By Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo
The mortal remains of the late Catholic Bishop of Wa, Richard Cardinal Kuuia Baawobr have been interred at the St Andrews Cathedral in Wa.
Among the dignitaries at the funeral mass for the late Cardinal were President Akufo Addo, the Apostlic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Rev Henryk Mieczyslaw Jagodzinski and Peter Cardinal Appiah Turkson.
GBC’s Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo reports that a large crowd of people were at the Wa Sports Stadium, the venue of the requiem mass to pay their last respects to his Eminence Richard Cardinal Kuuia Baawobr of the Missionary of Africa.
The late Cardinal Baawobr was born in Tom-Zandaagang on 21st June, 1959 in the Nativity of Our Lady Parish, Ko in Nandom District of the Upper West Region of Ghana.
He was ordained as a priest in 1987 and was made the Bishop of Wa Catholic Diocese in 2016 after several international engagements in Congo, Tanzania and France amongst others.
In a homily, the Superior General of the Missionaries of Africa, Very Reverend Father Stanley Lubungo reminded the faithful that they exist a gift from God and as such they are destined to eternal life.
He said: From Jesus’ gift of his body and blood we have eternal life, we enter into communion with God already here on Earth and, we will live forever as Jesus promises to raise us up on the last day. This is encouraging and consoling for the circumstances that gather us here today, in faith, we believe that our brother Richard Cardinal Baawobr, whom we are entrusting to God, lives in God and that the Lord will raise him up on the last day.”
Very Reverend Fr. Lubungo observed that “we cannot ignore the bitter feeling of losing a young and promising Cardinal who had, together with you, people of God of Wa Diocese, a vision for the Diocese and who engaged in a number of projects. It surely pains to think of what he would have offered as Cardinal to the Diocese of Wa, to the African Church and indeed to the universal Church”.
The Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Reverend Henryk Mieczyslaw Jagodzinski who delivered Pope Francis’ message, extended heartfelt condolences to the family of Cardinal Baawobr and the Missionary of Africa as well as the Clergy,Religious and Laity of the Diocese of Wa and recalled the late Cardinal’s services to the Church.
Most Reverend Jagodzinski: “Recalling with gratitude Cardinal Baawobr’s faithful witness to the Gospel marked by general service to the Church in Ghana, especially moose in need, willingly join the faithful in praying that our merciful Father may grant to this wise and gentle pastor the reward of his labours and welcome him into the light and peace in heaven.”
President Akufo-Addo indicated that the news of the passing of Cardinal Baawobr brought a considerable sadness to him personally, the Catholic Church and all well meaning Ghanaians adding that the vacuum so created will be difficult to fill.
“Our nation has lost one of its finest citizens, one who will be difficult to replace. Confronted by adversity at an early age, following the death if his father, he surmounted the challenges life threw at him. Challenges which ultimately drew him close to his maker and to his life’s purpose on earth. From being ordained in Wa, his work as priest took him to the Democratic Republic of Congo, to Tanzania and to France. Despite been to several parts of the world, home for him, will always be Wa. With his crowning glory being his ordination as the Bishop of Wa in May 2016,” the President stated.
President Akufo-Addo: “When I heard of the news of his elevation as Cardinal, the first of such elevation in Ghana’s history by the Holy Father Pope Francis, I deemed it as appropriate and instructed the Chief of Staff at the office of the President and other officials at the presidency about the need for government to show maximum solidarity, not just to the Church but also to him personally for his elevation. This is because his new status brought renown to our country. I was proud that in my time as President, Ghana had also been blessed with another Cardinal.”
President Akufo-Addo donated 100 thousand Ghana Cedis towards the funeral, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin also donated 50 thousand Ghana Cedis. Former President John Mahama equally supported with ten thousand Ghana Cedis.
