By Linet Maina
ACCRA, JULY 5, 2024, (CISA) – Catholic Bishops in Ghana have lauded outgoing Apostolic Nuncio Henryk Jagodziński for his unwavering dedication and steadfast commitment to the Church in Ghana, calling him a beacon of grace and compassion and fine diplomat.
“His excellency has been a beacon of grace and compassion, tirelessly working to strengthen the bond between the Holy See and our local church communities. His diplomatic finesse coupled with his deep spiritual insight has guided the church in Ghana through both challenging and triumphant times and he has always done this with a vision of peace and fraternity,” said Bishop Matthew Gyamfi, the president of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) during a farewell and thanksgiving Mass for the nuncio held on July 2 at Christ the King Parish in Accra, Ghana.
In the Mass presided over by Cardinal Peter Turkson, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, Archbishop Henryk Mieczysław Jagodziński was commended by the bishops for the profound wisdom he portrayed during his tenure. They recognised his organisation and supervision of the appointment of six bishops was not an easy task.
Under his stewardship, the Ghana prelates noted that they “witnessed remarkable strides in dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect among the different religious and societal groups.”
“We thank you for your exemplary service and leadership, your unwavering hope, your humanness, and your ability to approach and correct in a fraternal humble way. You have had an impact on the lives of individuals and the Church in Ghana may God bless you abundantly with his choices, graces and all your future endeavours,” stated Bishop Gyamfi.
He added, “We also extend our heartfelt prayers and best wishes as he embarks on a new chapter of his mission, new pastoral ground. Though he may no longer be living among us his legacy will continue to inspire and guide us as he strives to build the world and a church rooted in justice, compassion and solidarity.”
Archbishop Jagodziński, the new papal diplomat to South Africa and Lesotho was born in Małogoszcz, Poland, on January 11, 1969, and was ordained a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Kielce on June 3, 1995.
The graduate in Canon Law who speaks English, Polish, Croatian, French, Italian, Russian, and Spanish entered the Holy See’s Diplomatic Service in July 2001. He has subsequently served in the Pontifical Representations in Belorussia, in Croatia, at the Section for Relations with the States of the Secretariate of State, at the Apostolic Nunciature in India, and in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Cardinal Turkson who gave the homily at the Mass requested the papal diplomat to keep Ghana in his prayers: “Your Excellency as you leave for South Africa we pray that you find a Church trustworthy whose ministers and people are trustworthy before the Lord and before God’s people and we commend the Church that you leave in Ghana to your prayers that we be found trustworthy before God and before his people.”
