Attack of Three Catholic Missionary Priests in Ghana “barbaric”: Official of Bishops’ Conference, Diocese Urges Justice

“The injured Priest was taken to hospital where he was treated and discharged,” according to the Police Press Release titled, “Police commence investigation into alleged assault on three missionary Catholic Priests in the Oti Region”.

Ghana’s Police go on to clarify that “throughout the investigation process, the Priests have been treated as victims and at no point were they detained by the Police.”

In his note to ACI Africa, Fr. Dieu-Donné says he finds it “very unfortunate that some people have become lawless and committing crimes in the name of political party foot soldiers.”

The assailants, the official of Ghana’s Catholic Bishops says, “must be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land.”

The Local Ordinary of Jasikan Diocese has condemned the December assault as “unjustifiable.”

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Attack of Three Catholic Missionary Priests in Ghana “barbaric”: Official of Bishops’ Conference, Diocese Urges Justice

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“This brutality is unacceptable and deserves condemnation from all people of goodwill, as the priests were on a genuine mission that will be beneficial not only to themselves but to the Nkwanta South Municipality and Ghana at large,” Bishop Gabriel Akwasi Ababio Mante says in a December 12 statement.

Bishop Mante adds, “The Catholic Church in the Diocese of Jasikan and in Ghana in general take a serious view of this unwarranted attack on the three innocent priests.”

“We call on the appropriate authorities to take immediate action to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety and security of all citizens, particularly these foreign missionaries,” the Ghanaian Catholic Bishops says in the one-page statement he addressed to Clergy, women and men Religious and Laity in his Episcopal See.

Bringing the assailants to justice, he says, “will serve as a deterrent to undisciplined youth determined to cause confusion by taking advantage of the post-election period.”

“We therefore demand that they should be arrested with immediate effect so that justice is served and be seen manifestly to be served,” the Local Ordinary of Jasikan Diocese says.

“Such irresponsible acts lead to unfortunate incidents such as this current one that could lead to long term unpleasant relationships with adverse international implications if allowed to fester,” Bishop Mante goes on to lament, and calls for calmness among all the parties.

He further links the attack on Ghana’s post December 7 general elections, saying, “We take this opportunity to call on successive governments and election winning parties to put effective mechanisms in place to check and bring an end to violence and needless attacks on citizens and legal residence after elections.”

Meanwhile, in a separate statement availed to ACI Africa, members of the Ghana National Union of Ghana Catholic Diocesan Priests' Associations (NUGCDPA) have also condemned the attack of the three Capuchin Franciscans, terming it as “barbaric and senseless.”

“We, the membership of the NUGCDPA wish to express our unflinching solidarity with these our brother priests and the entire missionary community in Ghana in such trying times. We assure them of our support in action and prayers to help bring the perpetrators to justice,” the Diocesan Priests say in their statement dated December 13.

In the one-page statement that NUGCDPA president, Fr. Thaddeus Kuusah, signed, Ghana’s Diocesan Priests urge the leadership of Jasikan Diocese not to relent in pursuing “true justice” for the three Catholic missionary Priests.

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Amid police investigation into the December 11 attack, NUGCDPA members urge “the Catholic youth of the area to remain calm and compliant, trusting that the leadership of the Jasikan Diocese and the police will do a good job to bring this matter to a just conclusion.”

In their December 12 Press Release, the Police in Ghana indicate that “efforts are underway to get the perpetrators arrested so they can face justice.”

The Press Release also indicates that Ghana’s Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare had reached out to GCBC President, Bishop Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, regarding the attack “and assured him of a thorough Police investigation into the incident and also pledged all necessary support to the affected priests.”

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.