The Primate of the Church of the Province of West Africa (CPWA) of the Anglican Church, Most Rev. Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, has urged the leadership of the Ghana Anglican Clergy Association (GACA) to support efforts to establish a fund for retiring priests.
“My vision as the Archbishop of the Internal Province of Ghana (IPG) is to set up a fund from which a befitting pension package will be paid to retiring priests who have served the church,” he stressed.
He said retiring priests who have served the church and humanity should receive substantial parting money in recognition of their service in God’s ministry.
Induction
Most Rev. Ben-Smith made the remarks at the installation and induction of the new Chairman and National Executives of the GACA at the St Paul On-The-Hill Anglican Church, North Suntreso in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region last Sunday.
It was on the theme: “Post-ordination training and orientation: A panacea for church growth and development.
The new GACA leadership, led by the Archdeacon of Tamale, Venerable Dr Paul Shaibu Katampu, was elected during their 13th national conference held recently in Sefwi Wiawso.
Other elected national executives are Rev. Fr Emmanuel Hector Quartey, Vice Chairman, Rev. Fr Anthony Kusi, Secretary, Rev. Canon Prosper Francis Kwame Deh, Assistant Secretary, Rev. Prof. Christian Nkansa Asante, Financial Secretary, Rev. Fr Henry Yiiyi Annoh, Treasurer, Rev. Canon Charles Dominic Obu-Cann, Public Relations Officer, among others.
Currently, he said many parishes were unable to pay their monthly assessment to their respective dioceses, thereby making it very difficult for the diocese to pay a fitting financial package to retiring priests.
“My intention is for the province to have a fund from which a retiring priest, irrespective of his or her diocese, will be given at least GH¢20,000. This will be in addition to what his or her diocese will give to him or her,” he stated.
Comprehensive data
He mentioned that comprehensive data on all the clergy would be compiled, paving the way for the province to know the total number of priests to retire every year, saying “this will help in the planning of pension packages for the beneficiary priests”.
He said, “If the fund is well established, all members of the church will even voluntarily contribute to it towards its sustenance. I wish to appeal to the GACA and the House of Bishop to support this life-changing initiative”.
While delivering the sermon on the theme: “called to stand firm in the Lord in fulfilment”, he told the new GACA leadership that they had been called at this material moment for the edification of God’s church.
Confidence reposed
On behalf of the new GACA leadership, Ven. Dr Katampu, who thanked the clergy for the confidence reposed in them, said they had assumed office with a heart of gratitude and a profound sense of responsibility and reverence.
He said leadership was not a position of status but a sacred trust of stewardship and a calling to serve, stressing “it is a calling to edify, shepherd, integrity and humility” and further paid glowing tribute to his predecessor for his efforts during his tenure.
In a remark, the outgoing GACA Chairman, Rev. Canon James Nuamah, charged the new leadership to serve with love and humility and further prayed for divine patience upon them to be able to lead their fellow priests well towards the general progress of the church.
Writer’s email:
