Valedictory Mass for Bishop Lodonu
After 42 years of Episcopacy
By Damian Avevor
Thousands of faithful, well-wishers and friends have attended a Valedictory Mass for Most Rev. Francis A.K. Lodonu, Bishop Emeritus of Ho for his many years of faithful and fruitful service as a Priest and Bishop.
Bishop Lodonu, who was succeeded by Most Rev. Emmanuel Fianu had been a --Priest for 51 years and Bishop for 42 years.
Bishop Lodonu was elected as Bishop on May 14, 1973 as the Titular Bishop of Mascula and ordained a Bishop on June 29, 1973 in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome by Pope Paul VI.
He was among ten Bishops ordained in commemoration of the 10th Pontificate of Pope Paul VI. He was thirty-five and a half years old at the time and nine years as a Priest when he was ordained a Bishop with the title, Bishop of the Titular See of Mascula and the Auxiliary Bishop of Keta.
Bishop Lodonu was ordained a Priest on May 18, 1964 at St. Augustine’s Church, Gbi-Central by Bishop Anthony Konings who also baptized him in December 1937.
The farewell Mass held at the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto at Agbenoxoe in the Ho Diocese on Sunday, December 13, 2015 was presided over by Bishop Lodonu and concelebrated by Bishop Fianu; Most Rev. Anthony Adanuty, Bishop of Keta-Akatsi; Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, Bishop of Donkorkrom and Most Rev. Gabriel A.A. Mante, Bishop of Jasikan, who preached the homily.
Among the 100 Priests from the Ho and Keta-Akatsi Dioceses, as well as the Accra Archdiocese who concelebrated the Mass were Rev. Mgrs. Hilary Senoo, Pius Kpeglo, Hope Homeku, Vicar general of Keta-Akatsi; Very Rev. Fr. Francis Adoboli, Vicar General of Accra who represented Archbishop Charles Palmer-Buckle and Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Abbey Quaye, Assistant Secretary General of the National Catholic Secretariat.
The celebration was attended by a large number of lay faithful from the Ho Diocese and Religious including the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church (SMMC), relatives of Bishop Lodonu were also there in their numbers; Togbe Dagadu VIII, Paramount Chief of Akpini Traditional and Mamaga, Nkuoko Agbilisi, Queenmother of the Akpini Traditional Area.
Also present were Supreme Officers of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) of which Bishop Lodonu is the Supreme Spiritual Director. They were Major Gen. Sir Samuel Kofi Asubonteng, President; Brig. Gen. Peter C. Sangber-Dery, Second Vice; and Brig. Gen. Lawrence Lartey, Secretary; all of the Supreme Subordinate Commandery.
In his homily, Bishop Mante praised the efforts of Bishop Lodonu and called on the Priests, Religious and the lay faithful to emulate the humility of the Bishop by avoiding the temptations of sin which had reared its ugly head in society.
He admonished the about 10,000 faithful at the Grotto to endeavour to avoid things that could lead them to avarice, selfishness, pride, violence, human trafficking, felling of trees, drug abuse and the fraudulent ways of acquiring wealth.
He condemned same sex marriages which he said was abominable, asking the pilgrims to always seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary when temptations come their way.
Bishop Mante decried the poor relation Ghanaians had with the environment leading to its destruction, flood and pollution, noting that in spite of our sinful ways God never abandoned His children but welcomed and forgave them.
In a tribute to Bishop Lodonu, the Jasikan Bishop commended him for the many years of dedicated service to the Church, recalling
how he worked with Bishop Lodonu as his Secretary for two and half years.
Sharing his experience, Bishop Mante said he owed his Priesthood to Bishop Lodonu, saying that as a Priest he allowed him to become a Formator at the Seminary for six years.
He thanked Bishop Lodonu for his wise counsel and for supporting him in his Priesthood.
On his part, Bishop Adanuty shared his tight relationship with the Bishop, saying that to become a Prelate was challenging but God always fulfill his promise to those He chose to be leaders.
Describing Bishop Lodonu as a seasoned Prelate, Bishop Adanuty extolled him for allowing himself to be used by God in his Priestly and Episcopal Ministries, saying that his assistance to the Church was very much appreciated.
Presentations were made to Bishop Lodonu by the Jasikan and Keta-Akatsi Dioceses as well as Societies and individuals to support him in his retirement.
Responding, Bishop Lodonu thanked God for enabling him to lead the Diocese for the past 42 years and also thanked all – Priests, Religious and lay faithful-who had supported him throughout his service to the Diocese.
He said since he became Bishop in 1973, he had received nothing but love and inspiration from his Priests, Religious and lay faithful, stating that “I can feel your showers of mercy and forgiveness throughout my ministry.”
Bishop Lodonu told the gathering that “My clear message to you is what you have been able to do to me, enabling me to spend so many years among you, as your pastor and servant in the Lord’s Vineyard; I hope you will do the same to my successor, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu.
He pointed out that no one could make himself a Bishop, only God makes a Bishop but “the Bishop himself does not know how he became a Bishop of a Diocese.”
The Bishop Emeritus noted that one of the greatest Crosses laid upon a Priest was to become a Bishop; and therefore he needed the prayers, the co-operation, and the support of all God’s people whom he has to shepherd.
“My brothers and sisters, after over forty years living among you and serving you, I need your love, your mercy and your forgiveness. I also wish to assure you all that I have forgiven anybody who might have offended me,” he added.
Bishop Lodonu presented Citation to some Priests, Religious and the laity in appreciation of their support including, Mr. Edem Akordor, Director of the Ho Diocesan Laity Council and Mr. Anthony Nyamelegbe, who is in charge of Liturgy at the Sacred Heart Cathedral.
A song composed in honour of Bishop Lodonu by the Bishop Gbevivi Cultural troupe thrilled the gathering bringing the ceremony to a fitting end.
Thousands of faithful, well-wishers and friends have attended a Valedictory Mass for Most Rev. Francis A.K. Lodonu, Bishop Emeritus of Ho for his many years of faithful and fruitful service as a Priest and Bishop.
Bishop Lodonu, who was succeeded by Most Rev. Emmanuel Fianu had been a --Priest for 51 years and Bishop for 42 years.
Bishop Lodonu was elected as Bishop on May 14, 1973 as the Titular Bishop of Mascula and ordained a Bishop on June 29, 1973 in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome by Pope Paul VI.
He was among ten Bishops ordained in commemoration of the 10th Pontificate of Pope Paul VI. He was thirty-five and a half years old at the time and nine years as a Priest when he was ordained a Bishop with the title, Bishop of the Titular See of Mascula and the Auxiliary Bishop of Keta.
Bishop Lodonu was ordained a Priest on May 18, 1964 at St. Augustine’s Church, Gbi-Central by Bishop Anthony Konings who also baptized him in December 1937.
The farewell Mass held at the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto at Agbenoxoe in the Ho Diocese on Sunday, December 13, 2015 was presided over by Bishop Lodonu and concelebrated by Bishop Fianu; Most Rev. Anthony Adanuty, Bishop of Keta-Akatsi; Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, Bishop of Donkorkrom and Most Rev. Gabriel A.A. Mante, Bishop of Jasikan, who preached the homily.
Among the 100 Priests from the Ho and Keta-Akatsi Dioceses, as well as the Accra Archdiocese who concelebrated the Mass were Rev. Mgrs. Hilary Senoo, Pius Kpeglo, Hope Homeku, Vicar general of Keta-Akatsi; Very Rev. Fr. Francis Adoboli, Vicar General of Accra who represented Archbishop Charles Palmer-Buckle and Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Abbey Quaye, Assistant Secretary General of the National Catholic Secretariat.
The celebration was attended by a large number of lay faithful from the Ho Diocese and Religious including the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church (SMMC), relatives of Bishop Lodonu were also there in their numbers; Togbe Dagadu VIII, Paramount Chief of Akpini Traditional and Mamaga, Nkuoko Agbilisi, Queenmother of the Akpini Traditional Area.
Also present were Supreme Officers of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) of which Bishop Lodonu is the Supreme Spiritual Director. They were Major Gen. Sir Samuel Kofi Asubonteng, President; Brig. Gen. Peter C. Sangber-Dery, Second Vice; and Brig. Gen. Lawrence Lartey, Secretary; all of the Supreme Subordinate Commandery.
In his homily, Bishop Mante praised the efforts of Bishop Lodonu and called on the Priests, Religious and the lay faithful to emulate the humility of the Bishop by avoiding the temptations of sin which had reared its ugly head in society.
He admonished the about 10,000 faithful at the Grotto to endeavour to avoid things that could lead them to avarice, selfishness, pride, violence, human trafficking, felling of trees, drug abuse and the fraudulent ways of acquiring wealth.
He condemned same sex marriages which he said was abominable, asking the pilgrims to always seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary when temptations come their way.
Bishop Mante decried the poor relation Ghanaians had with the environment leading to its destruction, flood and pollution, noting that in spite of our sinful ways God never abandoned His children but welcomed and forgave them.
In a tribute to Bishop Lodonu, the Jasikan Bishop commended him for the many years of dedicated service to the Church, recalling
how he worked with Bishop Lodonu as his Secretary for two and half years.
Sharing his experience, Bishop Mante said he owed his Priesthood to Bishop Lodonu, saying that as a Priest he allowed him to become a Formator at the Seminary for six years.
He thanked Bishop Lodonu for his wise counsel and for supporting him in his Priesthood.
On his part, Bishop Adanuty shared his tight relationship with the Bishop, saying that to become a Prelate was challenging but God always fulfill his promise to those He chose to be leaders.
Describing Bishop Lodonu as a seasoned Prelate, Bishop Adanuty extolled him for allowing himself to be used by God in his Priestly and Episcopal Ministries, saying that his assistance to the Church was very much appreciated.
Presentations were made to Bishop Lodonu by the Jasikan and Keta-Akatsi Dioceses as well as Societies and individuals to support him in his retirement.
Responding, Bishop Lodonu thanked God for enabling him to lead the Diocese for the past 42 years and also thanked all – Priests, Religious and lay faithful-who had supported him throughout his service to the Diocese.
He said since he became Bishop in 1973, he had received nothing but love and inspiration from his Priests, Religious and lay faithful, stating that “I can feel your showers of mercy and forgiveness throughout my ministry.”
Bishop Lodonu told the gathering that “My clear message to you is what you have been able to do to me, enabling me to spend so many years among you, as your pastor and servant in the Lord’s Vineyard; I hope you will do the same to my successor, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu.
He pointed out that no one could make himself a Bishop, only God makes a Bishop but “the Bishop himself does not know how he became a Bishop of a Diocese.”
The Bishop Emeritus noted that one of the greatest Crosses laid upon a Priest was to become a Bishop; and therefore he needed the prayers, the co-operation, and the support of all God’s people whom he has to shepherd.
“My brothers and sisters, after over forty years living among you and serving you, I need your love, your mercy and your forgiveness. I also wish to assure you all that I have forgiven anybody who might have offended me,” he added.
Bishop Lodonu presented Citation to some Priests, Religious and the laity in appreciation of their support including, Mr. Edem Akordor, Director of the Ho Diocesan Laity Council and Mr. Anthony Nyamelegbe, who is in charge of Liturgy at the Sacred Heart Cathedral.
A song composed in honour of Bishop Lodonu by the Bishop Gbevivi Cultural troupe thrilled the gathering bringing the ceremony to a fitting end.
Bishop Lodonu (with Crosier) with Concelebrating Bishops, Priests and dignitaries
