Catholic Cathedral re-dedicated in Takoradi

Takoradi, Feb. 12, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Sunday called on the people to rise above political, religious and social divisions to enable them serve the country better and work for the common good of all.

He was speaking at the re-dedication of Our Lady Star of the Sea Cathedral of the Catholic Church after expansion, renovation and refurbishment at Takoradi.

The project cost two point five billion cedis.

President Kufuor said what the nation needed at this time in its development was responsible citizens that would work for the well being of the country and their fellow men.

He said the commandment of Jesus to Christians to love their neighbours as themselves implies that Ghanaians be each other's keeper. President Kufuor said this also meant that, Ghanaians should work together for the development of the country, irrespective of their differences.

President Kufuor said Ghanaians should, therefore, try to be good Christians and responsible citizens.

He was happy that the Catholic Church has transcended political and religious boundaries and was working in many sectors to complement the government efforts.

President Kufuor called on the Churches to use their good offices to promote the National Health Insurance Scheme to enable the people to enjoy quality medical care.

His Eminence, Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, Archbishop of Cape Coast and Primate of the Catholic Church in Ghana, dedicated the Cathedral with the assistance of Most Reverend John Martin, Bishop of Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese and Most Reverend Joseph Essien, Bishop of Sefwi Wiawso Diocese.

In a homily, Cardinal Turkson said the Cathedral was being re-dedicated because the Catholic faith required the re-dedication of a Church, when its altar is changed, removed and modified during renovation or expansion work.

He said the Cathedral was a place of worship and where the word of God and the Holy Spirit abide and should be regarded as such by all to make it a special place of worship.

Cardinal Turkson said what made Jerusalem a place of worship in the time of Jesus was the presence of Holy Spirit that was available in the Cathedral.

He said the dedication of the cathedral meant the dedication and consecration of people, who come to worship there.

Cardinal Turkson urged the people to lead holy lives in order to safeguard the sacredness of the Cathedral.

Bishop Darko said efforts by the Church to upgrade the Holy Child Teacher Training College at Sekondi into a tertiary institution and construct new schools were being hampered by land problems. Bishop Lodonu asked politicians, who are Catholics not to be ashamed of their faith and to find time to attend Church service. Later, President Kufuor made a personal donation of 20 million cedis to the cathedral.

Present at the ceremony were Mr Ebenezer Sekyi-Hughes, Speaker of Parliament, Mr Freddie Blay, First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Paul Damoah, a member of the Council of State and Peter Mac Manu, Chairman of the New Patriotic Party.

Others were Papa Owusu Ankomah, Minister of the Interior and Member of Parliament (MP) for Sekondi, Mrs Gladys Asmah, MP for Takoradi and Minister of Fisheries, Mrs Angelina Baiden-Amissah, MP for Shama and Deputy Minister of Education and Sports, Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, Madam Sophia Horner-Sam, Deputy Regional Minister, and MPs in the region.