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Catholic Diocese in Ghana Postpones Marian Pilgrimage to Allow for Participation in Country's General Elections

Credit: Catholic Trends

By Silas Isenjia

Ho, 22 October, 2024 / 8:17 pm (ACI Africa).

The Catholic Diocese of Ho in Ghana has postponed its 2024 diocesan pilgrimage to Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in Kpando Agbenoxoe to ensure that the people participate in the country’s Presidential and Parliamentary elections scheduled for December 7.

In a circular issued on Sunday, October 20, the Ghanaian Episcopal See said that the event that had fallen on the same day with the elections will now take place from Saturday, December 14, to Sunday, December 15.

The Diocese announced the postponement in a circular that was addressed to all Priests, Religious, and lay faithful, saying, “It is a civic responsibility for all qualified citizens to participate in this national exercise.”

“It would be impractical on our part as a diocese to place our diocesan pilgrimage to the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, Kpando Agbenoxoe on that weekend,” the Diocese indicated in the October 20 circular that ACI Africa obtained on Tuesday, October 22.

The guidelines in the circular indicate that the new pilgrimage schedule will begin with arrivals at Kpando Agbenoxoe on Saturday, December 14, and will include a Penitential Service with individual confessions, Holy Mass, a talk on the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a candlelight procession.

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The circular says that on Sunday, the program will feature Rosary prayers, individual confessions, and Holy Mass, concluding with a fundraising event to support infrastructural development at the Grotto.

According to reports, Ghana’s forthcoming election is viewed as significant as it marks the end of President Nana Akufo-Addo’s second term, adhering to the country's constitutional two-term limit.

The West African nation has earned a reputation for peaceful power transitions and a strong commitment to democratic principles after its return to democratic governance in 1992.

The leading candidates for the presidency include Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former President John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Mahama lost to Akufo-Addo in both the 2016 and 2020 elections. Bawumia is reportedly positioning himself as a technocratic leader focused on economic issues.

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In the October 20 circular, the Catholic Diocese of Ho urged the people of God in the Episcopal See to continue to fulfill both their spiritual and civic duties throughout the electioneering period.

Silas Isenjia

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.

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