The Catholic Bishop of the Wa Diocese, Most Rev. Francis Bomansaan M.Afr, dedicated a new ultramodern church edifice at the St. Augustine Parish in Bullenga-Chaggu on Thursday, October 16th.
The ceremony, held in the Wa East District of the Upper West Region, marked the largest-ever gathering of faithful and well-wishers at the parish. The celebration began with a joyous procession as the Bishop and all priests walked from the old church building to the new edifice, accompanied by the excited congregation.
This support was used to start the project, and I asked permission from then Bishop Richard Cardinal Kuuia Bawuubr to travel abroad to ask for help, and he permitted me
In his opening remarks, Parish Priest Rev. Fr. John Kpan acknowledged all present and paid tribute to his predecessors for their roles in “making the dream come through.”
He explained that the church was constructed with initial contributions from the parishioners and the wider Wa Diocese. He also noted that the late Cardinal Richard Kuuia Bawubr had permitted him to travel abroad to solicit further funds for the project.
“The building started with our local contributions as we levied members of Bulenga here, and also to our diocesans and Ghanaians to help us with support. This support was used to start the project, and I asked permission from then Bishop Richard Cardinal Kuuia Bawuubr to travel abroad to ask for help, and he permitted me”
He extended specific gratitude to several partner communities in the United States, including St. Francis Parish in Bakersfield, St. Claire Catholic Community in Three Rivers, St. Rita Parish in Tulare, and “more especially, St Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Bakersfield.”
Speaking on the sidelines, Fr. Kpan expressed his heartfelt thanks for the international support received by other parishes in the United States of America.
“Msgr Perry and his very wonderful Parishioners, The new church was completed in grand style, and we have been able to fully renovate the rectory. We are so very grateful to all individuals who generously supported us,” he said.
Bishop’s Message: Every Contribution Matters
In his address, Bishop Francis Bomansaan lauded the collective effort and called on all faithful to contribute to the development of the diocese, stressing that “there is no such contribution as insignificant.”
He used the new building as a powerful metaphor for unity, explaining that “one material couldn’t have built an edifice like this but for the combination of cement, sand, gravel, iron, wood, etc.”
The Bishop emphasised that just as those separate items created a beautiful structure, every person who helped, no matter their role, made a “significant contribution” to the shared dream.
I wish to use this opportunity to thank everyone for your efforts in contributing to this church building, as we are seated in it with excitement.
“I wish to use this opportunity to thank everyone for your efforts in contributing to this church building, as we are seated in it with excitement. Father Bosco Eledi, Father John Kpan and all the friends of John in the United States and also in Ghana, may God bless you all,” he added.
Bishop Bomansaan concluded by charging the congregation with the responsibility of stewardship, stating that every member “should hold it a duty to keep the church clean and nice.”
He shared a parable from another church opening, where a small child explained her contribution was bringing food to her father, a construction worker on the site. The Bishop affirmed this sense of ownership, noting that just as the little girl took credit for her part, “so should everyone present take credit for their contribution in getting the building completed.”
