Catholic Diocese of Mampong suspends priest indefinitely over alleged abandonment of duties

The Catholic Diocese of Mampong has indefinitely suspended Rev. Fr. Samuel Adapore, barring him from publicly administering the sacraments, celebrating or concelebrating Mass, and performing other public liturgical functions.

The suspension took effect on Monday, August 24, 2026, following a directive contained in a letter signed by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Korhogo-Mampong, Most Rev. John Opoku-Agyemang.

According to the bishop, the decision was taken in consultation with the College of Consultors after what he described as “serious acts” by Rev. Fr. Adapore.

Rev. Fr. Adapore, who previously served as Rector of the St. Anthony of Padua Rectorate at Nkwantakese, is alleged to have unilaterally taken a leave of absence from the diocese and abandoned his pastoral responsibilities without obtaining the required permission.

The bishop said the action contravened Canon 533 (1) of the Catholic Church’s Code of Canon Law.

Rev. Fr. Adapore was also accused of removing his personal belongings from the mission house at Nkwantakese without notifying or seeking authorisation from the appropriate diocesan authorities.

The diocese said it had been unable to establish his current whereabouts.

“As of now, he has blocked all access to him, and his immediate family members have maintained that none of them knows his whereabouts,” the bishop stated.

The suspension, formally known as suspension a divinis, restricts a priest from exercising certain public functions of the priesthood. In Rev. Fr. Adapore’s case, this includes publicly administering the sacraments, celebrating or concelebrating Mass and officiating at other liturgical services.

The bishop urged the clergy, consecrated men and women, and the Catholic faithful to pray for the suspended priest.

The suspension remains in force indefinitely, pending further action by the diocese.