“Back your prayer of words with actions,” Ghana’s Former President at Diamond Jubilee

“You should be prepared to die for freedom, justice, your belief and you should be fearless like Christ to stand up for the truth,” Rawlings said.

He also urged African politicians to learn the ethics of life and noble conducts from traditional rulers whom he said were the embodiment of values of countries in Africa.

“Some politicians resort to ungodly acts, a practice far from that of traditional leaders,” he lamented and called on politicians “to desist from ungodly practices like corruption, telling lies and stealing but make the effort to be truthful and showing love to all humanity.”

The Diamond Jubilee Mass was presided over by Spiritan Archbishop John Bonaventure Kwofie, of Accra who, citing the Gospel of the day, noted that “the first step to holiness is to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.”

In his homily, Archbishop Kwofie described Christianity as a “non-negotiable call to holiness and exemplary life because Jesus Christ on whom their faith was anchored was holy.”

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He advised Christians to respect the virtues of justice, mercy, love, forgiveness, and reconciliation, asking them to strive hard to be lights to worldly darkness. 

The 61-year-old Ghanaian Prelate further called on the faithful to make a difference at their homes, communities, and workplaces, saying, “We cannot continue to do the same thing; we must stand out and give a message to the world as it keeps getting sour by the choices we make in our daily lives. Our workplaces are getting sour because of the choices we make.”

 “Your fast must make society but not to exploit innocent people, he said and added, “Let us do our best to grow the Church as family of God in Africa; we are all called to make it a home where everyone matters and is loved, what you do as one member, you do for all.”

On his part, Fr. Peter Rocky Hesse, the Parish Priest of the Diamond Jubilee Church said the theme of the anniversary, “Call to Holiness” was worth reflecting saying, “it is not limited to just the clergy, the consecrated, or those who live a contemplate life.”

“We are called to holiness, whatever our role, by living our lives with love and becoming witnesses and turning to God every day,” Fr. Hesse said and added, “this is our mandate and obligation we ought to respond to as we celebrate the goodness of the Lord.”

The cleric asked the faithful “to allow the Word of God to be a compass to navigate their bearing by frequenting the Holy Eucharist to strengthen themselves for their Christian pilgrimage.”

Meanwhile, Chair of the Parish Pastoral Council, Ruth Dede Yankey said the call to holiness should be the desire and duty every Christian.

The call to holiness, Ms. Yankey said, “must be in all affairs, in every kind of condition and towards all men. We must watch and pray against the sins which we are inclined to.”

To her, “this can be accomplished by preparing ourselves to obey, focusing on the hope of our future glorification and by conforming ourselves to God’s purity.”

As part of the anniversary, Archbishop Kwofie administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 63 candidates and urged them to make themselves soldiers of Christ by standing firm in the faith and ready to defend the Catholic Church.

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