VOL. 82 NO. 18 Electronic Edition GHANA’S NATIONAL CATHOLIC WEEKLY ESTD. IN 1938 SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2020 – SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2020 PRICE GH¢2.00

Holy Father Names Two Catholic Archbishop New Cardinal-Bishops, Finds Cure To The Vice Camerlengo Novel Coronavirus? Story on page 6 See page 2 Archbishop Kleda GHANA GETS NEW NUNCIO

ope Francis has appointed 51 year old With this appointment, the Pope has also Msgr. Henryk Mieczysław Jagodziński, promoted Msgr. Henryk Jagodziński to the rank of Pfrom Poland as Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana. an Archbishop with the title of Titular Archbishop His appointment was announced to the media by of Limosano. This is in line with the position of Rev. Fr. Lazarus Anondee, Secretary General of every Nuncio who bears the title of Archbishop. the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference last Msgr. Jagodziński will serve as the ninth Msgr. Jagodziński Sunday, May 3, 2020 at the Centenary House, Nuncio to Ghana. He succeeds Most Rev. Jean Accra. Marie Speich who was Nuncio from August 2013 The announcement was made following a to March 2019. The latter was transferred from Press Release signed by Rev. Msgr. Pavol Talapka, Ghana to Slovenia as Apostolic Nuncio and the Charge d’ Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in Apostolic Delegate to Kosovo. Ghana. Caritas Ghana continued on page 3 Read Take Action On Money Doublers On TV Supports Displaced story on page 8 – Kojo Oppong Nkrumah Urges Bank Old Fadama Of Ghana, Media Commission Residents Read story on page 3

0507175500 2 THE CATHOLIC STANDARD Electronic Edition Sunday, May 10 – Saturday, May 16, 2020

CATHOLIC Flood Victims Need Urgent Help: DRC Caritas Uvira World News of Uvira with more than 450 situated in the area has rescued thousand inhabitants has been hit thousands of people in flooded t h e h a r d e s t . Tw o b r i d g e s areas. connecting the town were swept U v i r a n e e d s f o o d , emocratic Republic of away by the waters cutting off the medicines, drinking water, shelter Congo's Diocese of city from the rest of the country. kits, domestic utensils, and Uvira Caritas Director, According to residents, water just mosquito nets. D kept coming into houses and on to The flooding is just the R e v . F r . D o m i n i c Mulumeoderhwa has said that the streets. It swept away people, latest of challenges in a region close to 100,000 people have especially children -swept away already besieged by years of been displaced by raging floods everything: Homes, schools, insecurity and conflict waged by a n d n e e d i m m e d i a t e churches, shops have all been gangs. During a Mass, on humanitarian assistance. damaged. An already fragile road- December 1, 2019, at the start of Torrential rains that started network has been eroded. The city the Catholic Liturgical season of last week have triggered flash shares a border with Burundi, but *General view showing a flooded neighbourhood in Uvira, south Kivu Advent in the St. Peter's Basilica, floods in the eastern provinces of that was already closed due to Pope Francis celebrated a special coronavirus anti-contagion M a s s w i t h t h e C o n g o l e s e the Democratic Republic of Congo adding to an already stressful and there is a real danger of water- confinement. community-based in Rome. (DRC). Initial reports spoke of situation. This means that there is borne diseases such as cholera. This all comes when During the Mass, Pope over 52 deaths, but with reports of limited help for the people of Uvira. L o c a l g o v e r n m e n t funding and international Aid Francis prayed for an end to the many people still missing, it will F r . M u l u m e o d e r h w a authorities working with UN agencies are focused on the conflict in the south Kivu region. be a while before an accurate described the situation as a agencies particularly UNHCR; the c o r o n a v i r u s e m e r g e n c y . He said the conflict in the area account is available. nightmare. No one in living memory Church through parishes and Restrictions in travel are also gravely threatened peace and was The densely populated city remembers Lake Tanganyika this Caritas Uvira; humanitarian actors responsible for so much suffering. h i g h . T h e K a n v i m v i r a a n d already on the ground were all A religious sister at the Mass, Sr. M u l o n g w e r i v e r s a r e a l s o doing their best to co-ordinate Rita Mboshu Kongo told Pope overflowing. The floods are so relief efforts. Others such as the Francis that a silent genocide was English Catholic Aid Agency unprecedented that Hippos have Congolese Red Cross were also happening in the DRC. been sighted near residential areas pitching in to help. Volunteers have South Kivu Province is Launches Appeal to Help of the city. been carrying on with search and also home to more than 50,000 The Diocesan Caritas office rescue operations for missing Burundian refugees who fled says Uvira needs urgent help. There persons. Deal with COVID-19 neighbouring Burundi's political is a lack of clean drinking water, The “Blue Helmets” UN turmoil. sanitation has been compromised, Mission in Congo (MONUSCO) Vatican News arning that the Wales. C O V I D - 1 9 CAFOD says aside from Wcoronavirus is “a the deaths that are likely to be “Donations have never been tsunami heading towards the caused by COVID-19, the more urgent, providing steadfast Holy Father Names homes of millions of poor pandemic will be a crisis for support to those who are in communities,” England's p o o r p e o p l e w h o f a c e greatest need.” Two New Cardinal-Bishops, l e a d i n g C a t h o l i c unemployment and loss of CAFOD is helping to international aid agency has access to markets during the deliver food to where it is needed Vice Camerlengo launched an appeal to help crisis. most; improving hygiene, p r e p a r e v u l n e r a b l e According to a report handwashing and sanitation at the communities from the effects from the UN's Economic community and household level; of the pandemic. Commission for Africa, over producing radio messages, “The potential scale of 300,000 Africans could lose posters and leaflets in local the pandemic across Africa, their lives due to COVID-19 l a n g u a g e s o n r i s k s a n d Asia, Latin America and the and 27 million people could be p r e v e n t i o n ; a n d t r a i n i n g Middle East - as well as among pushed into extreme poverty. community volunteers to carry r e f u g e e a n d d i s p l a c e d The report also notes that over a out awareness campaigns. populations in places such as third of households in Africa C A F O D ' s J o h n *Cardinal Tagle *Cardinal Stella *Archbishop Montanari Syria, South Sudan and the have no access to handwashing B i r c h e n o u g h , H e a d o f Rohingya camps in Bangladesh facilities, with many of the Humanitarian Programmes and - is truly frightening,” said others having only limited Global Support, told Crux what ope Francis has elevated Cardinal Luis Antonio Christine Allen, the Director of access. the organisation is doing in Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Catholic Agency for Overseas “We must not wait until Syrian refugee camps to fight the PEvangelisation of Peoples to the rank of Cardinal- Development (CAFOD), the we see the terrible headlines pandemic. Bishop. international development about millions of people whose Allen said that the Catholic In naming Cardinal Tagle to the Order of Bishops, Pope a g e n c y o f t h e B i s h o p s ' lives have been lost to the Church has a unique role to play Francis made him equal in all respects to those Cardinals with Conference of England and coronavirus,” said Allen. suburbicarian Churches. in the crisis, both due The Holy Father has also promoted Cardinal Beniamino to the fact that a large Stella, Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, to the Order of p r o p o r t i o n o f Cardinal-Bishops, granting him the “title” of the suburbicarian healthcare is provided Church of Porto-Santa Rufina. b y C a t h o l i c The Vatican also announced the appointment of organisations - a third Archbishop Ilson de Jesus Montanari as Vice Camerlengo of the in Africa - and because Holy Roman Church. o f t h e n e e d f o r Archbishop Montanari is the Secretary for the information from Congregation for Bishops. As Vice Camerlengo, he will work trusted sources. alongside Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Prefect of the Dicastery “ T r u s t i s for Laity, Family, and Life, who was named Camerlengo by essential for winning Pope Francis on 14 February 2019. over communities, The Vice Camerlengo assists the Camerlengo in carrying changing behaviours, out his duties, which include the formal certification of the death and reducing the of a reigning Pope, as well as the care and administration of the s p r e a d o f temporal goods of the Holy See during time of sede vacante (the coronavirus,” she period between the death of the Pope and the election of his explained. successor). *Women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo wash their hands. Cruxnow.com Vatican News Sunday, May 10 – Saturday, May 16, 2020 Electronic Edition THE CATHOLIC STANDARD 3 just by slavery in the past centuries, Pope Prays which everyone recognises as "barbaric." Ghana Gets New Nuncio "Even today, there are many for Workers, slaves, many men and women who are Croatia, and India. not free to work – they are forced to He speaks Polish, his native work to survive and nothing more,” he language, Italian, French, English, Employers said. There are those who are forced to Croatian, Russian and Spanish. work for little or no pay, who are It may be recalled that the Holy See n t h e c e l e b r a t i o n o f mistreated and even beaten, but have created the Delegation to Ghana and International Workers Day, no escape, he added. Nigeria – a single office in May 1973 with OPope Francis has extended his Pope Francis said he can His Excellency Archbishop Girolamo prayers to all workers, those who fight imagine someone saying, “‘Yes, Prigione as the Apostolic Delegate. On for justice for workers and for all Father, it is true, but because it happens April 29, 1976, the Holy See and Ghana employers who treat their workers so far away, it is hard to understand. established diplomatic relations with His fairly, even if it costs them some Excellency Archbishop Giuseppe Ferraioli Because here ...’ Yes, even here among Msgr. Jagodziński money. us. I am thinking of day laborers whom as the first Apostolic Nuncio (1976-1982). And pointing to the statue of St. He was succeeded by the following you make work for a pittance and not Continued from front page Joseph "with his work tools in hand," Nuncios: His Excellences Archbishops for eight, but for 12, 14 hours a day. Ivan Dias (1982-1987); Giuseppe Bertello Pope Francis prayed that the Saint would The New Nuncio was born on This happens today, here.” (1987-1991); Abraham Kattumana (1991- "help us fight for the dignity of labour so January 1, 1969 in Malogoszcz, Poland "Think about the domestic who 1993); Andrè Dupuy (1993-2000); George that there is work for all and that it would is not paid justly, is not guaranteed and ordained a Priest on June 3, 1995. He obtained a Doctorate Degree Kocherry (2000-2007); Leon Kalenga be worthy labour, not slave labour. May social assistance, who cannot retire. Badikabele (2008-2013); and Jean Marie this be our prayer today.” in Canon Law from the Pontifical This does not happen just in Asia. University of the Holy Cross, Rome in Speich (2013-2019). With a statue of St. Joseph, mallet Here," he said. His Excellency Archbishop in hand, placed near the Altar, Pope 2001, and in preparation for the "Every injustice done to a Diplomatic Service, he studied at the Abraham Kattumana had the shortest duty Francis dedicated his morning Mass on person who works is a trampling on Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in tour, from 1991 to 1993, while His May 1 to workers, especially those paid human dignity, including on the Rome from 1999 to 2001. Msgr. Excellency Archbishop George Kocherry unjustly or virtually enslaved. dignity of the one who commits the Jagodziński entered the Diplomatic had the longest stay of more than seven "Today is the feast of St. Joseph injustice," the Pope said. Service of the Holy See on July 1, 2001. years from 2000 to 2007. the Worker," celebrated also as The vocation God gives, he From 2018 till his appointment as Ghana appointed His Excellency Sir James Bebaako-Mensah as its first resident International Workers Day and as Labour said, "is so beautiful: to create, re- Nuncio to Ghana, he served as First Day in many countries; "let us pray for all Counsellor in the Apostolic Nunciature Ambassador to the Holy See in 2013. In the create, and work. But this can be done past, Ghana's Ambassador to France or workers. All of them," the Pope said at only when the conditions are fair, and in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the beginning of the Mass in the chapel of Montenegro. Switzerland was also accredited to the Holy the dignity of the person is respected." See. Currently, His Excellency Mr. Joseph the Domus Sanctae Marthae. The New Nuncio has also served CNS at the Holy See Secretariat of State and Kojo Akudibilah is Ghana's Ambassador to He prayed that no one would be the Holy See. lacking a job and "that all would be paid Apostolic Nunciatures in Belorussia, justly and may enjoy the dignity of work and the beauty of rest." In his homily, focused on the creation story in the feast day's first ‘Take Action On Money reading, Genesis 1:26-2:3, Pope Francis said it was "as if" God told the first human beings: "You must do this, care Doublers On TV’ for this and that; you must work to create this world with me and keep it going." nformation Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has said he has written The work human beings do, he to the Bank of Ghana and the National Media Commission to take note of the activities of money doublers on television and take appropriate said, "is nothing other than the I action against them. continuation of God's work. Human "With the Menzgold investment imbroglio still fresh on the minds of work is the vocation received from God." Ghanaians, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah, who is a finance professional, tweeted: “I "Work is what makes the person have written to the Bank of Ghana and the National Media Commission to take similar to God because with work one is a note of the activities of money doublers on TV and act as appropriate to tackle creator, is capable of creating, of creating it”. many things, including creating a family “The Ghana cedi, which is produced under the authority of the BoG, to keep going," the Pope said. "And this cannot and ought not to be duplicated”, he noted, adding: “The BoG and NMC gives dignity to the human person. The have a responsibility to take a view of such acts on our televisions and act dignity that makes one resemble God. accordingly”. The dignity of labour." Over the years, the money doublers have capitalized on the vulnerability Unfortunately, he said, the dignity of some Ghanaians to fleece them. of labour is "often trampled on," and not peacefmonline.com Mr. Oppong Nkrumah FDA to Arrest Vendors of Unapproved Nose Masks

he Food and Drugs Authority COVID-19 pandemic could be detrimental To be effective, he stated that nose depending on the frequency of use or (FDA) has cautioned against the to human health. masks generally must be able to filter out when saturated from condensation build- Tuse of unapproved nose masks Therefore, manufacturers of such particles and still be easy to breathe u p f r o m b r e a t h i n g , o r a f t e r a that have flooded markets across the products were to register their products as through. contamination event. country. per Section 118 and 97 of the Public Health Mr. Odai-Tettey said Calico-Stiff Mr. Odai-Tettey advised buyers Consequently, it has warned to arrest Act, 2012 (Act 851), he said. (Hard/Medium) with three-layer not to return used or fake masks to sellers all persons caught selling such unapproved Explaining some recommendations combination was ideal for reusable to avoid the temptation of being resold to nose masks to serve as deterrent to others. for homemade nose masks, Mr. Odai-Tettey homemade COVID-19 nose mask. other users to contain the spread of the Mr. John Odai-Tettey, the Central said fabric used for masks should be free He advised that reusable masks Coronavirus. Regional Director of the Authority, gave the from all chemicals adding that: “In any must first be disinfected; then washed with The public should keep the advice in an interview with the Ghana News event that printed fabric is used, the layer of soap or detergent until clean, rinsed under protocols in place for the prevention of Agency. the fabric in direct contact with the face running water; dried in the open sun, and the pandemic, he added. He indicated that using unapproved should be plain fabric that is free from ironed before reuse. GNA substances with the aim of fighting the chemicals.” They should be routinely washed 4 THE CATHOLIC STANDARD Electronic Edition Sunday, May 10 – Saturday, May 16, 2020 EDITORIAL Letter to the Editor The Insensitivity of SSNIT A Call for Equitable Distribution Towards Pensioners of COVID-19 Trust Fund Donations he National Security and shown any interests in researching into National Trust (SSNIT) the welfare of pensioners to know how Td o n a t e s a w h o o p i n g they fare after milking them, using he Catholic Standard is happy that Ghana's COVID-19 Fund set Gh¢500,000 to the COVID-19 Fund? their monies for very profitable and up by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to fight the It is laudable in the face of a pandemic unprofitable projects! not one! yet deadly disease in Ghana has been attracting generous donations ravaging the entire human race in SSNIT is callous enough to insult T ways unimaginable and so this bold workers as having earned very low from private companies, individuals, religious and civil society intervention by SSNIT surely is salaries and so what they are getting as organisations. highly commendable, we all should low allowances are a result of their low We respect and trust members of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, doff our hats to the Trust. Great! salaries in the past? chaired by former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo, and have no doubt We also are aware of SSNIT's These are the harsh realities of that they will discharge their duties as best as possible. We however enviable fat portfolio of investments most of pensioners in Ghana. I have want to make some suggestions. which include all of these: Financial: personally conducted my own research We are aware that the National COVID-19 Trust Fund has started bank and non-bank, insurance. visiting a lot of colleague pensioners Manufacturing: pharmaceuticals, food and asking them about their living distributing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other and beverage, mining and agriculture. conditions, food, medical bills, essential medical items to the Ghana Health Service, COVID-19 Services: hospitality, healthcare, socialisation, etc. The revelations are Care Team and some selected health institutions. logistics, transportation, sanitation. simply unbearable and unthinkable! While we commend the proactive and responsive approach of the Fund's Energy: power, oil and gas. Real If the benefits SSNIT pays to Board, we recommend that the Board establish detailed Estates: residential, commercial, beneficiaries are inhumanly low and operational guidelines to augment the intention set out in the markets, malls, multi-storey car parks, the Trust can only say the law property management and industrial prescribes it to be so, you are on record enabling Act. This would forestall any future arbitrary actions in estates. SSNIT generally has had a to say low salaries begat low pensions, the administration of the Fund. This may also be the answer to robust financial muscle tough enough to where is your humanity then? The laws those who are speculating likely political influence in the allocation have extended humanitarian hands to were made by humans, the Board of of the Fund. The guidelines might also forestall a narrow focus of COVID Fund but not sympathetic Directors and Trustees must be the Fund on PPEs while ignoring other important issues worthy of enough to look at the real plight of responsive to changing situations. p e n s i o n e r s w h o s e ' c o l l e c t i v e Don’t forget the little and low salaries consideration. contributions' has built such a huge of these pensioners you are ridiculing As we laud the Government on the bold steps taken to fight the spread of enterprise. today, once upon a time were pooled the new Coronavirus in Ghana, especially the setting up of the Pensioners allowances in Ghana together over the years to enable you COVID-19 Trust Fund, this Paper is of the view that, the funds are the lowest in the subregion, woefully build up such huge portfolio of should be equitably distributed to cover all the Regions and indeed inadequate to take care of their basic investments! medical centres including faith-based facilities in remote areas of needs of food, healthcare and Society is dynamic, times are medication. In the face of all these changing so fast! You cannot have the the country. enviable successes SSNIT has chalked status quo and leave pensioners to This Paper has observed that most of the donations are made in Accra, it has consistently failed to cater for the continue to wallow in misery resulting probably for the donors to attract media attention and publicity. needs of its beneficiaries a more in the rising numbers of premature We are kindly reminding donors to also extend their meaning way. It is a fact most deaths amongst them. Why has the humanitarian gestures to health facilities and front-liners in pensioners live in squalor and silent Board and Managers of SSNIT deprivation throughout their lives, become so insensitive to the real plight remote areas of the country who are making great sacrifices in the u n a b l e t o m a k e d o w i t h s u c h of pensioners? Why? Remember you fight against the pandemic. humiliating Gh¢300 minimum cannot continue to justify the For example, last week there was a passionate appeal by officials of the allowance for the lowest paid who are in miserable situation of pensioners with Presbyterian Hospital in Bawku for Personal Protection the majority. economic and theoretical jargons like Equipment. It is a pity that this hospital that takes care of people in There is no justification for ‘indexation', 'consumer price index', such a very large community lacks PPE. SSNIT to offer such pittance to workers and all 'the redistribution formula' and whose sweat and toil and funds they the law. For God’s sake where is your While the nation focuses on COVID-19, it is the view of The Catholic have pooled together over many years humanity and who made the law? Was Standard that other medical items needed for the treatment of so the Trust can boast of all those huge the law cast in stone? other known diseases like Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM), HIV plethora of investments. We are sick and tired of an and AIDS should be made available. Why have the Managers/Board institution which had never conducted In pointing out the need for support for health centres in the rural areas of Directors of the Fund insulated any research into the real living we have to commend Togbe Afede XIV, President of the National themselves from the real concerns of conditions of pensioners in Ghana yet pensioners in Ghana? It is just can openly ridicule the low salaries of House of Chiefs for having donated GHC 50,000 to support the unacceptable, it is inhuman, it is the very people whose aggregated low fight against CSM that has claimed more than 40 lives in the Upper debilitating the way SSNIT treats salaries have built SSNIT to what it is West Region. Mr. Clement Akapame also deserves mention for his pensioners. The amount offered today. You are unable to raise donation of PPE and other medical items, costing thousands of pensioners as their monthly allowance significantly the allowances of the cedis, to the St. Lucas Hospital, Wiaga located in a very remote is in itself insulting to say the least, do p o o r p e n s i o n e r y e t y o u c a n they know it is the major cause of early unconditionally dole out huge sums of area in the Upper East Region. death of pensioners? Pensioners in money for other frivolous ventures in We appreciate indigenes of Battor and Aveyime in the Tema-Battor Ghana are living in hell, why do I say the past and now COVID Fund. Deanery of the Accra Arcdiocese, who recently donated some so? Because most of them die We are asking for a total review health care supplies to the Battor Catholic Hospital. There are prematurely and SSNIT does not care a of the law which emboldens SSNIT to other reports of a number of individuals and organisations, like the hoot. SSNIT is only interested in the low pay us peanuts monthly as allowances Marshallans, St. John International and the St. Theresa of the salaries of contributors collected in bulk and a change in the attitude of over time to become a huge source for managers of the Trust towards Child Jesus who are lending some support at the national, diocesan their investments portfolios yet so pensioners to soften their insensitivity and Parish levels. We need more of such support throughout the insensitive to keep telling pensioners in and to graciously look at reforms country. the face their contributions were too low which will seek the welfare of This is the time for Ghanaians to exhibit more of their humanitarian for any reasonable upward adjustments. pensioners. We are waiting to see what spirit by also donating towards the improvement of health in the It is so annoying we know some of these happens next. managers never worked in Ghana. John Kuadzi, country during and after the fight against COVID-19. Over the years SSNIT had not a Pensioner Sunday, May 10 – Saturday, May 16, 2020 Electronic Edition THE CATHOLIC STANDARD 5

By Rev. Fr. David Selasie accentuate the positive side of other Agah, SVD Family Life in Time of a Pandemic people in their social relationship. I n t h e s a m e v e i n , p a r e n t s he time also serves as an themselves can complement the o p p o r t u n i t y f o r (Corona Virus): Benefits and Challenges (2) efforts of each other while spending strengthening interpersonal quality time together. This goes a T way further to promote healthy living. relationship in the family. Family to growth and development as well as members get to know each other Besides, during this time of a effective and positive communication in pandemic, the expression of love helps to better at the behavioural and emotional order to lessen violence and conflicts in strengthen the bond among family level. In the sense that activities and works family life. m e m b e r s . I t c r e a t e s a c e r t a i n outside home which have taken this Thus, one other benefit that the family connectedness among family members. essential aspect away, is no more there as can derive from the situation of this It also shows how everyone is usual. Many parents (couples) spend pandemic is the benefit of good and effective appreciated and valued as a unique greater part of their time at work, they communication. The current condition in individual. Thus, no one is left alone to hardly have time to know each other. In the world will afford the family the his fate. this way there are many things that even opportunity to grow healthy, because of Moreover, the current situation also parents (couples) do not know about one effective and deep communication which affords children the opportunity to learn another. creates a conducive environment for certain values and traditions from their The current situation therefore set the members to share their experiences with one parents' own culture(s) that will help ambience for family members to get closer to another, express their feelings openly and Fr. Agah them to build self- confidence. Owing to each other, to know and appreciate the effort work towards achieving their collective goal inactivity in family life in this area for a of one another. In addition, many parents as a unit. It affords parents to understand the long time in the past, many parents could (couples) try to play it safe by using work to language of their children better. semiotic or verbal depending on the situation that pans out in family life (Wynne, 1984, pp. not create time to teach their children cover up for certain responsibilities or Effective communication also gives certain family values and traditions problems. In such time of a pandemic, one members the ample time and desire to 305-307, Nichols. 2013, p. 55). Furthermore, one aspect that will pertaining to their own culture(s). cannot but confront issues that have been receive constructive feedbacks and concrete Thus, children mostly rely on what covered and try to find solution to those criticisms that bring about development and benefit family life in this moment of crisis is the value of love. As a result of spending they are taught in the academic setting to problems. growth not without resistance, owing to shape their future life. However, with the Besides, this period also gives children different personality that form the family. It quality time together, the family at this time may select activities that may promote love current turn of events, where parents find the opportunity to discover their parents will also help members to understand each themselves at home with their children, better. In the sense that there is ample time for other better. Besides, the means of and togetherness especially among parents as more important than all other things. many parents will get to know that the children to engage their parents in communication will have an influence on the individualism has taken the place of interaction (physically and emotionally) subsystem of the family on how to abandon Parents will be able to integrate their love for each other and in doing so they extend it to communal life in the family. Helping while parents at the same time get to know and renounce certain old and rigid way of children to know about family values and their own children better with regards to the functioning to embracing a more flexible and their children. This improves the level of happiness, harmony and positive growth in traditions, will go a long way to build self values they have acquire from homes and enhance means further going forward. -confidence and promote sensitivity those that they are bringing in from the For instance, how parents are able to the family. The expression of love can take many among family members as they learn to outside world (schools); and how those drop the mentality of sole controllers of be positive and optimistic in life values have influenced and keep influencing family actions and inactions (master -servant forms, such as nurturance and altruism, whereby parents demonstrate actions that situations. Acquiring values also help to the behaviour pattern of the children. relationship) to learning new ways of inculcate in children the value of sharing This dynamics give the family the reasoning with their children whom they make children feel that they are loved and appreciated in the family. For example, it and self -discipline. Values and traditions opportunity to know how those values can have not had closer relationship with for a also help to strengthen the religious bring about resistance owing to the fact that, could take a form of complimenting the little long time. This gives each member the beliefs in the family. they may become new and foreign to the needed advantage to understand the basic effort of children these days at home. It family and how it should be managed to bring mode of communication in the family, be it makes them feel good and affords them the the acceptable changes in the family leading opportunity to learn how to appreciate and To be cont’d next week Council 3, Court 1 Donate to Catholic Professionals Applaud HopeXchange Hospital Frontline Workers in COVID-19 Fight

ouncil Three and Court One of the Noble Order of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall in Kumasi have presented Personal Protective CEquipment and other medical consumables to the HopeXchange Hospital at Santasi-Apire, the biggest Catholic health facility in the Kumasi Archdiocese. The items included nose masks, hand gloves, tissues, hand sanitizers, rubbing alcohol and liquid soap. Presenting the items, the Noble Lady of Court One, Sister Esther Manu, said the donation was the Order’s widow’s mite to support the work of the hospital. She was supported by the Grand Knight, Bro. Justice Nkansah Frimpong. Receiving the items, the Administrator of the facility, Mr. Dominic Osei- Kofi, expressed gratitude to members of the Order for their generosity and assured them that the items would be put to good use. From Kwadwo Baffoe

*Flashback: Co-ordinators of the Various Professional Guilds with Archbishop John Bonaventure Kwofie of Accra

By Damian Avevor In a Statement to mark International Workers' Day and the Feast of Saint Joseph the he Catholic Professional Guilds Worker on May 1, 2020, the CPG said “We pray (CPG) of the Accra Archdiocese for God's continued protection as you continue Thas applauded all front-line to do your best to keep us healthy and safe.” workers especially Health Professionals *Sis. Manu being supported by Bro. Nkansah Frimpong to present the items Signed by Edward Kwame Ayem, Co- in the country for their exceptional show ordinator of the CPG, the statement appreciated to Mr. Osei-Kofi. In cassock is Rev. Fr. James Buor-Mensah, Assistant of bravery in the fight against the Supreme Chaplain of the Knights of Marshall COVID 19 virus. Continued on page 12 6 THE CATHOLIC STANDARD Electronic Edition Sunday, May 10 – Saturday, May 16, 2020 Demystifying The Myth About 666 Catholic Archbishop Finds Cure – A Possible Pain Killer To The Novel Coronavirus? t is reported that Most Rev. recovered and stated that the mixture is Amidst COVID -19 Pandemic Samuel Kleda, Archbishop of available for infected persons in the IDouala, Cameroon and an expert premises of Codas Caritas in St. Paul de in medicinal plant research with 30 Nylon at no cost. In reaffirmation, the By Fr. Dennis Kumah Asare qsr=100+60+200=360 years experience, had come up with a Archbishop stated that, “Some nurses Therefore, Nr qsr= 306+360 =666. herbal mixture which alleviated the St. Jerome affirms this when he writes who had respiratory problems because any people might have symptoms of the Coronavirus when “this 666 puzzle is based on the fact that they came in contact with COVID-19 experienced as I did over the administered to infected persons. words in Hebrew and Greek can be given patients took the product. Afterwards years, the scaring imagery The herbal medicine was M a numeric value since each letter is used they were fine. All we want is that the created by the ‘MYSTERIOUS’ originally for respiratory problems as a numeral. The sum here is probably an persons should not die… My pleasure is FIGURE and MARK ‘six hundred and especially breathing problems, and was allusion to Nerõ’ (New Jerome Biblical sixty-six’ (666)-the supposed mark of the later augmented by the Archbishop after that those who take the product are well, Commentary, pg.1009). Nero is beast mentioned in the book of further research. so I am satisfied.” considered the Antichrist and believed to Revelation (Chapter 13). Some movies In his words, Archbishop Kleda Confirming this report, Rev. Fr. represent the future Antichrist as history and books mostly portray a very stated that, “Given that I already knew Israel GodsPower ANAWEOKHAI, indicates that he murdered his own the plants according to the symptoms of MSP, a Catholic Priest in Douala stated horrifying interpretation of the text. mother, Agrippina the Younger; his first coronavirus, I have simply put together that the number of recoveries have Sadly and unfortunately enough, some wife, Octavia; and allegedly, his second these combinations, prepared them and preachers and authors even in wife Poppaea Sabina. Ancient writers significantly increased since the given to persons with the symptoms and contemporary times still remain faithful also claim that he started the great fire to administration of the herbal treatment. they were relieved.” to this rather misleading interpretation. consume Rome in A.D. 64 in order to “We continue to keep our faith strong, I was particularly moved to write this The effectiveness of the remedy rebuild the city and gain more popularity. trusting God for His mercies over this was first observed when it was article due to the alarming rate of posts on He is said to have committed suicide in pandemic. The Catholic health administered to front line staff of the social media relating to the current J u n e , A . D . 6 8 . ( c f . commission is partnering here with the Diocesan health services in Douala who COVID - 19 pandemic to 5G network and, www.livescience.com/40277-emperor- ministry of health”. thus, signalling the end times including the contracted the disease after attending to nero-facts.html) W h i l e t h e Wo r l d H e a l t h ‘666’ referenced in Revelation 13. patients infected with the virus. It must be clearly understood that Organisation (WHO), is yet to confirm This write-up does not seek to touch The Archbishop expressed his the Book of Revelation or Apocalypse this, the Ministry of Health in Yaounde on the implications of COVID-19. Neither satisfaction as health workers who had was written within a historical epoch. has testified to it. does it seek to touch on issues relating to taken the herbal mixture had fully The latest date suggested by scholars is cathareo.com 5G network and the end-time. Rather, it 95-96 AD. The content of the Book seeks to throw light on a closer, suggests that “John “was speaking to demystified, and a more comprehensive events of that time. The seven churches interpretation of the ‘666’. that were the addressees of the messages It is quite typical of Apocalyptic were real churches established by Paul in GJA Petitions Akufo-Addo to Provide Literature to make use of ‘Symbolic Asia Minor in his missionary journey. We Language’. This is aimed at achieving an are not now finding solutions to puzzles Stimulus Package for Media Houses all-encompassing vision of reality. The in the Book. It is not a new revelation book of Revelation uses the symbol of though its impact is always freshly felt. he Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has forwarded a petition to Great Beasts, Dragons, Floods, Fire among The symbols and imageries used referred others (cf. Bishop Osei Bonsu, Catholic President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for journalists to be to socio-religious historical context of considered in the disbursement of a stimulus package announced by Beliefs and Practices, pg.76). The mention the time of the author. The Council T the government last month. of several numbers also predominate the Fathers of Vatican Council II stated entire Book of Revelation also known as without doubt that, “Divine Revelation The GJA wants the government to support media houses that are struggling due to the Book of the Apocalypse. “666” is one seeks to let the whole world hear the the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. of such numbers and has gained popularity, summons to salvation, so that through Mr. Affail Monney, the GJA President, says the outfit petitioned the President probably, because of its horror-filled hearing, it may believe, through belief it because some media organisations and journalists are facing serious challenges due to the association with a supposed Human-Beast may hope, and through hope, it may impact the outbreak has had on media houses. who would conquer the world. come to love” (Dei Verbum, No.1). A true “We have crafted a proposal which has been sent to the government to consider Over the years, people have revelation must be a call to love, not a call journalists in the disbursement of the COVID-19 stimulus package,” he said. associated this number with the Pope, to fear and panic as portrayed by the Meanwhile, the disbursement of a GH¢600 million stimulus package to aid small Adolf Hitler, and Saddam Hussein. protagonists of COVID-19’s relation to businesses affected by the coronavirus will commence this month. Currently, an anonymous author who is ‘666’. As part of measures to support ailing firms, the government earmarked the funds out of a supposedly a former executive of Vodafone To my fellow Christians and the $1billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) facility for this purpose. Telecommunications Company in world at large, may we be focused on the Addressing workers on May Day, President Akufo-Addo said, “the government Newbury, England, associates the number call to genuine love. Doing this, nothing will from this month of May, roll out a soft-loan scheme up to a total of GH¢600million to with St. Corona. Permit me to candidly say would scare us; not even death. May I support micro, small and medium scale companies”. none of these is close to the truth. also humbly exhort that we also be The flexible loan will have a two-year repayment period. Following the ‘Gematria’ (an committed to personal precautionary rainbowradioonline.com alphanumeric system of assigning a hygienic discipline as recommended by numerical value to a name, word or phrase, the World Health Organization and the based on its letters), many theories have Authorities of our respective Countries. emerged over the years about the meaning We a r e , u n d o u b t e d l y, i n of the “666”. Revelation13:18 states challenging times. May we, therefore, clearly that “…it’s the number of a human hope for the renewal of the mind-sets of of being…” Most scholars, after careful people who might contribute directly or calculations, agree that the Hebrew indirectly to the current global Mrs. Florence Naami Selormey numerology suggests Emperor Nero predicament. About the end of time, even Caesar. Since the language is consonantal, the Son of Man says He does not know the vowels are omitted. If the Greek letters It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the sudden death of our the hour (Mat. 24:36; Mk.13:32). May beloved Florence Naami Selormey, which occurred peacefully on for Nero Caesar (Neron Kaisar) are we not easily accede to rumours and rd transliterated into Hebrew (nrõn qsr), the deceptions. I, further, humbly suggest Sunday, 3 May, 2020, in Accra. She was 100 years old. She was the system has the following values for the that we genuinely love one another and it mother of Dela Selormey, William Selormey and siblings. She was a above alphabet: N=50; r=200; õ (holem would be well with us. Yes, there is still member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Osu and a member of the St. vav) =6; q=100. This implies that Nr= some HOPE for the world. Theresa of the Child Jesus Society. ( 5 0 + 2 0 0 + 6 + 5 0 ) = 3 0 6 ; a n d Arrangements for a private burial will be announced later. Sunday, May 10 – Saturday, May 16, 2020 Electronic Edition THE CATHOLIC STANDARD 7 Bishop Fianu Entreats Priests to Keep Spiritual Closeness with Faithful Amidst COVID-19 Restrictions he Bishop of the Ho Diocese, Most grace but rather dispensers of it, for Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD which they should serve with humility. Thas called on Priests in the Due to the exigencies of the Diocese to maintain spiritual closeness period, the Chrism Mass was restricted with all faithful in this era of the to only the three Deans in the Diocese, Coronavirus pandemic. namely, Rev Frs. Samuel Bobodu for He said restrictions imposed on all Ho deanery, Emmanuel Pani for gatherings including church activities, as a Kpando deanery and Isaac Benuyenah, result of the global pandemic should not be for Hohoe deanery. a hindrance for pastors to commune with The Vicar General, Rev. Fr. their members spiritually through the William Horlu and the Diocesan private celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Liturgist, Rev. Fr. Benjamin Doh Gawu Delivering a homily during the stood in for the rest of the Priests to Chrism Mass celebration in Ho, Bishop renew their Priestly Vows and also Fianu entreated the Clergy to continue to witnessed the blessing of the Oils. use virtual platforms to reach out to the The ceremony was streamed flock and inspire hope in them in this live via the 'Catholic Diocese of Ho' difficult moments. Bishop Fianu blessing the oil. Facebook page and YouTube channel According to him "Our inability to as well as on a local radio stations in gather physically in our churches should not feel the closeness of the Church with them. Ho. the likeness of Christ, hence should not From Ho DEPSOCOM prevent us from enhancing the spiritual No faithful should feel abandoned by the see themselves as proprietors of God's closeness that characterise our communion Church." as a people of God." Bishop Fianu also reminded Priests to "I urge all of you to double your stay true to the calling of the Priesthood as efforts in this period to provide all possible they renew their Priestly Vows. What Does COVID-19 Still Have opportunities to our faithful so they may He noted that Priests are called to be in in Store for Africa? Archbishop Kwofie Celebrates Reported data reflect a milder regional impact compared with other parts of the world. Chrism Mass in Takoradi But serious concerns remain regarding food security and the potential for a significant death toll. COVID-19 hasn't had the same the sort of devastating impact on Africa as it has elsewhere, according to official statistics. That may not last. Experts warn that the pandemic could yet exact a much heavier death toll in the region if it overwhelms local health services. And there are fears that it may cause famine in combination with the drought and conflict already affecting much of Africa – which is home to more than half of the 135 million acutely food-insecure people in crisis in the world, according to a UN report. Some have worried that relatively weak health systems and patchy testing enabled COVID-19 to progress through Sub-Saharan Africa without fully registering in reported data. The official figures to date locate much of the Archbishop Kwofie blessing the oils. pandemic's regional burden in places like South Africa, which has reported nearly 5,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and recently deployed hundreds of he Most Rev. John Bonaventure being in normal times, only a handful of K w o f i e , C S S p , A p o s t o l i c Priests were present. Cuban doctors to help fight its impact, and Cameroon – which has reported more TAdministrator of the Sekondi- Archbishop Kwofie said, “It looks than 1,800 confirmed cases and launched nationwide testing earlier this month. Takoradi Diocese, has celebrated Chrism strange but the work of God must go on. God Two countries in the region, Lesotho and Comoros, have yet to officially report Mass at the Our Lady Star of the Sea continues to use this situation to speak to us.” any cases, much less related deaths. Cathedral during which he expressed his He prayed that the Oils blessed would Even as some anticipate worse yet to come for Africa, countries there are unity with Priests and lay faithful give Catechumens the grace to be conquerors making plans to ease coronavirus-related measures. Nigeria, the first country in suffering physical ailments in one form or of the forces of evil and darkness in our Sub-Saharan Africa to report a confirmed case of COVID-19, in late February, another society. In a homily at the April 30 Mass, he He also implored that “The Oil of the has since seen its number of reported cases grow to more than 1,500. Yet, the also expressed his unity with Priests from the Sick will be used to give life to our sick, to country has announced plans to start easing lockdown restrictions in some major Diocese assigned to duty and studying provide spiritual and physical remedy to those cities on 4 May. outside the Diocese. who suffer various forms of ailment”. Despite the pessimistic estimates for the region's future, the relatively low The Mass which is normally Most. Rev. Kwofie, who is the numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths still being reported in Africa have celebrated during the Holy Week had to be Archbishop of Accra, noted that physical raised hopes that it has been spared from the worst of the pandemic. Some even postponed in the wake of the COVID-19 suffering is a terrible experience but was not speculate that lessons learned from incidents like the 2014 Ebola outbreak have pandemic and its resulting directives issued happy that in such situations some Catholics by the government and the Church. are seen running from one church to another, helped it to weather the storm. The Mass which should have had all seeking healing for their ailments. weforum.org Priests in the Diocese participating as well as The Archbishop reminded the lay lay faithful was celebrated with only the faithful to pray that God keeps Priests faithful Deans and a few lay functionaries with social to their vocation. “We request this from you, distancing rules in full force. our lay faithful to pray for us to remain Errata The Archbishop said his prayers had faithful as Priests, to remain faithful to the Sunyani CMA Organises COVID-19 Sensitisation always been that, Priests, Religious, Parish Apostolic Office that has been entrusted to The National Christian Mothers’ Association (CMA) held the COVID-19 Pastoral Council members and societal us,” he added. Sensitisation workshop in the Konongo-Mampong, Obuasi and the Kumasi leaders across the various Parishes and The Chrism Mass was concelebrated communities would play their part for the by the seven Deans of the various deaneries in Dioceses and not in the Sunyani Diocese as published in last week’s edition of The growth of the Diocese. the Diocese; it was also streamed live on Catholic Standard. He noted that “ideally, over a hundred YouTube and Facebook. Again, the Head-Office of CMA earlier received the sensitization from the and twenty Priests together with the lay From Fr. Emmanuel Dolphyne, National Catholic Secretariat (NCS). faithful should have been in attendance to DEPSOCOM, Catholic Diocese of The error is regretted. celebrate the Mass but as a result of us not Sekondi-Takoradi 8 THE CATHOLIC STANDARD Electronic Edition Sunday, May 10 – Saturday, May 16, 2020 Advertiser’s Announcement Caritas Ghana Supports Displaced Old Fadama Residents

By Angela Ofosu Boateng beneficiaries, that the donation was a gesture of empathy towards them by the aritas Ghana, a relief and Catholic Church to put smiles on their development agency of the faces and to assure them that the Church CGhana Catholic Bishops' cares about their plight. Conference (GCBC) has disbursed a He reminded them that the total of GH¢20,000 to 160 families COVID-19 pandemic is no respecter of comprising 630 people who live along persons and advised them to adhere to the Korle Lagoon at Old Fadama, the safety measures of regular Accra. handwashing, social (physical) With support from Star Ghana distancing and the wearing of face Foundation, the amount donated, masks among others to protect ranging between GH¢100 to GH¢200, Mr. Akologo addressing the beneficiaries. themselves against the disease. depending on the size of a family, was to Yussif Alhassan Antabayim, the support the vulnerable people who were people in the community with food “triple agony” – loss of their Leader of the area of Old Fadama that recently displaced by the demolition items, saying that this was the second livelihoods as a result of the three- was affected by the demolition exercise by the Accra Metropolitan donation following the outbreak of the week lockdown, demolition of their exercise, said that with the demolition Assembly to pave way for the dredging pandemic in Ghana. structures and the purported of their houses, it has made it even more of the Lagoon. He sympathized with the molestation by some security difficult for them to observe the social Making the presentation to the beneficiaries on what he described as personnel prior to the demolition. distancing directive since they are beneficiaries, mainly head porters and forced to move to friends Okada riders, Mr. Samuel Zan Akologo, and families in their Executive Secretary of Caritas Ghana, a l r e a d y c o n g e s t e d said the gesture was part of a structures. comprehensive plan by the GCBC to H e e x p r e s s e d respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. gratitude to the Catholic He explained that the plan is Church, Caritas Ghana geared towards addressing the a n d S T A R G h a n a psychological and emotional needs of Foundation for the kind the people, providing basic needs to the gesture, noting that most vulnerable and those who are suffering of them are Muslims. He as a result of the pandemic as well as also appealed for more providing true and accurate information support to enable them about the disease and the Ghana Health stay well and safe during Service and World Health Organisation t h i s p e r i o d o f t h e directives on the pandemic. Some female headporters who received support. pandemic.

Most of these beneficiaries had suffered the loss of shelter and livelihood from a fire outbreak at the slum settlement earlier. H e e n c o u r a g e d t h e beneficiaries, majority of whom are from Northern Ghana to consider returning to their families in the North since life in Accra was no longer conducive for them and assured them of Caritas' support to resettle them and assist them with alternative livelihood and skill training. Rev. Fr. George Mensah, the Director of Caritas Accra Fr. George Mensah (left) speaking to the beneficiaries. A r c h d i o c e s e t o l d t h e

He added that the plan also includes advocacy to ensure that government delivers on its Social Protection and Relief measures promised to the people and also provide Personal Protective Equipment to the many Catholic hospitals which mainly serve deprived communities to respond to the health needs of the poor. The beneficiaries Mr. Akologo noted that the A section of the beneficiaries. receiving their donations. Church had already supported Sunday, May 10 – Saturday, May 16, 2020 Electronic Edition THE CATHOLIC STANDARD 9 Welcome Address By the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) President Affail Monney at Flag-raising to Commemorate World Press Freedom Day 2020 at the Ghana International Press Centre, Accra on Monday, May 4, 2020

n behalf of the national t h e U N E S C O G e n e r a l S a f e t y o f Mr Chairman, I cannot executive of the GJA, Conference, concerning the Journalists which conclude my welcome address Oindeed all Ghanaian Windhoek Declaration. This was h a s b e e n without commending, most journalists, other media a statement of press freedom incubating since highly, the indispensable role the professionals, and lovers of principles put together by African last year. media are playing in the fight press freedom, I welcome you newspaper journalists in 1991 at a Even at the a g a i n s t t h e C O V I D – 1 9 t o t h i s f l a g - r a i s i n g i n UNESCO seminar held in the 3 0 t h p o s i t i o n , pandemic. In an increasingly commemoration of Press Namibian capital from April 29 to G h a n a ' s m e d i a complex media landscape ignited Freedom Day, 2020 which has May 3, 1991. It, among other system is well at the by citizens right to the use of as its theme: “Journalism things, asserted that “a free press optimistic end of social media, the importance of without Fear or Favour”. It has is essential to democracy and t h e s p e c t r u m - the traditional media and the need three sub-themes which are fundamental human rights.” a d j u d g e d a s for an all absorbing attention to “Safety of Women and Men The GJA made Ghana satisfactory by reliable and accuracy become J o u r n a l i s t s a n d M e d i a proud for being one of the first global benchmark more paramount. Workers”, “Independence and countries in Africa and indeed the and outranking As the virus rages, we Professional Journalism Free w o r l d , t o s t a r t t h e p a r a g o n s o f couldn't but agree more with UN from Political and Commercial commemoration of the day. The Dr. Affail Monney journalism like US, Secretary General Antonio Influence' and “Gender GJA in 1994 with sponsorship by UK and France. Guterres that “the second Equality in All Aspects of the Fredrich Ebert Foundation (FES) left out the area of sports which we This, however, should not give pandemic of misinformation Media”. held its first event. It has since, hope would be done sometime room for any narcotic feeling of from harmful health advice to Before I proceed, may we continued religiously, the later by SWAG in collaboration complacency. Rather, we must wild conspiracy theories” that in all humility, rise up and celebration of the day with with the GJA. take all steps and move all out to have unfortunately accompanied observe a minute silence in support from UNESCO, FES or From the Honours List, we salvage our achievements in the global fight against the virus honour of four of our departed Accra Brewery Limited. Our zoom in on the global league table media freedom and functional can only be waged effectively by colleagues, C .S. Buabeng of consistency must be a great of free media systems to examine democracy. the media with “verified, Graphic and NMC fame, Johnnie h o n o u r t o t h e G h a n a i a n quickly the causal factors of M r. C h a i r m a n , t h e scientific , fact-based news and Aryeetey, former Acting Director participants who attended that Ghana's decline- 23rd in 2018, theme: Journalism Without analysis'. of GTV, Edward Kwabi, Head of historic seminar in Windhoek in 27th in 2019 and 30th in 2020. The Fear or Favour reinforces the While we all feel the the Political Desk of TV3 and 1991. They are former GJA common thread which runs point that journalism is not a devastating impact of the Dzifa Akator , Secretary at the President Ajoa Yeboah -Afari, through our backsliding is profession for timid, timorous pandemic, UNESCO offers a Press Centre. May their souls Professor P. A. V. Ansah, and impunity. Impunity, if not checked, souls but one for brave and glimmer of hope to the media. It Rest In Peace. Nyankomah of Radio Ghana, ignites a self-propelling and re- uncompromising characters. says the unprecedented health M r . C h a i r m a n , both of blessed memory. energizing cycle which then This tough, indomitable streak crisis has the potential to rebuild d i s t i n g u i s h e d l a d i e s a n d It is needless to emphasize becomes hellishly difficult to enables some leading journalists trust in the profession. The GJA gentlemen, as you are aware, this that World Press Freedom Day is uproot. A pesky call, therefore, to talk true to power, expose acts intends to capitalize on this to special day set aside for the to celebrate all those who have goes to the authorities to deal of corruption and hold the strategize with its constituents celebration of press freedom- the made significant contributions to surgically with the calcifying powerful to account. The GJA and partners on how best to day the GJA regards as “the day the development of press freedom cancer of impunity by prosecuting specially salutes such special recalibrate and reinvigorate the for the mother of all freedoms”, and to remember those who have and punishing, to the fullest extent stalwarts on this special Day. In post COVID-19 media system in fell yesterday, Sunday, 3rd May, suffered injuries or lost their lives within the law, perpetrators of the same vein, we take umbrage Ghana. which was a non-working day for in the line of duty as media attacks against journalists over the breezy disregard for Mr. Chairman, Deputy many of us. As a result, we have professionals, or in defense of regardless of their material wealth, ethical values by certain media M i n i s t e r o f I n f o r m a t i o n , had to commemorate it a day press freedom. social status or political links. This men and women who are U N E S C O C o u n t r y later and under strict COVID -19 This is what motivated the is the least action expected in a consumed with incontinent ego Representative, distinguished safety protocols. GJA to compile an Honours List country touted for its fidelity to the and surfeited with prideful ladies and gentlemen. Thank you 3rd May was designated during the celebration of its 70th rule of law and not the rule of men. arrogance. Press freedom is a for coming to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day by the anniversary last year. It was a The GJA further urges the liberty and not a license - liberty day with us. U n i t e d N a t i o n s G e n e r a l herculean task, considering the government to give birth, with to perform and not license to May the Lord continue to Assembly in December 1993, fact that it had to cover a period of urgent promptitude, to the destroy. The offenders must take be our refuge and strength, an following a recommendation by seventy years. We deliberately Monitoring Mechanism on the note and repent. ever present help in trouble.

Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, Dansoman Dansoman Marshallans Support Priests Last Stop and Rev. Fr. Anthony Oppong of the Martyrs of Uganda Parish, Mamprobi. he Dansoman branch of the Each Parish received two bags of rice, Knights and Ladies of Marshall oil, eggs, milo, milk, Nescafe, packets of tea Th a s d o n a t e d f o o d i t e m s , bags, sugar, sardines, tomato paste, bottled beverages and cash to four Parishes water as well as Cheque for GHc1,000. within its catchment area to show love to The Priests thanked the Marshallans the Priests in the wake of the coronavirus for the gesture and prayed that the (COVID-19) pandemic. coronavirus would soon over for Mass and The beneficiary Parishes and Priests other church activities to resume. were Rev. Fr. Francis Mastan and his The Grand Knight of Council 71, assistant, Rev. Fr. Bernard Appiah of St. Albert Amoako-Farkye and the Noble Lady Margaret Mary Parrish, Dansoman SSNIT of Court 63, Victoria Anafure led an eight- Flats; Rev. Fr. Wisdom Dordunu and his member delegation to present the items to the Associate Priest, Rev. Fr. Donatus Pallu of parishes on behalf of members of the Noble St. John the Baptist Parish, Odorkor- Order. Tipper; Rev. Fr. Thomas Batuyre and his From Augustine Cobba-Biney and assistant, Rev. Fr. Sylvanus Segbawu of Gloria Adu *The Marshallans with the Items 10 THE CATHOLIC STANDARD Electronic Edition Sunday, May 10 – Saturday, May 16, 2020 WHO Cautions Against Unproven Traditional Medicine for COVID-19 Cure

he World Health Organisation “innovations around the world including (WHO) has cautioned against repurposing drugs, traditional medicines Tthe use of traditional medicine and developing new therapies in the search that has not been scientifically proven for potential treatments for COVID-19”. In 2000, during the 5th Session of to cure COVID-19. The delegation with Bishop Gyamfi. Most of the claims were being the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, made on social media, it said. However, the continent's ministers of health adopted the Malagasy Institute of Applied a resolution calling for evidence on the Research and branded COVID Organics, “safety, efficacy and quality of traditional Sunyani Region recently launched, amid much fanfare, medicine”. what it said was a remedy for the The health ministers also agreed to Marshallans coronavirus. undertake relevant research and for It contains Artemisia, a plant national regulatory agencies to approve Support Diocese cultivated locally to combat malaria. medicines in line with international But the WHO warned in a statement on standards. These include following a strict Monday: “As efforts are under way to find research protocol and rigid tests and he Sunyani Regional *Bro. Akrowiah presenting treatment for COVID-19, caution must be clinical trials. Grand Knight Worthy the envelope to Bishop Gyamfi while taken against misinformation, especially The studies normally involve TBro. Justice Akrowiah Sister Pauline Sabuli looks on. on social media, about the effectiveness hundreds of people being monitored by and Respected Lady Sister of certain remedies. national regulatory authorities over a long Pauline Sabuli recently led a support the activities of Parishes “Many plants and substances are period. delegation of the Knights and and the Diocese as a whole during being proposed without the minimum The UN agency said that over the Ladies of Marshall, Sunyani this challenging period. requirements and evidence of quality, last 20 years it had been working with Region to visit the Bishop of the Bishop Gyamfi thanked them safety, and efficacy. countries to “ensure safe and effective Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew for their support and encouraged “The use of products to treat traditional medicine development in Kwasi Gyamfi at his residence at the Marshallans to see the effects of Africa by providing financial resources COVID-19, which have not been robustly Abesim a suburb of Sunyani to the pandemic as a means through investigated can put people in danger, and technical support”. discuss modalities by which the It had backed clinical trials, which which they can build the domestic giving a false sense of security…and may Society could help reach-out to Church to be a strong faith within also increase self-medication and the risk had led to 14 countries issuing marketing authorisation for 89 traditional medicine the faithful of the Diocese the family. to patient safety.” especially the needy and the Other members of the The UN agency said that it products that had met international and vulnerable amidst the COVID- delegation were: Sir Kt. Sir John recognised the “long history” of national requirements for registration. Of 19 pandemic. traditional medicine in Africa and its “role these, 43 had been included in national Osei Owusu, Most Respected Lady in providing care to populations”. essential medicines lists. The delegation on behalf of Sis. Dr. Lucy Acheampong, Worthy “Medicinal plants such as “These products are now part of the the Sunyani Regional Council and Bro. Eric Amponsah and Respected Artemisia annua are being considered as arsenal to treat patients with a wide range Court donated an undisclosed Lady Sis. Leticia Agyeiwaa. possible treatments for COVID-19 and o f d i s e a s e s i n c l u d i n g m a l a r i a , amount of money to the Bishop to From Emmanuel Taa- should be tested for efficacy and adverse opportunistic infections related to HIV, Amoako side effects,” the WHO noted. diabetes, sickle cell disease, and “Africans deserve to use medicines hypertension. tested to the same standards as people in “Almost all countries in the WHO the rest of the world. African region have national traditional “Even if therapies are derived from medicine policies, following support from traditional practice and natural, WHO,” the agency said. establishing their efficacy and safety GNA through rigorous clinical trials is critical.” The WHO said it welcomed NABODPA Donates To Fight COVID-19

h e N a v r o n g o - A l f r e d A g y e n t a a t t h e Priests for their efforts and B o l g a t a n g a Bishop's Secretariat on behalf assured them that the TDiocesan Priests of the Priests, the President of equipment would reach Association (NABODPA) the Association, Rev. Fr. not only the health workers has donated Personal James Achaa Aganiba, stated but also pastors who are Protective Equipment that the gesture was in also front-liners. The items donated. (PPE) to the Diocesan response to the call by the Bishop Agyenta Health Directorate in Ghana Catholic Bishops' called on the government He explained that if Bolgatanga. Conference on the Catholic to enforce the laws, the people are allowed to flout with The items including faithful and all people of good orders, and protocols impunity, the directives and laid hand sanitizers, hand will to join hands in fighting without fear or favour to down protocols, we would be g l o v e s , n o s e m a s k s , the Coronavirus. ensure the safety of all fighting a lost battle. disposable aprons and shoe According to him, the Ghanaians. He particularly On his part, the Diocesan covers were for distribution Priests hope that the PPE will urged the political and Health Director, Mr. Bismark to Diocesan health facilities help inject more courage and civil authorities in the Akasoe, received the donation to help protect the frontline confidence in the health Upper East Region and with gratitude and assured the health workers against workers to keep pushing hard Bishop Agyenta receiving the items part of the North East priests that the items would be COVID-19. in the good fight without fear from Fr. Aganiba Region to strictly enforce used for the intended purpose. Presenting the items or intimidation by the virus. the directives of the He said that the ten health Ghana Health Service to fight the pandemic in t o t h e B i s h o p o f t h e B i s h o p A g y e n t a facilities of the Diocesan Health various ways. Diocese, the Most Rev. expressed gratitude to the President and that of the Health Authorities. Service is collaborating with the From Rev. Fr. Albert B. Wugaa Sunday, May 10 – Saturday, May 16, 2020 Electronic Edition THE CATHOLIC STANDARD 11 save every life from the pandemic. The COVID-19: Can Africa challenge is how. Africa faces two unsavoury options: the conventional The Rosary of Mary and the Afford Lockdowns? template, including lockdowns versus heterodox (creative local) approaches Other Side of Corona: without lockdowns. Both have risks and By Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR potential benefits. Sadly, people will still A Theological Reflection get the disease and die under both h i s p i e c e s u m m a r i z e s m y approaches. People will differ on the Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Abbey-Quaye contribution to an African debate. choice, depending on what is on their Duquesne University, TFrom Johannesburg to Lagos, Cairo decision matrix: data, resources, Pittsburgh, Pa. to Dakar, Kinshasa to Kigali, Nairobi to subjective preferences, and interests, etc. I Accra, etc the debate on how Africa should focus on which option (on a net basis) is atholic Christians all over the respond to the global coronavirus (Covid- achievable in the short to medium term, world are encouraged to pray 19) pandemic is raging. At an African consistent with our social and economic Cthe Holy Rosary of the Blessed regional policy platform, I had expressed realities. Virgin Mary every day throughout the some of these (personal) views some weeks Our thesis is that lockdowns in year, but particularly during the ago but have been encouraged by most Africa suffer time-inconsistency problem months of May and October which are members to circulate them in Africa beyond without a credible exit strategy; is specially dedicated to Mary and the the platform. unaffordable and could potentially worsen This year 2020 begins a new decade that t h e t w i n p a n d e m i c — h e a l t h a n d praying of the Rosary. promises to be one of dreadful disruptions, economic—in Africa. We call for Africa to The designation of May as month with Africa holding the weakest end of the press the reset button now, mainstream its of Mary and of the Rosary dates from the stick. In 2008/09, the global “great recession” collective, simple, smart learning-by- late fifth century, where three annual was triggered by financial crisis in the US doing solutions that could, in the end, be Marian feasts are noted, including one on (world's largest economy). Then, much of the African solutions for export to the “the 15th day of Iyar, corresponding Africa was said to be decoupled from the crisis world. Covid-19 won't be the end of more or less to today’s month of May. Fr. Abbey-Quaye and muddled through without severe techno-economic disruptions or health Later in the seventeenth century, there devastation of its economies. This year, a pandemics even in this decade: this is an was the adoption of the custom of the greeting of Elizabeth to Mary, global health pandemic that has paused the opportunity to think without the box—to consecrating the month of May to the blessed are you among women, and global economy and certain to rail-road it into engender greater self-confidence in our Blessed Virgin by special observances. synchronized recession (if not depression) was capacity to think through our problems, blessed is the fruit of your womb (Jesus) On May 13, 1917, May as a Marian triggered by the second largest economy, with authentic sustainable solutions. (Lk. 1:41-42), as well as the Church’s month was further affirmed by Mary’s China. Unlike before, multilateralism and Let me illustrate why I believe that teaching of Mary as Mother of God global coordination framework are at their a strategy that includes lockdowns/border first apparitions at Fatima, Portugal, (Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us weakest. National (local) self-defence is the closure is the worse of the two options during which she identified herself as sinners, now and the hour of our death). rule. As before, the rich world with its generous given our social and economic realities. Our Lady of the Rosary. Pope Pius XII Thus, the Rosary as we have it today, is a welfare system and huge financial war chest, is (Recall that China isolated Wuhan, and solidified May as a particularly Marian Marian prayer based on the repetition of taking care of itself (the US alone has US$2.2 kept Shanghai, Beijing, and other major month when in 1945, he instituted the “Hail Mary,” following the greetings of trillion stimulus package). Africa is left to its economic engines open, and today, China Feast of the Queenship of Mary to be the angel Gabriel and Elizabeth to Mary fate. supplies the world with medical celebrated on May 31 as part of the (Lk. 1:37-46) and the teachings of the Covid-19 caught the world totally equipment, face masks, etc and raking-in Marian Year he proclaimed that year. Church about Mary. Overall, the Rosary is a series of meditations built around the unprepared, and with no proven and available hundreds of billions of dollars). The idea Currently, May 31 is celebrated as the birth, life, ministry, death, and medical response. Ad-hoc cocktails and of a lockdown (and border closure) Feast of the Visitation of Mary while the learning-by-doing constitute the strategic resurrection of Jesus, as well as Marian implies that you will continue to do so Queenship of Mary has been moved to package. In most western countries, the (with extensions) until such a time that you teachings given by the Church. Mary’s August 22. cocktail of response has included a coterie of are satisfied that the spread of Covid-19 own endorsement of the praying of the defensive measures including: border closure; has been arrested or on the decline (with As regards the month of October, Rosary comes to us from her use of the prepare isolation centres and mobilize medical the possibility of imposing another round the Church chose that month to honour Rosary in numerous apparitions across personnel/facilities; implement “stay at home” of lockdown if new infections surge). That Our Lady of the Rosary because of the the globe over the years. orders or lockdowns except for food, medicine is the catch: lockdown for as long as great victory that took place on October Historically, the roots of the and essential services; campaign for basic required to stem the spread. The length of 7, 1571. On that fateful day which was the Rosary lie in an ancient daily prayer hygiene and social distancing; arrange welfare time required for such lockdowns to first Sunday of the month of October of devotion of reciting the Our Father 150 packages for the vulnerable; and also ensure “effectiveness” in arresting the that year, Christian forces won a decisive times in imitation of the 150 Psalms. economic stimulus packages to mitigate the spread would make it near impossible in battle against the Turkish Muslims at Here, the praying of the mysteries of the Rosary was understood by the laity to effects on the macro economy. much of Africa. If the strategy is to Lepanto in the Gulf of Corinth, and the Many African countries have largely l o c k d o w n u n t i l i n f e c t i o n s correspond to the praying of the 150 victory was attributed to the intercession Psalms in the Bible. Later, the praying of copied the above template, to varying degrees. stop/significantly decline or so, then we of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Roman Piece-meal extensions of “stay at home” or the Psalms was changed to the praying of would have a suicidal indefinite waiting confraternities had in fact been praying lockdown orders as in many western countries game. Hail Marys that was recited 150 times by the Rosary in the Basilica of Santa Maria have also been copied in Africa. But the First, monitoring the spread a largely uneducated Christians of the question is: can Africa really afford requires effective testing, and Africa and in street processions before and Middle Ages using strings of beads to during the battle of Lepanto. After the keep the count. lockdowns, and can they be effective? Put cannot afford effective testing of its 1.3 th differently, given the social and economic billion people. New York State, with a great victory in that war, Pope Pius V Beginning from the 13 century, circumstances of Africa and the impending population of 20 million and a budget of declared October 7 as the Feast of Our the Rosary was thought to be a simplified 'economic pandemic', can Africa successfully $175 billion, is pleading with the US Lady of Victory. The name of this feast version of the Dominican rosary. Many and sustainably defeat Covid-19 by copying Federal Government to assist with testing was subsequently changed to the feast to believed that the Rosary was given in a revelation or vision by the Blessed Virgin the conventional trial-and-error template of the kits and facilities. Check out the number of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (Richard P. Mary to St. Dominic Guzman, the western nations? In confusion and desperation, testing centres and facilities in each McBrien, Lives of the Saints, 412). Thus, the world seemed to be throwing any and African country relative to their founder of the Dominicans (also called in today’s Catholic devotional practice, Order of Preachers) in the 13th century. everything at the pandemic. Recall President populations. A joke in the social media the months of May and October hold a Trump's assertion that hydroxychloroquine narrated that the health minister of This Carthusian monk from Prussia was pride of place for the praying of the said to have introduced the practice of “might help”? The evidence so far (from Burundi was asked to explain the miracle Rosary and for devotions to the Blessed meditating on the different Mysteries limited sample) is that it probably actually in his country whereby the number of Virgin Mary even though all Catholics during the recital of the Rosary. worsens the disease. The trial and error have infections was reported as zero. His Historical evidence, however, shows no left huge human toll and economic ruins, and response was: “it is simple: we don't have are encouraged to pray the Rosary every proof that St. Dominic originated the there is still no solution. any testing kits”. Besides, there is stigma day of the year. Rosary, but rather indicate that Let us be clear: no one can blame associated with the infection, and on the The Holy Rosary: Etymological Dominican friars propagated the spread African policymakers for the initial panicky average Africans only go to the hospital as and Further Historical Developments of the devotion to the Rosary. In copy and paste response some weeks ago. No t h e l a s t r e s o r t . T h e r e a r e a l s o The name rosary which comes particular, devotion to the Rosary prayer public officer wanted to be blamed for doing asymptomatic cases, and only the from the Latin word, rosarium, simply was popularized by Alan de Roche nothing or not doing what others were doing. means a rose garden, a bed of roses or a critically ill ones will report. So, there will (1425-1475) and his confreres in Trier, After these initial pilot schemes, it is now time garland of flowers. The words of the always be massive under-testing, and France, from where it spread to the rest of to ask the deep question: Is this the right Rosary prayer are taken from the greeting gross under reporting. Europe. approach for Africa? of the angel Gabriel to Mary, Hail, full of A l l l i v e s m a t t e r a n d A f r i c a n grace, the Lord is with you (Lk. 1:28) and To be cont’d next week governments must do everything to protect or To be cont’d next week 12 THE CATHOLIC STANDARD Electronic Edition Sunday, May 10 – Saturday, May 16, 2020 he 13th District and Four Catholic Health Facilities Ladies District 2 of KSJI Supports Diocesan Receive PPE, Medical Supplies Tthe Knights of St. John International and Retirement Home Project from Caritas Accra Ladies Auxiliary made up of Commanderies and delegation to the Bishop's Other members of the he Catholic Archdiocese of Accra and its Caritas Auxiliaries in the Tamale residence said the donation delegation were the District Office have presented Personal Protective Archdiocese and Damongo was in response to an appeal Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Carolus TEquipment and medical supplies to four Catholic D i o c e s e p r e s e n t e d made by the Bishop to the Magnus Gambogi; a Past Health Facilities in the Metropolitan Archdiocese to support GH¢6,000 to the Most Rev. O r d e r t o s u p p o r t t h e District Commander, Sir the fight against COVID-19. Vincent Boi-Nai, SVD, completion of the project Joseph Charles Osei; the The facilities are St. Andrew Catholic Hospital, Kordiabe, Bishop of Yendi for the which had come to a standstill Adjutant, Mr. Elias Dery; the Battor Catholic Hospital, Battor, St. John of God Hospital, roofing of a retirement due to lack of funds. Ladies District 2 President, Amrahia and the Immaculate Heart Clinic, Koluedor. st home for Bishop(s) in the B i s h o p B o i - N a i Sister Faustina Dery, 1 Vice The items included 60 boxes of surgical masks, 200 pieces Yendi Diocese. District 2 President, Sister of face masks, 55 boxes of hand gloves, 120 gallons of hand expressed gratitude to the Vivian Ayamba, and the sanitizers, 60 gallons of liquid soap, 60 gallons of disinfectant, M a k i n g t h e members of the Order for the presentation, Mr. Joseph gesture and lauded them for District 2 Secretary, Sister 60 gallons of bleach, six pieces of veronica buckets, six pieces of th receptacles and 300 packs of tissues. Bapule, the 13 District always responding positively Christiana Amalba. The Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, Metropolitan Commander, who led a to his appeals. From Elias Dery Archbishop of Accra, who presented the items, admonished the facilities to make good use of the items during this difficult period of the coronavirus pandemic. The Archbishop appreciated the generosity of the many individuals and groups who keep donating to support the relief and charity interventions of the Church through the Archdiocesan Caritas Office and the National Catholic Secretariat, Accra Mr. Simeon Kwaku Amuzu, the Chief Executive Officer of the Battor Catholic Hospital, one of the recipient health facilities on behalf of the others, expressed gratitude to Caritas Accra office and all the partners for the generous intervention during these difficult times. He, however, assured the Archbishop that, the items would be used for the purpose for which they have been given. Present at the ceremony at the residence of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra were Sr. Vivi Nedumattathil, Head of the St. Andrew Catholic Hospital; and Rev. Fr. Raphael Atta- Donkor, Parish Priest of St. Mary Catholic Church Koluedor and in-charge of the Immaculate Heart Clinic, Koluedor. The others were Very Rev. Fr. Neumann Tetteyfio, the *Sis. Faustina Dery, and Mr. Bapule presenting the cheque Bishop Boi-Nai. Archdiocesan Financial Administrator; Rev. Fr. George Ekow Mensah, Director of CARITAS ACCRA, and Rev. Fr. Anthony Agnes Adu-Mensah, Secretary to the Archbishop of Accra. ghanaweb.com Catholic Professionals Applaud Frontline Workers in COVID-19 Fight

Continued from page 5 human masters,” the CPG been taken to create jobs for implored workers to continue to the role of workers in our world Ghanaians and, or, create the strive to live out their faith and called on all workers to renew enabling environment for wherever they found ourselves by their commitment to ensuring that Ghanaians to create jobs and putting God and Country first. there is dignity in work. wealth for themselves. In a homily at a Mass to mark “The Catholic Professional Speaking at the May Day the feast of St. Joseph, televised on Guilds celebrates all workers celebration in the studios of the Crystal TV, Rev. Fr. Dennis especially Catholic Professional in GBC on Friday, May 1, 2020, Opoku, Chaplain of the CPG, every sphere of our National President Akufo-Addo said: “Job urged employers to appreciate the endeavour for their hard work and creation is one of the top most efforts of their employees, relentless efforts at building our priority of this government,” advising that “don't look down on Nation,” the Statement added. adding that it is a social contract your workers because every one It called on public and private with the people hence bold steps of them is important for the employers to create better working have been taken to that effect. growth of the organisation.” conditions that empower workers He applauded workers for In 1955, Pope Pius XII to give off their best as well as their contributions towards established May 1 as the Feast of respect the dignity of workers. nation-building, saying that “We St. Joseph the Worker in order to Sr. Nedumattathil receiving the items “We also encourage all recognise and appreciate the reflect Joseph's status as a model from Archbishop Kwofie workers, especially Catholic efforts and sacrifices you have for and patron of workers. The workers, to continuously apply made towards the construction of Church highlights, especially, their professional ethics and faith the happy and prosperous Ghana Joseph's patience, persistence, values in their work. Work as unto we seek.” courage, and hard work. Commercial Printing the Lord not as unto men,” the T h i s y e a r ' s M a y D a y Meanwhile addressing the statement noted. celebration was marked at the Contact the Standard Newspapers and Call: nation on May Day, President 030-242-4725 Dilating on Colossians 3:23, GBC studios with a limited Advertise in Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Magazines Limited for quality printing of which states that “Whatever you n u m b e r o f p e r s o n s f r o m Email: has said that job creation is a your books, calendars, brochures, invitation [email protected] / do, work at it with all your heart, as organised labour as a result of the priority of his government. He cards, leaflets, invoices, office files, etc. [email protected] working for the Lord, not for coronavirus pandemic. stated that several measures had Sunday, May 10 – Saturday, May 16, 2020 Electronic Edition THE CATHOLIC STANDARD 13

Reflection on Fifth Sunday of Easter God's Word Readings: Acts 6:1-7; 1 Pt 2:4-9; Jn 14:1-12 By Rev. Fr. Samuel Christopher Vodzogbe Liturgy of the Word in however, reminds us of our human frailty which the mighty deeds of that can undo Christ's promise, one of God are proclaimed and in t h e m b e i n g d i s s e n s i o n a n d t h e L i t u r g y o f t h e d i s c r i m i n a t i o n . A s i m m e r i n g Eucharist, in which we controversy reared its ugly head when the widows of Greek origin complained e continue in rejoicing in offer the spiritual sacrifice in of being discriminated against. The o u r n e w i d e n t i t y a s thanksgiving to God. Apostles solved the problem through Wc h r i s t i a n s u n d e r t h e As members of this priestly deliberation and collective decision that guardianship of the Risen Christ, our nation, we are members of God's preserved the unity of the Church. Lord and Saviour. household and Jesus assures us of a The challenge the Apostles faced Through the sacrament of baptism place in the Father's house: In my is still with us today. How do we resolve we have obtained forgiveness of our Father's house there are many our conflicts so that everyone feels at sins, and adopted as children of God, dwelling places. If it were not so, home in the Church? Tensions are bound who constituted us into a priestly people. would I have told you that I go to Fr. Vodzogbe to exist within the Church: between In the words of Peter, we are a chosen prepare a place for you? And if I go individuals, between societies in the and prepare a place for you, I will race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, In the light of this, Peter, in the parish. Acts of discrimination based on come again and will take you to with the two fold duty of offering epistle admonishes us to work towards ethnic, societal or doctrinal differences myself, so that where I am, there you spiritual sacrifices to God and the realization of that 'house' by will continue to exist. may be also. proclaiming His mighty deeds. We offer strengthening the bond of unity that the The Apostolic Church has given The House Jesus is referring to the spiritual sacrifice of prayer of praise sacrament of baptism has forged in us. us a guide as to how to solve such can be understood in two ways: The and thanksgiving when we gather to This bond is further strengthened by our problems by having the recourse to the future House into which He will come celebrate the liturgy, most especially, participation in the Holy Eucharist, the leadership. Leaders of today are also and take at His second coming. The when we offer the Eucharistic sacrifice. sacrament of love and unity with one expected to be just arbiters when issues House is also the Church, the We proclaim the mighty deeds of another in Christ. are brought to them for resolution. By so community of believers, namely the the Lord through evangelizing activities, We see in the first reading how doing, we will authenticate the words of House of God here and now, and also when we give testimony of what the community of believers expanded to the Eucharistic Prayer in which we pray symbolically represented by the God has been doing in our individual include those of Greek background, all that our participation in the Body and Church building where the priestly lives. The two-fold mission is embodied of whom found a place in the Father's Blood of Christ bind us in to one body, people gather to worship. in the celebration of the Mass: in the house, the Church. The reading one spirit in Christ.

on God and listen to him speak to The History and Mystery of the Holy Rosary our hearts. This is what we call Meditation and meditation is the whole purpose and function of the Marie Antoinette rosary. It is a prayer and Wepea Kosiba And Why Catholics Pray The Rosary meditation on the entire life of Jesus and his church. he Holy Rosary is one of recited and linked with verses of In 1571, Pope Pius V Obviously from the history t h e m o s t p o w e r f u l psalms or other phrases evoking organised a fleet under the we can recount, the Rosary as Tprayers of the Catholic the lives of Jesus and Mary. During command of Don Juan of Austria, such, with the present form and Church. Most people wonder this time, this prayer form became the half-brother of King Philip II of structure we use, is not found why the Roman Catholics pray known as the "Rosarium" ("rose Spain. While preparations were anywhere in Sacred Scripture. the Holy Rosary, and what is the garden"). This is a common term underway, the Holy Father asked However, we know it is much meaning behind the Holy which designates a collection of all of the faithful to say the rosary scriptural. It is a combination of Rosary. The Roman Catholic similar material, such as a and implore our Blessed Mother's various Scriptural passages for Church prays the Holy Rosary the 150 psalms until in 2002, when collection of stories on the same prayers, under the title Our Lady of prayer and meditation. The throughout the year but the Pope St. John Paul II included the subject or theme. During the 16th Victory, that our Lord would grant mysteries we meditate on are months allocated to its prayer L u m i n o u s M y s t e r i e s . T h e century, the structure of the five- victory to the Christians. Although taken from Scripture, particularly are May and October. monastic practice of daily decade rosary based on the three the Moslem fleet outnumbered that the Gospels. The meditation takes The origins of the rosary recitation of and meditation on the sets of mysteries prevailed. These of the Christians in both vessels us through Christ's birth, (Joyful are "sketchy" at best. The use of Psalms known as the Divine three were the Joyful, Sorrowful and sailors, the forces were ready Mystery) ministry (Mystery of "prayer beads" and the repeated Office was devotion that the laity and Glorious Mysteries. The to meet in battle. The Christian Light), death (sorrowful Mystery) recitation of prayers to aid in wanted to be able to use for Luminous Mysteries are a recent flagship flew a blue banner and resurrection (Glorious meditation stem from the earliest themselves. Illiteracy however, addition as I stated earlier. depicting Christ crucified. On Mystery). days of the Church and has roots was a great stumbling block for the Tradition does hold that St. October 7, 1571, the Moslems The rosary is basically the in even pre-Christian times. This common people of the time. They Dominic (d. 1221) devised the were defeated at the Battle of praying of the Lord's Prayer which is clear that the Holy Rosary as a could not therefore master the rosary as we know it. Moved by a Lepanto. The following year, Pope was taught by Jesus Christ form of meditative prayer is Psalter. Later, the practice of using vision of our Blessed Mother, he St. Pius V established the Feast of himself. It can be found in the nothing new under the sun, as the 150 Hail Marys arose and preached the use of the rosary in his the Holy Rosary on October 7, Gospels of Matthew (6:9-13) and Preacher says in “Ecc 1:9.” The gradually the insertion of the Our missionary work among a group of where the faithful would not only Luke (11:2-4). The Hail Mary also devotion of the rosary weaves Father before and the Glory be people who had denied the mystery remember this victory, but also is scriptural (cf. Lk 1:26-33). To together prayer and meditation, after each decade of the Hail Mary of Christ. give thanks to the Lord for all of this Angelic salutation in Luke's and its origins actually reach back became the norm. Evidence also The rosary gained greater His benefits and remember the gospel, a small prayer, the 'Holy to the Desert Fathers – the ancient exists from the Middle Ages that popularity in the 1500s, when powerful intercession of our Mary…' was added by the Church. monastic orders of the early 4th strings of beads were used to count Moslem Turks were ravaging Blessed Mother. In this part of the prayer, we fully century. The formation of the Our Fathers and Hail Marys. Eastern Europe. History has it that We can say that the rosary is acknowledge who Jesus is: that he rosary took place in the Abbeys of Actually, these strings of beads in 1453, Constantinople, a great a common devotion of the Laity is truly fully God (cf. Jn 1: In the the 9th century Ireland. Its became known as "Paternosters," Christian stronghold, had fallen to because it was born out of their beginning was the word…and the foundation lies in the 150 Psalms the Latin for "Our Father." the Moslems, leaving the Balkans desire to experience God more word was God). The only mother of David from the Hebrew The structure of the rosary and Hungary open to conquest. intimately. The praying of the of the word-made-God was Mary; Scripture. Thus, the complete gradually evolved between the With Moslems raiding even the rosary helps the ordinary person hence she is called mother of God. rosary consisted of 150 beads, 1 2 t h a n d 1 5 t h c e n t u r i e s . coast of Italy, the control of the not merely to talk to God, but to Isn't this scriptural? with each bead signifying one of Eventually, fifty Hail Marys were Mediterranean was now at stake. begin truly to focus our attention To be cont’d next week Electronic Edition

these hard times and Without Fear or Favour reinforces still preserve their the point that journalism is not a e d i t o r i a l profession for timid, timorous independence. souls but one for brave and Nana Ama uncompromising characters. This Dokua Asiamah- tough, indomitable streak enables Adjei, a Deputy some leading journalists to talk I n f o r m a t i o n true to power, expose acts of M i n i s t e r , corruption and hold the powerful SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2020 – SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2020 commended the to account. The GJA specially impeccable role the salutes such special stalwarts on media is playing in this special Day”, he said. i n f o r m i n g , The GJA President lauded Independent Press, Essential at all Times e d u c a t i n g a n d the indispensable role the media s e n s i t i z i n g t h e are playing in the fight against the Ghanaian public in COVID –19 pandemic, adding – UNESCO Representative in Ghana this COVID-19 era. that in an increasingly complex She said the media landscape ignited by citizens right to the use of social By Doreen Darko Newsrooms should be free to impact of the pandemic on the media, the importance of the make independent editorial media industry is being traditional media and the need for decisions that favour public examined by Government and an all absorbing attention to r. Abdourahamane i n t e r e s t a n d p r e s e r v e will be addressed within the Diallo, the UNESCO reliable and accuracy become accountability as no crisis can be broader Government Economic more paramount. MRepresentative to resolved without accurate and response programme to be G h a n a , s a y s a f r e e a n d The Chairman of the reliable information. “At all levels, announced later. National Media Commission independent press is essential at from governments to individuals, The GJA President, Mr. all times, particularly during a (NMC), Mr. Yaw Ayeboafo who the decisions we make can be a Affail Monney, said Ghana's chaired the function, advised health crisis such as the one matter of life and death and must decline on the global league (COVID-19) we are currently Media Practitioners to discharge be based on facts and science”, he table of free media systems their duties professionally and experiencing. added. from 23 rd in 2018, 27 th in 2019 He noted that at a time within the confines of the laws of He said though media and 30 th in 2020 could be Ghana and never allow themselves when many seek information personnel are risking their lives l i n k e d t o i m p u n i t y, a n d primarily online, it is important Mr. Diallo to be the conduit of fake news. and safety to keep the public t h e r e f o r e c a l l e d o n t h e There were solidarity that the media and journalists informed, they are faced with authorities to deal surgically report on the crisis effectively and growth, the health of the news media m e s s a g e s f r o m t h e G h a n a physical attacks, as well as with the cancer of impunity by I n d e p e n d e n t B r o a d c a s t e r s safely, and to promote critical harassment connected to covering industry is at risk. Advertising prosecuting and punishing, to thinking to limit the spread of revenue has dropped suddenly. The Association (GIBA), Private the pandemic – such as attacks by the fullest extent within the law, N e w s p a p e r P u b l i s h e r s rumours and misinformation. mobs as well as abuses by security G l o b a l F o r u m o n M e d i a perpetrators of attacks against T h e U N E S C O Development has reported that some A s s o c i a t i o n o f G h a n a forces. journalists regardless of their (PRINPAG), Ghana Community Representative said this in a T h e U N E S C O of its members have seen 70% material wealth, social status or speech at a ceremony at the 2020 declines in advertising revenue, a Radio Network (GCRN) and r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s a i d m e d i a political links. Editors Forum. World Press Freedom Day Flag- organizations have been hit hard trend observed globally, most “The theme: Journalism Raising Event at the International with the economic fallout from the dramatically for local and regional Press Centre in Accra on Monday, pandemic with a sudden drop in media, as well as in emerging May 4. This year's celebration is advertising revenues risking the markets”, he stressed. on theme: Journalism without survival of the media industry. Mr. Diallo therefore called for Celebrations Fear or Favour. “Despite record audience support for media houses and M r . D i a l l o s a i d journalists to cushion them through Birthday of Most Rev. Anthony Adanuty, Bishop Emeritus of Keta-Akatsi (May 11). Episcopal anniversary of Most Rev. Richard K. Baawobr. You were ordained Bishop of Wa Diocese on May 7, 2016. The Board Management and Staff of The Catholic Standard wish you both happy anniversaries.

Bishop Gyamfi Appeals for Support for The Catholic Standard

he Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, Episcopal Chairman of Social Communications of the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference, has appealed Tto individuals and organisations to support The Catholic Standard financially. This, he stated in a letter of appeal, was to help in the continuous free dissemination of the electronic version of the Paper as well as honour other financial obligations of its operations. “As you are aware, hard copies of The Catholic Standard has not been in Flashback: Pope John Paul II carrying a circulation for weeks due to the measures taken by the Government and the Bishops' little girl in Kumasi. Conference against having Church programmes in large numbers and respecting social distancing as a result of the coronavirus pandemic,” he appealed. 0 years ago, (May 8-10, 1980) e also remember Contributions can be made through the following transfer details: Pope John Paul II, now St. the 102 years of the a. Mobile Money transfer: MoMo number 0553921791 in the name of Standard 4John Paul, paid a Pastoral visit Wb i r t h o f t h e Newspapers and Magazines. to Ghana on occasion of the S e r v a n t o f G o d , P e t e r b. Bank transfer: Account number: 1081010003442603 centenary of the Catholic Church in Cardinal Porekuu Dery. He Account Name: Standard Newspapers & Magazines. Ghana. was born on May 10, 1918. Bank: ADB (Agricultural Development Bank), Gulf House, Accra.

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