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Bishop Osei-Bonsu 
Clock 40 years in Priesthood and 20 years of Episcopacy
By Damian Avevor, Mampong- Asante

The Bishop of Konongo-Mampong Diocese, Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu has been commended for his deep spirituality that had brought physical and spiritual development to the Diocese he had shepherded for two decades.

Most Rev. Peter Atuahene, Bishop of Goaso, praised him for carrying out his Priestly duties with zeal and dedicated life for the past 40 years. In a homily at a Thanksgiving Mass at the St. Paul’s Cathedral at Mampong to climax the 40th and 20th anniversaries of the Priestly and Episcopal ordinations of Bishop Osei-Bonsu, Bishop Atuahene extolled the humility of the jubilant as a good Shepherd. He described Bishop Osei-Bonsu as a man of sincere love, simplicity and deep humility, faithful and committed servant who serves with all his strength.

He said his selfless leadership had touched the lives of many Priests, Religious and lay faithful of the Diocese, calling for more support for the Bishop to achieve his future plans for the Diocese. The Mass was also to mark the 20th anniversary of the erection of the Konongo-Mampong Diocese, the second biggest after Damongo Diocese. It was attended by many people from all walks of life including Chiefs, Government officials, Priests, Religious and hundreds of Laity.

Bishop Atuahene urged the jubilant to continue to seek the face of god in his ministry as a Priest and Bishop, appealing to him to continue to exhibit his humility and affability in his Episcopate. He praised the jubilant for his unique leadership as the President of the Ghana catholic Bishops’ Conference and for his boldness in addressing issues of the Church on Radio Station across the country. 

He said Bishop Osei-Bonsu in his 40 and 20 years as a Priest and Bishop had brought about many physical and spiritual development, noting that “the most important achievement of the jubilarian is that Christ wants to continue to use him for the redemption and salvation of his flock. He prayed that Bishop OSei-Bonsu in his triple anniversary celebrations would continue to bring glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the broken hearted, comfort to those who mourn and proclaim liberty to captives.

Bishop Atuahene lauded the Priests and pastoral agents for their dedicated service and urged Parents to inculcate the gospel values in their children and encourage them to aspire to the Priesthood. He advised Catholics to be strengthened the faith and not allow themselves to be swayed by people, pleading with the laity to take active part in the new Evangelisation Mission of the Church.

The Bishop of Goaso asked Catholics to lead good moral lives in all their endeavours for the spiritual growth of the Diocese and for themselves. Bishop Osei-Bonsu was ordained Priest at the St. Peter’s Cathedral on August 3, 1975 by Most Rev. Peter Sarpong; ordained Bishop on May 28, 1995 and installed on June 11, same year. The triple anniversary Mass was presided over by Bishop Osei-bonsu and concelebrated by Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi and Bishop Atuahene.

Traditional rulers, Government functionaries, representative from Churches, students of from Schools in the Konongo-mampong Diocese well as Societies in the Church gave a colourful touch to the ceremony in their ceremonial dresses. Congratulatory messages came from Priests, Religious and Laity of the Diocese, GCBC, the Government and Traditional leaders.

Bishop Gyamfi on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference, appreciated the work of Bishop Osei-Bonsu and wished him well, assuring him of the Conference’s support in his Episcopal Ministry.

“The celebration of twenty years, both of the Diocese and of its Shepherd offers a singular opportunity to cast our minds back on the past two decades, thanking the Lord for the many blessings received and also to look towards the future, asking for the Lord’s continued guidance and support in the years to come.” He said the Bishops trust that with the convoking of a Diocesan Synod, coming on the heels of the second National pastoral Congress, would turn out to be significant step towards the implementation of the outcome of this congress along with the Pastoral Guidelines issued by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

Mr. Mohammed Kojo Aboasu, Municipal Chief Executive of Mampong, praised the unique leadership of Bishop Osei-Bonsu, who had allowed himself by God to do many things to the people, saying that he used his position to help the Church and the State. He commended him for forming many Priests, lay men and women who have become indispensable agents of evangelization in Ghana and undertaking many developmental projects.

In his address, Daasebre Osei-Bonsu II called for intensified collaboration between the Catholic Church and the Traditional Council, praising Bishop Osei-Bonsu for building a formidable relationship with the people of Mampong. He commended the Church hierarchy for its enormous development efforts and hoped that it would continue to give spiritual direction to the people.

The Mamponghene announced that as a son of the Traditional Council, he would accord a chieftaincy honour on Bishop Osei-Bonsu for his great works and love to the people.

On his part, Nana Otuo Siriboe II, Omanhene of the Juaben Traditional Area, thanked bishop Osei-Bonsu for his fatherly love to the people of Konongo, which is under the Juaben Traditional Council. Mr. Charles Adjei, a businessman, who was the Guest of Honour, appealed Catholics to support the impending developmental projects of the Diocese, including the building of more Basic Schools, Nursing Training College and Hospitals.

The Priests of the Diocese presented a Chasuble and a Mitre to the bishop as their token of appreciation for his lovely care. 
There were other donations from Societies and individuals to support the Ministry of the bishop while an appeal for funds to support Diocesan Projects was held.
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