Don't downplay libation at state functions – Archbishop Sarpong

Most Rev Dr Peter Akwasi Sarpong

The Emeritus Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kumasi, the Most Rev Dr Peter Akwasi Sarpong, has called on state officials not to downplay the importance of libation prayer at state functions.

He said libation pouring at state functions was not demonic or evil, as some perceived, but rather it sought for blessings and other beneficial graces for the nation, its leaders and the entire population.

"As a people, we should give praise to God that He has given us an institution such as libation, which helps us keep our religiosity and Godliness intact," he said.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Graphic in Kumasi yesterday concerning the reported absence of libation pouring at recent state functions, the Most Rev Dr Sarpong said, "People who are behind this development may have not taken their time to study what libation entails."

He said some of them also had prejudiced minds about libation, which is very unfortunate.

"Instead of taking the subject and analysing it thoroughly, they approach it sentimentally," he said.

He noted that the blessings the country had received over the years were partly the result of libation pouring and so people should not be angry over libation prayer.

The Emeritus Archbishop, who is an anthropologist and sociologist, has written a book on libation.

In the Catholic Church itself, a former Archbishop of Cape Coast, the Most Rev William Porter, had constituted a committee in 1958 to study the importance of libation pouring in relation to Catholic teachings.

That committee was chaired by the Rt Rev John Kodwo Amissah, the then Auxiliary Bishop to the Cape Coast Archdiocese, and its findings revealed that Catholic teachings favoured an aspect of libation pouring, while they did not favour other aspects.

Archbishop Sarpong said if it was true that some Christians were behind the seeming ban on libation pouring at state functions it would be counter-productive to the development of Christianity.

He explained that Christianity was not against libation pouring and so people should not confuse the two things.

Quoting extensively from the Scriptures to back his assertion, the Emeritus Archbishop said nowhere in the Bible was libation described as a sin.

"Those who see libation as anti-Christian are making a mistake," the Most Rev Dr Sarpong stated, adding that if the nation was to see accelerated development things such as libation that "draws us near God should not be discarded".