Lome, 08 August, 2024 / 8:34 pm (ACI Africa).
Bishop François Xavier Ghanbodè Gnonhossou of the Catholic Diocese of Dassa-Zoumé in Togo has urged the 19 Priests he ordained to nurture their relationship with the person of Jesus Christ as “authentic” witnesses to truth and justice.
In his homily during the August 3 Priestly ordination, Bishop Gnonhossou described the Priesthood as “first and foremost a choice made by the Lord Himself for the spiritual good and salvation of His people.”
“This choice, which is the subject of today's ordinations confirms and legitimizes your vocational journey. However, it does not mark the end of vocational discernment, which continues in the spirit of fidelity and undivided love for the Lord and the Church,” he said during the Eucharistic celebration at St. Teresa of Avila Kognito Parish of Lomé Archdiocese.
The Togolese Catholic Bishop explained, “The exercise of Priestly ministry is another place of formation in the school of Jesus Christ. He asks nothing in return but your love and fidelity in the service of the Church, and a true and authentic witness.”
“One of the virtues that the Priest, like Christ his master, must cultivate in order to work towards making the kingdom of God grow in the world is to be servants of truth and justice,” Bishop Gnonhossou said.