Bishop Attakruh honoured for inspiring homily at African Catholic Cultural Celebration in Belgium ⁰

The Catholic Diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi in Ghana was proudly represented in Antwerpen, Belgium, as His Lordship Bishop John Baptist Attakruh joined the Anglophone African Catholic Community for a special celebration of cultural diversity, heritage, faith and unity.

The celebration, held on Sunday, 30 August, brought together a mammoth gathering of Africans and friends of the community from different countries, united by their common Catholic faith and shared cultural heritage. Bishop Attakruh was in Belgium at the special invitation of the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Callistus Uzoma Okponenwu, whose pastoral ministry has continued to play an important role in helping Africans in Belgium remain connected to their faith and the Roman Catholic Church.

In a rich and inspiring homily, Bishop Attakruh called on Africans in the diaspora to remain united and to see themselves as one people, regardless of their different nationalities, languages and cultural backgrounds.

He also encouraged the faithful to remain steadfast in their Catholic faith and to continue to uphold the values of the Holy Roman Catholic Church wherever they find themselves.

The Bishop’s message resonated strongly with the congregation, particularly at a time when African communities across Europe are increasingly seeking ways to preserve their cultural identity while remaining firmly rooted in their Christian faith.

The celebration attracted participants from beyond Belgium. Among those present were members of the Swords Centre African Chaplaincy of the Archdiocese of Dublin, Ireland, as well as members of the Cameroon Catholic Community in Mülheim, Germany. Their presence added an international dimension to an occasion that demonstrated the strength and unity of the African Catholic family in Europe.

The gathering was not only a celebration of culture and heritage but also a powerful expression of Christian fellowship. Africans from different countries came together as brothers and sisters, demonstrating that the Catholic faith can serve as a strong bridge across national and cultural boundaries.

The Chairman of the Organising Committee, Alhaji Moses Nji Ndeh, expressed profound appreciation to Bishop Attakruh for honouring the invitation and for contributing so meaningfully to the success of the celebration.

He praised the Bishop for his inspiring presence, his powerful homily and his message of unity, faith and solidarity among Africans in the diaspora. He also extended his gratitude to everyone who contributed to making the event a memorable occasion.

Special commendation was also given to Rev. Fr. Callistus Uzoma Okponenwu, whose dedication to the pastoral needs of Africans in Belgium continues to provide an important source of spiritual support and encouragement.

Through his ministry, Fr. Callistus has helped create opportunities for Africans to come together, celebrate their cultures and, most importantly, strengthen their relationship with the Roman Catholic Church. His commitment to keeping the African faithful connected to the Church and to one another deserves recognition and appreciation.

The Anglophone African Catholic Community in Antwerpen therefore extends its heartfelt gratitude to Bishop John Baptist Attakruh for being part of this great celebration. His presence, fatherly guidance and rich homily left a lasting impression on the faithful and gave renewed meaning to the celebration of African unity, heritage and faith.

The community also expresses sincere appreciation to Rev. Fr. Callistus Uzoma Okponenwu for his tireless efforts in supporting Africans in Belgium and helping them remain strong in their Catholic faith.

The celebration ultimately stood as a reminder that, despite geographical distances and differences in nationality, faith, culture and unity can bring Africans together as one family in Christ.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai on special assignment in Antwerpen