BY: Daniel Orlando | Voltaonlinegh.com |
The Catholic Diocese of Ho has unveiled a bust in honour of Most Rev. Francis Anani Kofi Lodonu, the longest-serving Catholic Bishop in the Volta region.
The ceremony took place at St. Aloysius Catholic Church at Gbi-Atabu near Hohoe, the home parish of the now retired bishop, as part of his 50th Episcopal anniversary celebration.
The event was attended by priests, religious individuals, and faithful from the Catholic Diocese of Ho, as well as the Volta and Oti Regions, where Bishop Lodonu served as a Catholic bishop for over 40 years.
Rev. Fr. Dr. Azarias Benuyenah Schueller celebrated the Thanksgiving Mass, with Rev. Msgr. Joseph Nsiah, the Vicar General of the Jasikan Diocese, and over 30 priests in attendance.
During the Mass, Rev. Msgr. Joseph Nsiah delivered a homily, praising Bishop Lodonu’s dedication and likening him to a biblical shepherd. He commended the Bishop’s evangelization efforts and expressed gratitude for the individuals who were inspired to join the priesthood through his influence.
Bishop Lodonu expressed gratitude to God and everyone present, emphasising that his appointment as a Bishop was a result of divine calling rather than personal qualities. He urged the youth to take responsibility for the Church’s well-being.
Born on November 19, 1937, in Gbi-Atabu Hohoe, Bishop Emeritus Francis Anani Kofi Lodonu is the twelfth and youngest child of Mr. Emmanuel Koku Allala-Lodonu and Madam Akosua Lodonu. He was ordained a priest on May 18, 1964, and later became the Titular Bishop of Mascula on May 14, 1973, before being consecrated as a bishop on June 29, 1973, by Pope Paul VI.
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.comÂ
