New Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana arrives
The new Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Rev. Jean-Marie Speich, arrived in Accra on Monday, January 20, to take up his new appointment, promising to work closely with the Bishops of Ghana as the Pope’s representative and help the Church to grow from strength to strength.
The new Nuncio said he was happy to be in Ghana, which he described as highly religious, to further strengthen Ghana-Vatican relations.
He praised the Catholic Church in Ghana for playing “significant roles in nation-building especially in the fields of education and social welfare”.
Archbishop Speich was also full of praise for the country’s political stability where successive Governments for years, had upheld the Rule of Law.
The Nuncio was happy that the Ghana Government had established a permanent Embassy at the Holy See, describing it as a sign of collaboration which was destined to grow and be productive for both Ghana and the Vatican.
He expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for appointing him as his representative in Ghana, stating that “the Nuncio is called to keep alive and reinforce the existing relationship between the Holy See and the State Authorities.”
He was met on arrival at the Kotoka International Airport by Most Revs. Anthony Adanuty, Vice President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, Archbishop of Accra.
At the Nunciature to receive the Nuncio were Most Revs. Francis A.K. Lodonu, Bishop of Ho; Gabriel A. A. Mante of Jasikan; Peter Atuahene of Goaso; Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum of Koforidua; and Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, SVD, of Donkorkrom.
In an impressive welcome gesture, Mrs. Sheba Awuah-Darko presented the Nuncio with a bouquet on behalf of the Bishops and warmly welcomed him and wished him a happy stay in Ghana.
Looking quite fresh after a long flight, he chatted warmly with his hosts at the Nunciature.
The Nuncio joined the Bishops at the Nunciature Chapel for prayers, led by Archbishop Palmer-Buckle to thank God for a successful journey.
At a short reception at the Nunciature, Archbishop Palmer-Buckle on behalf of the President of the GCBC, Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu, thanked the Holy Father, Pope Francis for assigning Archbishop Speich to succeed Archbishop Leon B. Kalenga, saying that they were looking forward to a fruitful collaboration with the Nuncio, asking him to feel at home.
He assured the Nuncio of the GCBC’s maximum support and co-operation.
Archbishop Palmer-Buckle gave a brief history of the Church in Ghana, stating that the it has 19 Dioceses and an Apostolic Vicariate which in the not-too distant future could be made a Diocese.
He said the Catholic Church was the largest single religious denomination in Ghana while Christians represent about 68 percent of the population, noting that prior to Ghana’s independence in 1957, the country was consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Previous Nuncios to Ghana are Most Rev. Giuseppe Ferrailoli (1976-1982); Ivan Dias (1982-1987); Giuseppe Bertello (1987-1991); Abraham Kattumana (1991-1993); Andre Dupuy (1993-2000); George Kocherry (2000-2008); and Leon B. Kalenga (2008 – 2013).
Archbishop Speich was appointed to his present diplomatic post by Pope Francis on August 17, 2013, to succeed Archbishop Kalenga, who had been assigned to El Salvador and Belize as Apostolic Nuncio.
He is the eighth Nuncio to Ghana.
Archbishop Speich was born on June 15, 1955 in Strasbourg, France, ordained to the Priesthood on October 9, 1982 and was consecrated to the Episcopate on October 24, 2013, becoming Titula Archbishop of Sulci.
He entered the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See on July 1, 1986, and had served at its Embassies in Haiti, Nigeria, Bolivia, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, Egypt, Spain and Cuba.
From March 1, 2008, he was given responsibility at the Secretariat of State in Rome, as Head Officer of the Section for French-speaking Countries.
Archbishop Speich speaks Italian, English, German and Spanish and has a Doctorate Degree in Canon Law.
Among the welcoming party were Very Rev. Fr. Nicholas Afriyie, Secretary General of the National Catholic Secretariat (NCS); Sir Fosuabah Mensah Banahene, President of the Forum of Papal Knights and Dames; Rev. Bro. Steven Domelevo, SVD, Director of Catholic Digest; Dame Mrs. Cecilia Kwofie, President of the National Sacred Heart Enthronement Centre and Mr. Dan Dzide, Executive Secretary of DEPSOCOM at the NCS.
The St. Christopher Cutlural Troupe of St. Kizito Parish at Nima in Accra, accompanied by their Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Raymond Osei-Tutu entertained the Nuncio and dignitaries to cutural dispaly at the Nunciature.
By Steve Kakrabah-Quarshie and Damian Avevor
Source: The Catholic Standard