The Vatican has commended Ghana’s constant efforts to upholding peace and stability within its borders and with other countries.
The seat of the Roman Catholic Church also lauded the country for being a regular contributor of troops to many UN Peacekeeping Missions.
Speaking on behalf of the Pope Francis, President of the Governorate of the Vatican City State (who ranks as the Vice President of the State of Vatican) His Eminence Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, said Ghana’s peace efforts were worth emulating.
His Eminence Cardinal Bertello said these when he paid a courtesy call on Ghana’s Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia at the Flagstaff House on Friday, March 3, 2017.
“Ghana’s stable democracy is also good for Africa. It is an example for all,” His Eminence Cardinal Bertello said.
Cardinal Bertello is the Pope’s Special Envoy to the celebration of the 40 years of Diplomatic Relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Ghana.
Photo: His Eminence Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello (right) in a handshake with Dr Bawumia
Cardinal Bertello is also the Pope’s representative to the celebration of Ghana’s 60th Independence anniversary which comes off on Monday, March 6, 2017.
He was accompanied by Archbishop Jean-Marie Speich, Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana and Sir Benedict Batabe Assorow, Managing Editor of The Catholic Standard.
Citing, in particular, Ghana’s contribution to the UN’s Peacekeeping troops in various troubled spots, Cardinal Bertello said Ghana’s continued support for peace and stability had been noted with appreciation by the international community and the Holy Father.
Vice President Dr. Bawumia, in turn, commended the Roman Catholic Church for the enormous role it has played in the development of Ghana over the decades, through the provision of schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure as well as human resources.
“We value and cherish the relationship between Ghana and the Holy See and we look forward to more years of the special, mutually beneficial relationship,” the Vice President said.
The relationship between The Vatican and Ghana spans some 100 years, however, on March 3, 1957, three days to Ghana’s independence from British colonial rule, the country was consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Accra.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the most widely practiced and well-known Roman Catholic devotions.
Devotees take Jesus Christ’s physical heart as the representation of His divine love for humanity.
As part of the 60th independence anniversary, Catholics in Ghana, over 13% of the population, and other religious groups will take part in the re-consecration of the country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Saturday, March 4, 2017, at the Holy Spirit Cathedral.
Source: myjoyonline.com
