The Anglican Diocese of Cape Coast has ordained the first-ever female priest for the diocese since its creation out of the then Accra Diocese in 1981.
Rev. Mrs Vida Gyabeng Frimpong is the first woman to be appointed, trained and ordained priest by the diocese.
The well-attended ceremony, which was graced by family members, friends and well-wishers, as well as priests and catechists within the diocese also saw the ordination of Rev. Oheneba Ogyabea Onoma-Ehuren as a priest as well.
Both priests had their theological training at the Saint Nicholas Theological College in Cape Coast.
Ordination rites
At the ceremony at the St James Anglican Church in Agona Swedru, the Diocesan Bishop, Rt Rev. Dr Victor Reginald Atta-Baffoe, charged the new priests to offer selfless and dedicated service that would draw more people to Christ.
He implored them to be obedient to God since it was the only way they would be successful and overcome all hurdles and challenges that might come their way in the performance of their priestly duties.
He urged them to remain faithful to God in the performance of their priestly duties irrespective of the challenges that they might be confronted with since God who had called them into His ministry would not forsake them.
He cautioned them against self-aggrandisement in their work but that they should always work to the glory of God, stressing that “you have been called to serve God and mankind and not for self-glorification”.
He added that although it is hard to work for God, the Lord who had called them would not abandon them but would be with them to win more souls for Him.
He further urged them to be mindful of their priestly calling and exhibit lives worthy of emulation by particularly unbelievers, saying “you must lead lives that will always draw people to God’s kingdom”,
Sermon
Delivering the sermon, Rev. Canon Charles A. Ekyem admonished the new priests to let their light shine wherever they would find themselves and lead lives that would positively impact their congregation.
He said “just like the Prophet Isaiah, you have been better equipped as part of your training to preform your roles diligently and effectively to the ultimate glory of God”.
He further urged them to believe in God’s gospel, practise what they preach to increase their level of spirituality so as to win more souls into the Christian faith, adding that “what God expect from you is to lead lives that will draw more people into the Christian faith”.
Challenging task
Rev Frimpong, in an interview, said although the task ahead was very challenging, she would always seek the face of God to enable her to succeed in the discharge of her duties.
She said “I believe that my ordination as the first female priest for the diocese will obviously attract more women to work towards the growth and development of the Kingdom of God,” stressing “I wish to call on the youth in particular to avail themselves to be used to transform the society.”