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The Sekondi-Takoradi Catholic Diocese has climaxed a year-long Golden Jubilee celebration with a grand durbar and gratitude to all believers who sacrificed to win more souls for Christ in fulfilment of the great commission.

The durbar, held at the Star of the Sea Catholic Cathedral in Takoradi, brought together Catholic faithful, priests and bishops from the various outstations, deaneries and parishes of the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese on the theme: "Arise, Catholic Faithful, Let Us Build Together".

The Most Reverend John Bonaventure Kwofie, the Catholic Archbishop of Accra, in a keynote address, commended priests, religious and laypeople for their selfless dedication to serve the Diocese since its creation in 1969.

He paid unending tribute to the gallant shepherds namely the Most Rev. Joseph Amihere Essuah, the first Bishop, Most Rev. Charles Kweku Sam, and Most Rev. John Martin Darko, for their contribution to the growth of the Diocese.

Most Rev. Bonaventure Kwofie also paid tribute to the missionaries who planted the Catholic Church in Ghana to preach the gospel of Christ.

The Most Rev. Philip Naameh, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Tamale and President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, said ever since its creation, the Diocese had been faithful to its divine mandate of evangelisation.

He admitted that the numerous socio-economic and developmental programmes such as the building of schools, hospitals and orphanages were ample testimony of how resolved the Diocese was to following the examples of Christ.

Most Rev. Naameh thanked God for the good works of the pioneering Bishops, priests, catechists, laymen and women who continued to play active roles in evangelisation.

He reminded the Diocese to reflect on the theme of the Jubilee Year as a period of renewal and reawakening by continuing to renew and rekindle their faith.

In a Goodwill message, the Rev. Msgr. Pavol Talapka, the Apostolic Nuncio in Ghana, asked the Diocese to be steadfast in the great commission and win more souls for Christ.

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast, the Most Rev. Charles Palmer-Buckle, said the Archdiocese of Cape Coast, from which the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese was carved, would continue to strengthen the bond of love and collaboration and strengthen the common pastoral and ecclesiastical discipline.