Catholic Church, NDC condemn attack on 3 priests

The Catholic Bishop of Jasikan Diocese, Most Rev. Gabriel A. Mante, has called on successive governments and election-winning political parties to put effective mechanisms in place to check and bring an end to violence and needless attacks on citizens after elections. 

“This canker seems to be unfortunately becoming a disgraceful unwritten law in Ghana,” he said.

Reacting to the recent mob attack on three Indian Catholic Priests at Nkwanta in the Oti Region last Wednesday, the Catholic Bishop of Jasikan Diocese condemned such unjustified mob actions and called for the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators to serve as a deterrent.

In a statement, he said such actions if not prevented could lead to a long-term unpleasant relationship that could affect international relationships.

Most Rev. Mante explained that the priests had leased a bulldozer from the Nkwanta-South Municipal Assembly to work on a piece of land they were preparing to construct a Formation House project for the seminarians at Chaiso in the Nkwanta-South Municipality.

“They paid an amount of GH¢9,700 and were moving the equipment to the site at Chaiso when they were pounced upon by the mob who accused them of stealing the equipment,” the statement explained.

According to the Bishop, the action was unwarranted since the priests were on a mission that would be beneficial to the country at large.

Up till now, according to the Catholic Church they have not heard of the arrest of the perpetrators, and are therefore demanding that the authorities should move fast to bring the perpetrators to face the law.

The Catholic Church also stated that it was important to allow the law to take its course so that the public did not take the law into their own hands.

The three Catholic Priests are Fr Robinson Melkis, Fr Frank Henry Jacob and Fr Martin George, all belonging to the Capuchin Friars.

They have been engaged in missionary activities in the country since 2005.

Incident

The missionaries were beaten to such an extent that Fr Henry Jacob cannot hear in one of the ears. He has been referred to the Yendi Hospital.

Two other officials of the Nkwanta-South Municipal Assembly who were accompanying them were also brutally assaulted by the mob.

The mob went on to report to the police that the victims were stealing one of the assembly’s road equipment. They were subsequently remanded in police custody and had the equipment impounded.

Upon the intervention of the Vicar-General, they have been granted bail pending further investigation. 

Apology

Meanwhile, the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) branch of the Nkwanta-South Constituency has rendered an unqualified apology to the three Indian Catholic Priests and the Jasikan Diocese of the Catholic Church.

In a release issued at Nkwanta and signed by the NDC Constituency Secretary, Prince Succeed Fiagadzi, the party said it was deeply appalled and saddened by the attack on the Catholic Priests by some youth last Wednesday.

It described the heinous act as unacceptable and apologised for the harm, trauma and distress caused them.

“Your selfless dedication to serving humanity and preaching the message of love and compassion deserves utmost respect and gratitude,” they added.