By Paschal Norbert
ACCRA, FEBRUARY 28,2023 (CISA)- The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has urged the faithful to work towards peace and reconciliation during the Lenten Season through participating in a corporate act of penance and reconciliation in seeking God’s mercy and favour as they prepare for the celebration of Easter.
In a Pastoral Letter themed “A Grace-Filled Time to Seek Peace and Reconciliation with God and Neighbour,” the bishops called on the citizens of Ghana and the Catholic faithful in particular “to intensify their life of prayer, fasting, and good works and also avail themselves for the sacrament of penance and reconciliation in this season of Lent.”
“Lenten spirituality is combative, a struggle against evil and sinful inclinations. In this season, we need to carry out the combat against evil and sinful inclinations every day. Some of these challenges we need to nip in the bud, among others include: bribery, corruption, greed, armed robbery, destruction of the environment, murders, violence and intimidation. Using the weapons of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, we must face the struggle to overcome these evil and sinful inclinations in our lives each day, particularly, in this holy Season so as to dwell in the mercy of God,” the bishops implored.
While calling for an end to the raging conflicts in the world, the bishops stated that the Bawku Chieftaincy Conflict in the Upper East Region of Ghana is still a major concern for the conference, which fills them with sorrow and grief.
“As we continue to pray for God’s definitive intervention in these conflict situations, we call on all Catholics and other Christians as well as our Muslim brothers and sisters and indeed all people of faith and goodwill to join us to continue to offer prayers and petitions to God within this special Season and beyond for an end to these conflicts and wars. We must intensify our prayers for an end to these wars and conflict situations in the hope that with God all things are possible,” the bishops stated.
In the pastoral letter, the bishops also prayed for the soul of Ghanaian International footballer Christian Atsu, who lost his life in the Turkey-Syria disaster and the victims of the earthquake, which has so far claimed over 50,000 lives.
