The Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. Charles Palmer-Buckle, has advised the 2nd bishop of Keta-Akatsi Diocese, Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumorji, SVD to stay in touch with the Lord his God.
He added that the new bishop must always listen to Him in prayer and meditate on His word for directions.
He said this in a homily during the installation of Bishop Kumorji, SVD, as the 2nd Bishop of the diocese with a strong Catholic population of over a million.
He succeeds Bishop Anthony Adanuty, who retired at the age of 75.
Thousands of Catholics from across the diocese barely a fortnight ago witnessed the installation, which was characterized with display of rich culture of the people of Anlo.
The installation was witnessed by the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Rev. Jean Marie Speich, Archbishops of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, Papal Knights and Dames in Ghana, traditional and political leaders as well as Catholic faithfuls in and out of the diocese.
“It is he, the Word of God and the Son of God, the One through whom all came to be, including the Diocese of Keta-Akatsi itself, its priests and religious, the faithful people of God, old men and women, young ones and children, its historical and cultural riches, its spiritual wealth and what have you; all that has and had been preordained by God his Father, entrusted to the authority of Christ Jesus as Lord and Saviour, the Eternal High Priest and Shepherd, and today is being entrusted to you,” said Archbishop Palmer-Buckle.
He added that God calls us to embrace His will and His divine plan for the Church in Keta-Akatsi.
He, however, asked Christians to allow God to make of them new creations by reconciling us to Himself in Christ.
The Accra archbishop called on the priest and religious to support their Bishop to shepherd the flock of their diocese and also admonished the faithful to grant the new Bishop all the support he will need to deliver.
The Apostolic Nuncio announced that Bishop Kumorji, SVD, has been appointed by the Holy Father, Pope Francis as the Apostolic Administrator of the Apostolic Vicar of Donkorkrom, a place he shepherded for 10 years.
Bishop Kumorji, SVD, in a speech expressed his thanks to Pope Francis for the confidence reposed in him and promised to be a good shepherd for Christ’s flock.
He also called for unity among the faithful to seek for the progress of the diocese.
“I will continue all the work started by the 1st bishop of the diocese, Bishop Adanuty,” said Bishop Kumorji.
The Keta-Akatsi diocese was formally part of Keta-Ho Diocese. It was erected on the 19th of December, 1994 but was formally announced by the Papal Nuncio to Ghana, His Excellency Most Reverend Andre Dupuy at a press conference in Accra on Friday 17th March 1995 under the chairmanship of Most Rev. Francis Anani Kofi Lodonu. Until now, the diocese has over twenty parishes.
Bishop Gabriel Edoe Kumordji SVD was born on the 24th March 1956 in Accra. He is the fifth son of Leonard and Severina Kumordji. He had his primary school at Sacred Heart Parish in Accra and middle school at Mamprobi Sempe 7 at Mamprobi in Accra.
He started his priestly formation in 1976 at St. Victor’s Major Seminary in Tamale doing philosophy studies. He then joined the noviate of the Society of Divine Word (SVD) in 1979 and professed the first vows on 8 September 1980 at St. George’s Parish in Koforidua Diocese. After one year of pastoral experience in the Diocese of Sunyani he took is final vow on 8 September 1984 at Sacred Heart Parish in Derby Avenue, Accra. He was ordained priest by Most Rev. Dominic Andoh, the than Archbishop of Accra, on 14 july 1985 at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Accra.
Bishop Kumorji, SVD, served as an Assistant Parish Priest from 1985-1989 at St. Augustine Parish, Asesewa in the Eastern Region by then Accra Archdiocese. He was Pastor of St. Maria Goretti parish at battor from 1989-1991. He then went to study at Loyola University in Chicago USA from 1991-1993 where he obtained Masters in Pastoral Studies and Post Graduate Certificate in Religious Formation from St. Louis University in Missiouri.
In 1993, he was appointed Director of Formation for SVD students and lectured in Pastoral Theology, Homiletic, Pastoral Counseling and Missiology at St. Victor’s Major Seminary in Tamale from 1993-2001. He again went for studies in Los Angeles from 2001 to 2005 where he acquired Master’s Degree and PhD in Inter- Cultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.
On June 22, 2005, Bishop Gabriel Kumordji was elected and appointed the Provincial Superior of the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD). He was also elected the President of the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious Men in Ghana.
On 12th June 2007, he was appointed Apostolic Prefect of Donkorkrom. On 19th January 2010 when the Prefecture of Donkorkrom was elevated to an Apostolic Vicariate he was appointed the first Apostolic Vicar with Episcopal character. Until his appointment as Bishop-elect of the Keta- Akatsi, Bishop Kumordji was the Apostolic Vicar of Donkorkrom.
By Augustus Aikins|Akatsi, Ghana