continent, and even in Poland, they here in my bishopric, to whom I greet once baptism through all the sacraments, everything Saint Peter in the Catholic Church! That have been forgotten that all these will make more. And as Saint Paul wrote in his letter to is God's gift and God's grace. And if man keystone of Heaven who is the Rock. In your service there joyful, rich in experiences, his ordained Timothy, I also address you collaborates with grace, he can do extraordinary today's world, fast-paced, often crazy, in a and that when after a few years you depart for today as my firstborn son: things. He can build heaven on earth, create the world of uncertainty, worthlessness, and a different post in the world, you will feel I remind you to rekindle the charism of kingdom of heaven towards which we are all recently scared by the coronavirus, Pope sorry and sad to leave, because you will leave God that is in you by the laying on of my heading, but which is already in our midst. Francis, as the next Successor of the Apostle there a piece of the apostolic heart. hands. For God did not give us a spirit of fear, However, in order to cooperate with God's Peter, is our Bishop and faithful to you, the Be therefore, Bishop Henryk, Father, but a spirit of power and love and a sound grace, the first condition is to acknowledge our whole Church, our Guide, Father and Brother, Shepherd, Doctor, Friend, be on time mind. Therefore, do not be ashamed of the personal littleness, nothingness: a cry after the Shepherd. We are all called to live and act and out of time (2 Tim 4: 2). Teach, when testimony of our Lord and of me, His poet - Lord, who am I before your face? - Dust cum Petro et sub Petro, that is, together with necessary, be an Apostle of Divine Mercy, prisoner, but take part in the hardships and and nothing (A. Mickiewicz, Dziady). Cry out Peter and under the authority of Peter. following the example of Saint John Paul II, adversities endured for the Gospel according with Mary that the Lord has looked upon the The same Peter of our time wrote you whom you had the honor and happiness of to the power of God! (2 Tm 1: 6-8). humility of his handmaid (Lk 1:48). To exclaim so beautifully in the nomination bull that we serving in the Secretariat of State of the Holy May the Blessed Mother, Queen of the with the Psalmist: what is a man that you have just read: See, growing in the shadow of his holiness. Apostles, the Queen of Poland from Jasna remember about him? (Ps 8: 5). Beloved Son, while you are assuming In today's Gospel, we have heard about Góra and the Lady of Graces of Kielce, lead You, Father Henryk, were lucky, you were such an important office, I encourage you to how Jesus himself was persecuted, slandered you along all paths of life, let her be truly lucky that the truth about cooperation with try, wherever the Lord will send you, with the and finally killed for his faithful service to the gracious to You, as well as to all those you God's grace was communicated to you from constant intercession of the Mother of God, sick, poor and needy. But this did not stop meet on the apostolic paths. childhood. Because your parents created a the Virgin Mary, Queen of Poland, with even Him, and He, anointed as the Messiah by the I was wondering what good wishes to family nest where you could come into the greater diligence to fulfill God's will in power of God's Spirit, did not argue or shout, say to you at the end of this reflection. And world, just like your siblings, Anna and everything and to show it clearly to others by did not break a broken reed, did not extinguish then Saint Paul, the Apostle, came to my aid Jarosław, as wanted and loved children. In this teaching and the example of the service that a smoldering wick. And the nations were when he addresses the Philippians in today's nest, where Polish national traditions were people would follow Christ the Good hoping in his name. reading. So I wish you never to rest on your shaped, the white and red flag and the best Shepherd who came "that they may have life This is Bishop Henryk and your laurels, that you would be restless with the understood patriotism were not being ashamed and have it abundantly" (Jn 10:10). mission. The Church of Christ gives you the apostolic, like Paul, with the desire to of, in this nest the rhythm of everyday life was Most of the Bishops are sent to the power of God's Spirit today, not to make you proclaim the Gospel: I do not think of myself measured by the Christian faith and the church pastoral service in dioceses within those argue, scream, want to be on the front pages, that I have already won, but I am doing this: bell. Together with you, therefore, each of us structures of the Church called the particular but to heal, listen, nurture even the smallest forgetting what is behind me and exerting here will not stop thanking God for the treasure Church. As in the particular church in Kielce, spark of faith and hope, so that you lead myself I am rushing towards what is ahead of of our families who are strong with God who the Bishop is Bishop Jan, whom we greet people, especially there in Ghana, and me, towards the appointed finish, towards the provided us with a material well-being, and with all our hearts, thanking him for the open wherever you will be sent one day as the reward that God calls upwards in Christ Jesus above all, shared with us great gift, the treasure doors of the cathedral, the bishop's house and Successor of the Apostles to the ends of the (Phil 3: 13-14). of the Christian faith in the Catholic Church. for his open heart. You, Henry, are not sent to world, as you wrote in your episcopal call, I also wish you, we all wish you, as we Today we kiss the hands of your Father Józef for any diocese, although as titular archbishop that you would lead them to Christ, to His love are here, that someday, when the light of your this, and we send our mother Janina to Heaven: you are given the title of the historic Diocese and hope, that you would embrace them to the eyes is going out and the moment of meeting Thank you, mother! of Limosano, in the south of Italy. But you are heart of Christ and to your pastoral heart. Christ and all the saints approaches, as This family nest has become your first sent to be a Representative of the Holy Father Do not be afraid, be a courageous happened yesterday for Cardinal Zenon seminar where you heard Jesus calling you by and the Holy See, with the rank of Apostolic shepherd with the strength and courage of Grocholewski, whose funeral Mass is now name, saying: Henry, follow me. And you Nuncio, to the beautiful African country of God Himself. A few days ago, a wise Polish celebrated in the Basilica of St. Peter, and responded with trust and a willing heart, Ghana. diplomat, a secular man, father, spouse told whom we recommend to the Mercy of God, becoming a priest of this Diocese of Kielce with The Church there has been waiting for a me these words: "Probably too often, also in you can repeat the same words of St. Paul traditions. year for a new Representative of the Holy Poland, we as the Church, so the faithful and with a sincere heart: Amen. Today the Lord stands on the edge of your Father. It is generally quite young, since it has the Pastors, are in a defensive position: we Managing Editor’s Note: This life again and calls, calls. As with the ordination a little more than a hundred years of modern explain ourselves, we apologize, we put aside homily was received from the Chargé of the diaconate and presbyterate, today you will history, although various missionaries so as not to offend, we want to somehow get d’ Affaires of the Apostolic prostrate yourself for the third time, with a cross arrived there much earlier. Today, it has over along with everyone, and the Lord Jesus Nunciature in Ghana, Msgr. Pavol on the floor of this Cathedral. You will fall to three million seven hundred thousand Talapka. 8 THE CATHOLIC STANDARD Electronic Edition Sunday, August 9 – Saturday, August 15, 2020 Infectious Disease Centre most of the inputs for the building and most of all the No Herbal Drug Has Been – Sophia Akuffo skills are Ghanaian. It is h o m e - g r o w n , ” s h e Applauds Ingenuity, marvelled. Approved for Coronavirus: Home-grown Talents Justice Akuffo urged Ghanaians to keep on Centre for Plant Medicine contributing both in cash and he Chairperson of Ghana's in kind to the national battle against he Centre for Plant COVID-19 National Trust COVID-19 “so that we can continue Medicine Research TFund, Justice Sophia to support the construction of such (CPMR) says it has Akuffo, has commended the home- T facilities; so that we can continue the received tonnes of alleged grown talent that went into the medical fight against the pandemic.” medications, but none had construction of the country's first “We should have more of these,” passed the potency test for the infectious disease centre. Justice Akuffo said. “We have the treatment of coronavirus “Looking at the facility, the way professionals who are more than patients. it has been laid out for total safety of capable of doing this sort of work, “When the products are the medical staff, total safety of the initiating and innovating this new brought, we do some basic patients, total safety of the public, it system. In a way, COVID-19 has analysis. The first is the safety looks very comfortable. It looks very taught a lot and a lot of positives will profile. We want to know if it will Dr. Ampomah Appiah clean,” the former Chief Justice said, come out of it,” she noted. be safe for a patient to use. We also after touring the facility constructed The Centre commissioned last look at the hygienic profile – whether the product was produced under under the auspices of the Ghana week was expected to receive its first conditions that could make it contaminated. We also look at the COVID-19 Private Sector Fund. batch of patients. Its speedy construction constituents; plants have chemical constituents. When you have done these “It is a very well thought out, a has spurred a rethink of national and they pass, then we conduct a viral test”, the Deputy Director for the very humane installation that has development efforts and emphasis on the use of indigenous expertise and local Centre for Plant Medicine Research, Dr. Alfred Ampomah Appiah, told the been built and the beauty of it is that inputs. Business &Financial Times. According to him, about 200 submitted products have failed the test, and the Centre has put in measures to test as many products as are submitted. He revealed that the Centre is working to standardise the usage of plants with anti-viral properties, to check their abuse on the market. Dr. Ampomah Appiah added “We are working hard to develop products that can support the new system; to develop a product that can act as antioxidant to manage the disease condition. Treatment will take some time because we will have to do a series of tests and ensure that whatever you have is active against the virus.” “These things will have to be standardised. You hear that people have gone for these herbs and are boiling and drinking them; they are medicines and if you take beyond a certain quantity they can harm you. Therefore, we will have to formulate standard dosage forms to avoid harm to consumers or patients. That is our responsibility, but we need this to be done with research before we can move it into the industry for large-scale Justice Sophia Akuffo (3rd left) with some officials production,” he noted. touring the facility COVID-19 Has Closed Nearly 85,000 Businesses

the highest dip of 57 percent. have reduced the wages for 25.7 percent – Statistical Service The survey further showed that less of its workforce, while only 4.0 percent early 85,000 Ghanaian than 10 percent of businesses adopted or of firms indicated that they had laid off businesses are still closed intensified the use of the internet for workers estimated at 41,952 workers. Ndown, as a result of the operations. However, 37.5 percent of According to the study, only 3.5 COVID-19 pandemic, according firms started or increased their use of percent of firms received government to the Ghana Statistical Service. mobile money. assistance, with “not being aware” of Professor Samuel Annim, the “An average close to 131,000 government programmes the most Government Statistician, disclosed businesses indicated that they had common responses. this in Accra when he presented the c h a l l e n g e s findings of a survey – the “COVID- a c c e s s i n g 19 Rapid Surveys Business finances and Advertisement in Tracker”. more than 60 He said more than 45,000 percent of firms The Catholic Standard workers lost their jobs, while above c a l l e d f o r 770,000 had their wages reduced Prof. Samuel Anim s u b s i d i s e d Take advantage of our reasonable during the partial lockdown. interest rates,” The May 26-June 17 survey partners. he said. advert rates to publicise your was conducted in collaboration with The survey results show that A b o u t products and funerals the United Nations Development more than two-thirds of the temporary 46.1 percent of Programme (UNDP) and the World or permanently closed businesses b u s i n e s s Call: 030-242-4725 Bank to provide hard data to the were micro-sized enterprises, and that establishments [email protected] / Government and development accommodation and food recorded r e p o r t e d t o Email: [email protected] Sunday, August 9 – Saturday, August 15, 2020 Electronic Edition THE CATHOLIC STANDARD 9 ICASOR Supports Matthew 25 House

d e l e g a t i o n o f t h e International Centre for AA d v o c a c y a n d S o c i a l Research (ICASOR), a Non- Governmental Organisation on the Eid al adha holiday visited and donated toiletries and food items to the Matthew 25 House in Koforidua. Presenting the items, Prof. Robert Yennah, Chairman of the AIDEC Group through whose sponsorship the donation was possible, said the gesture was part of the Company's charity works to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on the vulnerable and often neglected. A member of the delegation, George Demong Yeng, a medical practitioner and a Director of ICASOR, advised the beneficiaries to take their medication and food rations seriously to stay healthy. He advised t h e g e n e r a l p u b l i c a g a i n s t stigmatization of HIV/AIDs patients. to people living Mr. Benedictus Nobiya, a member with HIV/AIDs of the Board of ICASOR and also of w h o a r e o f t e n Cardinal Dery Foundation presented times forgotten prayer booklets for the beatification of and neglected. the Servant of God, Peter Cardinal Msgr. Bobby Porekuu Dery who throughout his life Benson later took Msgr. Bobby Benson with the delegation and the items. identified with the poor, the afflicted the delegation on a and neglected. Rev. Monsignor Alex Bobby tour of a Hospice, the first of its kind in c o u n s e l l i n g c e n t r e w h e n Msgr. Bobby Benson said the Benson, Director of the House and the Ghana and West Africa to acquaint completed, will bring comfort and project is worth supporting by all beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the themselves with the facility and solace to the sick and socially public spirited individuals or donors. appealed for support to complete it in neglected. It will provide for and groups, philanthropists and The Matthew 25 House provides time for use. take care of the physical, spiritual corporate bodies when preparing counselling and other support services The Hospice which is equipped and psychological needs of the their budgets for Corporate Social with chalets, a clinic, a chapel and a terminally ill (home bound). Responsibilities. Prof. Delle celebrates 50 years of Medical Practice

both past and present staff r o f . E d m u n d years of medical practice. 50 years in medical practice. “50 years ago, I swore for their dedication towards Nminyem Delle, the His office staff surprised May this milestone bring my Hippocratic Oath that I service to humanity, noting PFounder and Board him early Monday morning incessant joy to your soul, am going to serve my people that “I want to thank you for Chairman of Rabito Clinic with a celebration, a jubilee spirit, and body”. and patients with all my love, remembering me this day on July 27, 2020 marked 50 cake and citations, some of In response, Prof. Delle with all my strength, and with and celebrating me”. which read: expressed appreciation to all my knowledge,” he “ Yo u h a v e recalled. s u c h a n In attendance was Alhaji o u t s t a n d i n g , Dr. Samuel Uthman Konney, wonderful, and the president of the “Ghana lovely combination Society of Dermatology” of professionalism (GSD), who congratulated and tenderness. Prof. Delle on the high level Your expertise is of commitment exhibited over exceptional and the the years as a medical passion with which practitioner, and especially you care for your as a pioneer dermatologist, p a t i e n t s i s a s w e l l a s t h e G S D ' s magnificent. formation and operation. On this day, as From Maud Prof. Delle (left) being presented we celebrate your Prof. Delle (seated middle) with the dignitaries and staff of Rabito Clinic. G.N.K. Quaye with a plaque. 10 THE CATHOLIC STANDARD Electronic Edition Sunday, August 9 – Saturday, August 15, 2020

In Loving Memory of

Dada Honest, jovial, witty and simple were your th outstanding attributes On the 20 of April in the year nineteen thirty-seven Meekness was a strong trait you had, informed by God chose to send you down to earth from Heaven the beatitudes Son of your beloved parents, John and Hannah Unassuming and quietly making strides, not We were privileged to get to know you as our Dada intending to be seen Through the Catholic Boys school at Elmina Always brightening the corner wherever you had You gained education and religion as your starter been You were intelligent though with much you contended To later become a lecturer when you had eventually It has been ten years since you passed graduated to be with your Maker We still remember you and wish Searching for your Celeste you found Louisa you had stayed longer A strong, supportive and prayerful partner But the rich deposits you made With whom six children were born in your wedlock in our lives will continue to endure A family of which you made Christ the Bedrock And we will continue to do our best to make you pleased for sure As we grew you were deeply involved in our nurturing You played and chided and ensured we were maturing We believe you continue to pray for us Though you worked hard to provide, we weren't as you did on earth pampered Because in your absence many blessings You were very present in each aspect of our lives that have been given birth mattered We have modelled our parenting and career after you At home you used to tell stories that made us laugh And tell your grandchildren what Revealing that sense of humour of which we never had a wonderful grandfather they had too Raphael enough You remained honest and proved to us you would not We definitely do not judge you by the cut corners heights you could not reach BANNERMAN MONTFORD We therefore lived simply but richly with the right But by the depths you scaled and still April 20,1937– June 29, 2010 manners managed to create your niche Sunday, August 9 – Saturday, August 15, 2020 Electronic Edition THE CATHOLIC STANDARD 11 GJA Opens Nomination For 25th Media Awards

he Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has opened nominations for CATEGORY FIVE the 25th GJA Media Awards from Wednesday, July 29, 2020 to Friday, · Democracy And Peace Building (Print, Radio, Television & Online) September 9, 2020. T th The opening of the 25 GJA Media Awards was officially announced by the CATEGORY SIX: President of the GJA, Affail Monney, at a launching ceremony at the Movenpick · Best Radio / T V Programme (Akan) Ambassador Hotel on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. · Best Radio / T V Programme (Dagbani) The awards are open to GJA members working in the Ghanaian media · Best Radio / T V Programme (Ewe) establishments, and cover broadcast or published works from January 1, 2019 to · Best Radio / T V Programme (Ga) December 31, 2019. · Best Radio / T V Programme (Hausa) The GJA Awards are normally opened for entries of works broadcast or · Best Radio / T V Programme (Nzema) published in the year preceding the year in which the awards are held. However, due to the overwhelming circumstance of the COVID-19 CATEGORY SEVEN: EXCEPTIONAL COVID-19 pandemic, the GJA is making an exception to the rule above, this year, to open COVERAGE nominations for awards in ‘Exceptional COVID-19 Coverage’ to cover · Best Media House (Print, Radio, Television and Online) broadcast or published works from March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020. · Best Reporter (Print, Radio, Television and Online) The essence of this special award category as an exception to the rule is to recognize and appreciate the efforts of journalists and media institutions who are CATEGORY EIGHT: making tremendous sacrifices, sometimes at the peril of their lives, to cover the · Best Female Journalist of the Year pandemic, and to motivate them to be more committed to the fight against same in · Komla Dumor Most Promising Young Journalist what seems to be daunting periods ahead in the nation’s quest to defeat coronavirus. · Professor P.A.V. Ansah Journalist of the Year The following are details of the award categories and the rules governing the filing of entries: ENTRY REQUIREMENTS The competition is open to members working in the print (News CATEGORY ONE Agency inclusive), electronic and on-line media in Ghana. (Separate Awards for Radio, Television, Print & Online) Members of the National Executive and the Awards Committee are not · News Reporting eligible to contest. Entrants must meet the following additional · Features requirements: 1. Entries should cover works published from January 1, 2019 to CATEGORY TWO December 31, 2019; (Awards Cater for Print & Electronic) 2. Entrants may submit NOT MORE THAN TWO published works · Investigative Reporting in each category; · Photojournalism 3. However, one work SHALL NOT be entered in MORE THAN · Arts/Entertainment ONE CATEGORY; · Domestic Tourism 4. Entrants should submit CLEAR ORIGINAL published work and · Business/Finance & Economic Reporting FIVE (5) photocopies of each entry; · Small and Micro Scale Enterprises (SMEs) 5. All entries must show the date of publication/broadcast and the · Environment medium in which the work was published. News Agency stories carried by · Health the conventional media or on the Internet shall be considered as published; · Sports · Education 6. Radio and TV entrants should submit ONE AUDIO RECORDING · Small-Scale Illegal Mining (Galamsey) (CD/DVD) in addition to FIVE (5) AUTHENTICATED COPIES of the · Maritime original broadcast script; · Nestle Special Award For Nutrition · Development Journalism for Furthering the SDGs 7. Photographic and cartoon entries are subjected to the same · Child Protection & Participation requirements as print entries; · Crime & Court Reporting 8. Every entry should clearly indicate the category of competition and · Human Rights must bear the name, address, and telephone number of the entrant; · Political Reporting 9. Entries may be uploaded online at www.gjaawards.com, and · Sanitation & Hygiene entrants who wish to use the online platform for submission, may upload · Disability ONLY ONE ORIGINAL COPY of their work in each category entered. · ICT & Digital Journalism (including Blogging) The GJA encourages entrants to use the online submission platform as first · Anti-Corruption and preferred option in order to minimise human contact and the risk · Science COVID-19 infection. · Oil & Gas 10. Journalist of the Year – GJA members and the general public are · adb Special Award for Agriculture invited to nominate candidates, giving reason(s) for their nomination in not · Rural Reporting more than 120 words. · Telecommunications The deadline for the submission of entries is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, · Transport / Road Safety September 9, 2020. Entries/Nominations should be addressed to: The Chairperson CATEGORY THREE: th · Best Columnist 25 GJA Media Awards Committee · Best Radio Morning Show (Local Language) Ghana Journalists Association · Best Radio Morning Show (English) P.O. Box GP 4636 Accra. · Best Radio Station (Local Language) Entries may also be delivered direct to the Ghana International Press · Best Radio Station (English) Centre, Accra. · Best Television Station (Local Language) Please note that the GJA is NOT bound to give an award in a category if it does not merit one. · Best Television Station (English) th · Best Newspaper Kindly be informed that this news release on the 25 GJA Media · Best Online Awards overrides earlier communication(s) on same that may have been circulated, and must be acknowledged as such. CATEGORY FOUR: · Best Regional Radio Stations SIGNED: Kofi Yeboah (General Secretary) 12 THE CATHOLIC STANDARD Electronic Edition Sunday, August 9 – Saturday, August 15, 2020 Ghanaians urged to segregate their President Launches First Waste to Curb coronavirus pandemic Ghana-assembled Principal Civic Education According to her, the National Officer of the Gomoa West Commission for Civic Education was Volkswagen Vehicles ADistrict, Edith Ivy Howard, engaged in a nationwide campaign to has called for the segregation of educate Ghanaians on maintaining resident Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on August 3 household waste and the proper good environmental sanitation launched the first cars to roll out of a Volkswagen local disposal of refuse, particularly PPE practices to combat the spread of the Passembly plant in Ghana at the Accra North Industrial Area. waste. coronavirus. In an interview with the Ghana The campaign, which falls under The brands of vehicles included the Tiguan, the Tremont sport utility, News Agency (GNA), she noted that a the third phase of the “Accountability, the midsize Passat sedan and the Amarok pickup truck. concerted observance of safety Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption At a short ceremony, an elated President Akufo-Addo declared; "It is measures against the COVID-19 Programme (ARAP)”, is funded by a good day, a very good day for Ghana." pandemic was needed to herd off the the European Union. disease. The President disclosed that Ghana's estimates of vehicle imports was USD1.5 billion annually, and hoped the development of a domestic automobile industry would promote import substitution and enhance the SMA Priest Calls on Catholic country's export regime. He was also hopeful that other global automobile companies, which Youth to Embrace Agriculture had indicated their preparedness to set-up shops in Ghana, “will soon follow the remarkable and pioneering example of Volkswagen.” h e R e v. F r. P h i l i p p e community on why a Priest of his The Accra Assembly Plant is the fifth of such facilities established by M ' b o u a , a n I v o r i a n stature should do farming. He is the Volkswagen in sub-Saharan Africa. The Accra VW Assembly Plant is Tmissionary of the Society of currently engaged in poultry and expected to produce some 5,000 vehicles annually in Ghana. African Missions (SMA), has called maize farming. on Catholic youths to embrace He also mentioned difficulties in agriculture as a source of livelihood. either getting labour, as everyone is He made the call at a working busy on their own farms, or in getting visit, paid to him at the Oku rectorate funds to pay for services. of the Our Lady of Assumption Parish Fr. M'boua called for increased in the Konongo-Mampong Diocese by support to small-scale farmers, Fr. Dennis Senyo Etti, the Vice particularly in this period of the COVID-19 pandemic, when there is a Provincial Superior of the SMA, need for government to intervene in Ghana Province. As a Catholic Priest, who also buying excess produce from farmers engages in agriculture to support his due to border restrictions. He feared ministry, he said he faces challenges farmers might not be able to get practising agriculture in the Oku money to plant for this season.

Seminarian Dies in Motorbike One of the vehicles outdoored. Accident become a soldier of the Lord. consolation, the Rector of the rancis Nyaga, a 30- accident, has been laid to Kuuia Baawobr, Bishop of His formators describe Seminary, the Very Rev. Fr. year-old Philosophy rest at his village, Lyssa, a Wa, who officiated at the Francis as a young man, Jerome Damnyag, likened FIII seminarian of the suburb of Ko-Nandom in private burial consoled the ready to surrender himself the death of Francis to a St. Augustine's Millennium the Upper West Region of b e r e a v e d f a m i l y a n d totally into the hands of God, hungry, starving person, Major Seminary, Tamale Ghana. sympathisers, saying God and to be formed as Priest. w h o s e f o o d f a l l s o f f who died in a motorbike The Most Rev. Richard fashions things in ways that H i s l o v e f o r s i l e n c e , eventually to the ground, just mortals cannot comprehend. meditation, prayer as well as as he was taking it to his The late Francis, also the a docility of spirit and self- mouth. Vice Dean of Seminarians, discipline could not go From Michael had been home on vacation in unnoticed. Akornoba Jirapa, and was returning to his H i s p e e r s i n t h e assigned quasi-domicile seminary described him as Parish at the St. Raphael “the walking Bible”, and as Church in Han. one of their best brothers; he He was the second of was full of potentials and s e v e n c h i l d r e n . A f t e r h u m o u r , g i f t e d w i t h completing the Sunyani brilliance, confidence and Technical University, he was b o l d n e s s . H e a l s o admitted into the Ghana armed demonstrated skills in public forces, where he underwent speaking, being poetic, military training, before p h i l o s o p h i c a l a n d *Bishop Baawobr performing the rite of joining the seminary to theological in all. Francis Nyaga committal for Francis. undergo another training to I n a w o r d o f Sunday, August 9 – Saturday, August 15, 2020 Electronic Edition THE CATHOLIC STANDARD 13 GHANA CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE ISSUES GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC WORSHIP

INTRODUCTION celebrant and the candidates with reasonable number of Knights of the Altar (cross-bearer, With the easing of some restrictions on social/religious gathering announced by the acolytes, Book of the Gospels, bearers of the bishop’s mitre and crosier). President of the Nation on Sunday, July 26, 2020 and in consultation with the Episcopal b. It is still recommended that Knights of Marshall, Knights of St. John Chairman for Liturgy, Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum and his Team, we, your Bishops International or Sirs and Dames be discouraged from taking part in the entrance issue the following guidelines: procession. CHURCH PREMISES AND BUILDING c. The recommendations made earlier in this document for the celebration of Holy 1. Ministries and liturgical robes: Mass are applicable here. A limited and reasonable number of ministers could be permitted to undertake their d. For the litany of the saints, reasonable number of cantors should be used. functions and put on their prescribed liturgical robes. The ministries are: e. The imposition of hands by the principal celebrant and the concelebrants i. Singing Groups MUST NOT BE OMITTED (only it should not be elaborate). All should sanitize their ii. Ushers hands before this exercise. iii.Lectors f. As a requirement the anointing of the palm of the candidates cannot be omitted. iv. Knights of the Altar g. The presentation of the chalice and the paten must be done. These are to be 2. The use of incense: sanitized afterwards. The use of incense at liturgical and para-liturgical celebrations could be encouraged. h. It is still recommended that the gesture of welcoming the newly ordained into the 3. Fresh water for asperges: presbyterium by both the Bishop and other concelebrating priests be omitted. Fresh water should be blessed for asperges as required by the rubrics. i. It is still recommended that the taking of photographs etc. will all have to respect 4. Liturgical books: social distancing. All the liturgical books are to be sanitized for liturgical use. j. The above recommendations are applicable to the Renewal of Vows, Profession 5. Reverencing the altar: of Final Vows, Jubilees and so on. Reverencing the altar should still be limited to a deep bow. GENERAL 6. Tabernacle key i. It is still recommended that the sacristies, cupboards and vestments are The tabernacle key must be sanitized for liturgical use and possibly handled by one disinfected on regular basis to protect the users. person. ii. It is still recommended that sacred linens must be used once, after which they are THE INTRODUCTORY RITES to be washed and ironed before reuse. The use of face/nose masks is strongly recommended for the main celebrant except when THE OTHER SACRAMENTS praying the presidential prayers. 1. BAPTISM THE LITURGY OF THE WORD The Sacrament of Baptism could be administered while observing the required i. The use of Microphones social distancing. It is now recommended that the ministers sanitize their hands in the Proper hygiene should be observed in the use of the microphone throughout the liturgical performance of the following rites: celebration. a. Anointing ii. Use of Commentators b. Laying on of hands This ministry could be employed in the liturgical celebration while respecting social c. Ephphatha distancing. d. The rite of pouring water, presentation of white line and lighted candles be done iii. Lectors respecting one-meter social distancing. The regular number of lectors could be employed to undertake their proper and 2. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION appropriate ministry but respecting social distancing. Given the Church’s norms for confession, the priest must be physically present to iv. Homilies the penitent in person, and must be able to hear the penitent without the aid of electronic The time for homilies could be extended but respecting the two-hour duration devices. As always, the priest should take great care to ensure that the conversation with recommended for every liturgical celebration. the penitent remains absolutely confidential. It is still recommended that priests hear v. Prayer of the Faithful confessions under the following conditions: It is recommended that the Prayer of the Faithful could be led by one person, preferably the Priest and penitent wear face masks. lector. Both should respect social distancing-one (1) meter apart using chairs. The LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST Collection/Offertory/Presentation of Gifts sacredness of the sacrament is not to the compromised. i) Two collections may be taken: one after the Prayer of the Faithful and the second one 3. ANOINTING OF THE SICK after the reception of Holy Communion. In both cases parishioners are to ensure that their hands Priests are encouraged to continue to pastorally care for the sick, the elderly and are sanitized. Still appeal for funds and fundraising exercises are to be discouraged. those who cannot attend Mass. Care for the Sick and Elderly which includes Communion, ii) It is recommended that those who want to bring offertory gifts must be encouraged to Anointing of the Sick, and Penance, may be celebrated for those in need at the discretion of send them directly to the rectory or designated place within the Church building outside Holy the priest. In such situations it is still recommended: Mass hours. • That both Priest and invalid wear face masks. THE COMMUNION RITE • They respect the required social distancing while administering the Sacrament of i. Sign of Peace: it is still strongly recommended that it be omitted until further Anointing of the sick. notice. • Use of hand sanitizer before and after the sacrament. ii. Communicants: they should be encouraged to receive Holy Communion in their MARRIAGE palms. All communicants are to approach the minister with the face/nose masks on until 4. the reception of Holy Communion and replace them immediately. In all this they are to The Sacrament of Marriage may be administered while observing social distancing respect social distancing. except for the couple for whom physical nearness is inevitable. iii. The presence of the Knights with the sword at the distribution of Communion should • Mass weddings should still be discouraged during this period. still be discouraged. • All the prescriptions about the celebration of the Eucharist are still applicable CONCELEBRATION OF MASS here. i. All concelebrating priests are to be seated observing the social distancing protocols. 5. FUNERAL CELERBATION ii. We still recommend that extra chalices must be provided so that concelebrating priests Funerals may take place in compliance with the number of individuals permitted to can communicate by intinction. The main chalice should be used only by the main/principal gather while observing social distancing. In this case we offer the following celebrant who should also make sure he purifies it after use. recommendations: iii. All concelebrating priests are to wear masks throughout the Mass, except when • Rite of reception at the entrance should be open to limited members while proclaiming the Gospel or participating in Holy Communion. maintaining the expected social distancing. iv. It is still recommended that at the doxology, only the principal celebrant raises both the • At the graveside: Social distancing and standard hygienic practices should chalice and the paten. still be adhered to. PRESENCE OF DEACONS AT LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS CONCLUSION They perform all their liturgical functions proper to their office including purification of We wish to encourage all Catholic faithful to resume attending Masses and appeal to chalices. same to continue to observe the social distancing recommendation of one-meter between WHEN BISHOPS PRESIDE persons, practice frequent hand washing, sanitize frequently-touched surfaces and wear a We recommend that bishops can now use their crosiers, mitres and other regalia at all face mask when out in public. liturgical and para-liturgical celebrations. Let us all together continue to pray that God will heal the world and our country of PRIESTLY ORDINATIONS the COVID-19 pandemic. May Mary, our Mother of Perpetual Help continue to intercede All the details concerning priestly ordinations should not be compromised but strictly for us. followed. However, it is important to ensure that all the protocols are equally observed. a. It is still recommended that all concelebrating priests must vest and get seated in their places respecting social distancing. The entrance procession should be limited to the principal July 31, 2020 14 THE CATHOLIC STANDARD Electronic Edition Sunday, August 9 – Saturday, August 15, 2020 Science Training Crucial To Ghana's Progress – Prof. Yankah

rof. Kwesi Yankah, the Association. Minister of State in Prof. Mohammed Salifu, the promote, popularise and demystify Pc h a r g e o f Te r t i a r y Executive Secretary of the National science and also improve science Education, has said effective Council for Tertiary Education education, was formed in 1953 at the teaching of science, technology, (NCTE), challenged the GSA to then University of Gold Coast as the engineering and mathematics, is come up with well-tailored West African Science Association. critical to the nation's progress. proposals, with well-spelt out The inauguration of the GSA in Prof. Yankah stated this when o b j e c t i v e s , i n d i c a t i n g t h e 1959 broadened its scope of activities the Ghana Science Association government's role in delivering the from reading of scientific papers, to (GSA) donated 1,000 copies of the Association's mandate. involvement in national and "Everyday Science for Schools" The GSA, whose mandate is to international affairs. – GNA magazine to the Ghana Education Service. Globally, he said, science, technology, engineering and Prof. Yankah Choose Leaders Who Meet mathematics are acknowledged as the backbone for industrial Your Developmental Needs advancement for economic Prof. Regina Appiah-Opong, the development. GSA Honorary National Treasurer, He noted, however, that a lot said while the Association was set to – Chief of Staff more needed to be done to make promote the learning and effective the learning of science attractive to application of science, it had a few Ms. Akosua Frema Osei Opare, the students. Chief of Staff to the President, has challenges, such as the non-payment of urged Ghanaians to choose leaders "This is a task the Ministry of allowances of Council members and who will meet their developmental Education is committed to, and we insufficient funds to run crucial needs. count on groups such as the Ghana programmes. She said this on August 2, 2020, Science Association to get it done," She urged the government to lend when she joined Ghanaians at the he said. assistance and support to the Abotseman Presby JHS polling station, East Legon in the Greater Accra Region, to register and obtain a new voter card. She was accompanied by the Anti-Corruption Body to Push for Municipal Chief Executive of the Ayawaso West municipality, Sandra Owusu Ahenkora and the Member of Akosua Frema Osei Opare ‘Conduct of Public Officers’ Law Parliament for the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency, Lydia Seyram the registration officials at the centre and He said the stakeholders would Alhassan. urged them to enforce the safety protocols he Deputy Commissioner of the The Chief of Staff interacted with outlined for the registration exercise. Commission on Human Rights also drive the enactment of the Whistle- Tand Administrative Justice blower Amendment Bill, promote (CHRAJ), Richard Quayson, has surveys on corruption and on gender the establishment of Public Relations disclosed that CHRAG would push for and corruption, and encourage media (PR) and Complaints Units for the the enactment of a Conduct of Public houses to use a national anti-corruption Judicial Service. O f f i c e r s ' L a w a n d a n I l l i c i t dashboard to report on corruption. He said through the NACAP, Enrichment Law in 2021. Mr. Quayson said 119 broad awareness on the evils of corruption and He said this at an annual Report activities were at various stages of the mechanisms for reporting them, Validation workshop, funded by the implementation, while eight activities including whistle-blowing, had Accountability, Rule of Law and Anti- were yet to commence. He cited increased. Corruption Programme (ARAP) of the specific gains his outfit had made. The Deputy Commissioner lauded European Union. These include automation of the Ghana's performance with regard to the Stakeholders involved in the Superior and Circuit courts; the digitisation of the operations of the implementation of a National Anti- electronic case distribution system, the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority, Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) were introduction of an Integrity Awards improved funding for the Audit Service finalising their full recommendations for system and the development of a Code and the accelerated digitisation of banking and financial institutions. the year. They are the CHRAJ, the of Conduct for Members of Parliament. The ARAP is supporting the anti- National Commission for Civic Others are the digitisation of key revenue generation institutions; Mr. Richard Quayson corruption drive in Ghana, in Education (NCCE) and the Ghana Police collaboration with the CHRAJ. Service. computerised revenue generation systems to simplify tax collection; and Women, Girls Worst Hit by Coronavirus Pandemic: Population Council he Central Regional Mutilation (FGM) and that by 2030, Planned Parenthood Association of Officer of the National 13 million cases of child marriages Ghana (PPAG), said the pandemic had TPopulation Council would have occurred. increased the rate of SGBV, FGM, (NPC) says women and girls are “This is just to show that teenage pregnancy, unsafe abortions t h e h a r d e s t h i t b y t h e indeed women and girls are and child marriages. coronavirus pandemic. vulnerable to their abusers and they On her part, Mrs. Thywill Eyram Speaking at a stakeholder needed to be protected,” adding that Kpe, the Regional Director of the roundtable meeting in Cape Coast, COVID-19 had led to an increase in Department of Gender, called on on World Population Day on July domestic violence. parents to take extra care of their wards 11, Augustine Jongtey further S p e a k i n g o n t h e s a m e during these trying times, as they could disclosed that there were two occasion, Michael Tagoe of the be taken advantage of. million cases of Female Genital The stakeholder meeting. Sunday, August 9 – Saturday, August 15, 2020 Electronic Edition THE CATHOLIC STANDARD 17 16 THE CATHOLIC STANDARD Electronic Edition Sunday, August 9 – Saturday, August 15, 2020

influential group within the Pope Appoints Six Women To Top Roles Roman Catholic church – antagonised campaigners for women's and LGBT rights. On Vatican Council In Progressive Step She rejected calls to break with the group, saying: “It is ope Francis has heads up the Vatican a private spiritual life and I a p p o i n t e d s i x Museums, and Francesca don't think it is relevant to my Pwomen to oversee D i G i o v a n n i , t h e job.” the Vatican's finances undersecretary of the B u t s h e r u l e d o u t including Ruth Kelly, the Vatican's Secretariat of working at the Department of former Labour Minister, in State. Health because of her the most senior roles ever Kelly, 52, was an opposition to abortion, and at given to women within the economics correspondent t h e D e p a r t m e n t f o r C a t h o l i c c h u r c h ' s for the Guardian for four International Development leadership. years in the 1990s, and went because it promoted the use The appointments mark on to hold a number of of condoms to prevent the the most significant step by c a b i n e t p o s t s a n d spread of HIV/Aids. Pope Francis to fulfil his ministerial positions in She also came under fire promise of placing women in Labour governments under for sending her son, who had top positions. Until now, the Tony Blair and Gordon dyslexia, to a £15,000-a-year 15-member Council for the Brown, heading up the private school. Economy was all male. By departments of education, Kelly resigned from the statute, the council must transport, and communities cabinet in 2008, saying she include eight bishops – who and local government. In wanted to spend more time are always men – and seven Pope Francis the latter role she was also with her family, and she did laypeople. the women's minister. not stand in the 2010 “That six are women is At the age of 36, she election. She joined HSBC, worsened by the coronavirus a pretty big quota,” said Charles, is the other British was the youngest woman to and moved in 2015 to St pandemic and a sharp drop in J o s h u a M c E l w e e , t h e woman among the team. The sit in a British cabinet. But M a r y ' s U n i v e r s i t y , the number of visitors to the Vatican correspondent for other women are Charlotte B l a i r ' s s u r p r i s e Twickenham. Vatican Museums, a cash cow the National Catholic Kreuter-Kirchhof and Marija appointment of Kelly to be Farrer, 65, spent seven for the Holy See. Reporter. “But the important Kolak, both from Germany, education secretary ruffled years as treasurer to the Pope Francis created the thing here is that these six and Maria Concepción feathers among colleagues Prince of Wales, and before Council for the Economy in women are part of a group Osácar Garaicoechea and who believed others were that worked for KPMG. 2014. “It is essentially the that essentially oversees all Eva Castillo Sanz, both from better qualified. She had Since leaving the royal board of surveillance for of the financial activities of Spain. The only layman on four children – the first born household she has held a the Vatican, so obviously the council is Alberto Minali, everything financial within the 11 days after the 1997 Vatican, with the only person number of non-executive that's a pretty top-level a former director general at election – in her first five directorships, including at group.” G e n e r a l i , a n I t a l i a n above it being Pope Francis,” years as an MP. said McElwee. the Institute for the Works of The female appointees Insurance Company. H e r d e v o u t Religion, more commonly The appointments come Other women who have are all European and have C a t h o l i c i s m a n d known as the Vatican bank. as the Vatican struggles with obtained prominent positions high-profile financial membership of Opus Dei – theguardian.com backgrounds. Leslie Ferrar, its finances, with problems during Pope Francis' papacy a highly conservative and a former treasurer to Prince include Barbara Jatta, who We are Living a Nightmare, But We Will Not Give Up and Will Continue to Help the Most Vulnerable – Caritas Lebanon

ore than 300,000 people help all the people in difficulty", she "The country has stopped and political crisis, violence, the Covid- have been displaced from underlines. "Many have died and we are experiencing a nightmare - 19 pandemic and the consequences of Mtheir homes, thousands been wounded, and from a health says the president of Caritas the economic sanctions imposed on have been wounded and hundreds point of view the situation will likely Lebanon, Father Michel Abboud - Syria - underlines Aloysius John, have died: this is the provisional toll deteriorate rapidly due to the effects We have nothing to help the secretary general of Caritas caused by the explosion that took of toxic gases. Caritas Lebanon is population. Beirut is devastated and Internationalis. place on Tuesday, 4 August in the preparing for this possibility, but our we are totally overwhelmed by the “We must not forget how much port of Beirut (see Fides, 5/8/2020). health centers have no means to deal scale of events". the effects of economic sanctions and "It is a terrible and disastrous with such a situation and the rescue "Our volunteers immediately violence have weakened this country situation and today we are in total operations are made even more mobilized to locate and assist the and are weighing heavily on confusion", reports to Caritas difficult due to the lack of injured, who are unfortunately Lebanon, which today must also face Internationalis Rita Rhayem, electricity". a l r e a d y o v e r w h e l m e d a n d a serious food crisis". John urges "the director of Caritas Lebanon, whose The note sent to Agenzia Fides incredibly crowded in our primary international community to intervene staff immediately took action to reports that the Caritas Lebanon care centers, as well as hospitals. urgently and unconditionally in order help the people affected by the headquarters have also been Everything is lacking, including to help the population, so that they act explosion. seriously damaged by the explosion. food to support the affected decisively to alleviate the suffering of "The situation is critical and this According to local sources, the office population", stresses Rita Rhayem. the Lebanese, by immediately is the first time that we face an had closed just before the explosion "The explosions caused further removing the economic sanctions". emergency of this magnitude, but we and therefore no one among the staff damage to a Lebanon already on its Agenzia Fides will not stop and will go forward to was injured. knees due to the economic and Sunday, August 9 – Saturday, August 15, 2020 Electronic Edition THE CATHOLIC STANDARD 17 19th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Reflection on Readings: 1 Kgs 19:9, 11-13./ Rom 9:1-5./ Mt 14:22-33 God's Word By Rev. Fr. Samuel Christopher Vodzogbe Phoenician wife of King To receive God's response, we Ahab. She, therefore, must loosen ourselves from our threatened to kill the fixations and open ourselves the prophet, for which various modes in which God can reason Elijah fled to Mt. choose to communicate His response Horeb to commune with to us. Every person, at one time or the In spite of his mental anguish, other experiences crisis in their faith. God. It was in this solitude that God Paul ended up expressing his hope in Christians are not exception to this revealed Himself and gave Elijah a God with a statement of praise, God be human experience. The crisis can new commission. blessed forever. Amen!; as he waited in sometimes even be a communal Paul, in the Epistle was grieved expectation of an answer from God. experience, like a whole community over the fact that his fellow Meanwhile, he continued his ministry or a significant membership of the Israelites did not recognise Jesus as among the Gentiles, even to the end of community going through it. the Messiah. In spite of all his Fr. Vodzogbe his life. The first reading presents the evangelising work, his native Like Peter in the Gospel, when prophet Elijah in his personal crisis; so Israelites failed to recognize the faced a crisis when he realised he was our faith begins to waver, and we begin also does St. Paul in the Epistle. Peter Crucified Jesus as the Christ and sinking and called out to Jesus to save to sink under the weight of problems in in the Gospel account also faced a Saviour. This caused him much him. our life, let us learn to cry: Lord, save crisis situation when he started sinking mental anguish, and he achieved so When in crisis, Elijah had me! and stretch out our hand to the in the water. What is significant in the much success among the Gentiles recourse to God in prayer in solitude Lord to pull us out. three narratives is that in their crises, who were accepting the Gospel on the holy mountain and God Like Elijah, we must seek God in they had recourse to God, or as in the message and were being accepted answered him by revealing Himself prayer: in community worship, such as case of Peter, the Lord Jesus. into the Church in large numbers. in a form Elijah never expected. God the Mass, in our small group Elijah was a passionate defender Yet his fellow Israelites were revealed Himself to Elijah not in a devotional prayer and in personal of God’s sovereignty and devotion. To becoming fewer and fewer due to violent way, but in the gentle wind. prayer in solitude. Like Paul, we must protect the true worship, he contested their refusal to accept the Gospel From Elijah's experience, we are praise God even in anticipation of with the prophets of Baal and had them message. Are his people, who were invited to learn to seek God in prayer response to our prayer. Like Peter, we executed in his attempt to rid the land the channel of salvation of the and be open to God's response, but must learn to stretch out our hand to of idolatry. His action however world, to be lost out? He wondered. like Elijah, are we able to discern the Lord. infuriated Queen Jezebel, the The Gospel narrates how Peter God's response? Conversion Has Personal, Social Dimensions, Says Franciscan Superior

ev. Fr. Michael A. can't breathe' — no mercy take advantage of the Perry, the Minister w a s s h o w n b y t h o s e indulgence, “the spiritual gift RGeneral of the entrusted with the duty to that St. Francis obtained Franciscan Order, has save lives,” Fr. Perry said of from God through the described the murder of George Floyd to the mainly intercession of the Virgin George Floyd by white Italian congregation. Mary.” police officers in the US as a He stressed that “The “ I t i s a p l e n a r y “social and institutional spiritual insight of St. indulgence that may be sin,” which believers must Francis, his cry for mercy, received by partaking of the confront, if they are serious pardon and reconciliation sacraments of reconciliation about conversion and also has a social dimension reconciliation. and the Eucharist and that, if embraced and v i s i t i n g a P a r i s h o r He said God's great followed, will produce Franciscan church, reciting *Fr. Perry, opening the annual desire to forgive human sin is within each of us a profound the Creed, the Lord's prayer a call to set aside fear and celebration of the Pardon of Assisi on August 1, in the Basilica conversion.” of St. Mary of the Angels in Assisi, Italy and praying for the Pope and make a commitment to On the coronavirus, Fr. his intentions,” the Holy conversion — on a personal Perry said the COVID-19 Father explained. and societal level. pandemic is calling people's “How important it is to The U.S.-born head of through this great celebration Fr. Perry stated that attention to economic a l w a y s p u t G o d ' s the worldwide Franciscan of the Pardon of Assisi to reconciliation with God means i n j u s t i c e s a n d t o f o r g i v e n e s s , w h i c h Order was opening the abandon all that leads to reconciling with one's brothers environmental destruction. 'generates heaven' in us and annual August 1 celebration death, all that robs us of and sisters and with all of The next day, Pope around us, back at the centre” of the “Pardon of Assisi,” a God's mercy, pardon, peace creation. Francis after reciting the of one's life, the Pope special indulgence granted and joy,” he said at Mass in “Despite his plea for Angelus prayer at the observed, adding that pardon since 1216. the Basilica of St. Mary of the mercy, for oxygen — eight Va t i c a n o n A u g u s t 2 , comes from “the heart of Angels in Assisi. minutes and 46 seconds, 'I “God is calling us encouraged Catholics to God, who is merciful.” CNS Electronic Edition FREE CANCER TREATMENT – 1ST CALL

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Addressed to: The Administrator Location: Anidaso Health & Wellness Centre, Dokua Plaza, opposite Shell Filling Station, Christian Village Junction, off GIMPA-Achimota main road.

E-mail: [email protected] Cellphone/WhatsApp: The remains of Dr. Dartey being laid to rest. Looking on are some family members and close friends. 0591543344 / 0207503595

Dr. Doris Darty Kindly help us continue to provide you with the electronic version of The Catholic Standard. Since the last week of March this year, we have not been able to sell hard copies of the Paper due to COVID-19. laid to rest We need your kind and generous donation. You can please send your News Desk Report was read by her daughter, Mrs. donation to: MoMo number 0553921791 Darkoa Ofori-Afaglo. There in the name of Standard Newspapers and Magazines were also tributes by her or follow the information below to send us your support. he mortal remains of grandchildren and son in-law. Dr. Doris Yaa Dartey, a Dr. Dartey, 68, was a full Tmedia Consultant of t i m e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s The Catholic Standard, were consultant and undertook recently laid to rest at the assignments for donor-funded Lashibi Funeral Home near projects of national and Tema after a brief burial international institutions. service. S h e t a u g h t The burial ceremony was Communication and Public attended by family members, Relations courses in both in the f r i e n d s a n d s o m e s e n i o r United States of America and journalists in the country Ghana for 16 years and served including Dr. Anthony Bonnah on several boards including the Koomson, a close friend of Dr. National Media Commission. Dartey, Sir Ben Assorow, Dr. Dartey was a mentor to Managing Editor of The Catholic m a n y p r o f e s s i o n a l Standard, Dr. Roland Affail communicators, journalists and Monney, President of the Ghana public relations practitioners. Journalists’ Association. She impacted and challenged Preaching the sermon, Rev. many young men and women Dr. James Obeng, described her b y h e r b e n e v o l e n c e , as an inspiring, vibrant, strong, encouragement, generosity, God-fearing and persevering. affability and above all, her A tribute by her children, infectious smile.

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