“Smell like sheep” – Archbishop Buckles
by Kofi Ayim
The Most Reverend Charles Gabriel Palmer Buckle, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Accra, Ghana has urged Ghanaian Catholic academia in the Diaspora to come home to at least assist a semester or two in any one of the Catholic universities in Ghana. The affable religious leader made this pronouncement November 29 during the 15th anniversary celebrations of the Ghanaian Catholic Community of the St Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Newark, New Jersey. Archbishop Palmer Buckle challenged Ghanaians to bring their intelligence and expertise to help develop Ghana. He reiterated the need for continual support of brethren back home because there is light at the end of the road.
Preaching the sermon on good Christian virtues, the multilingual Man of God urged the congregation to, among other things, not only forgive their neighbors, but also learn to forgive themselves.
At a reception, the Archbishop told the crowd that at a meeting of Ghanaian Bishops and Pope Francis at the Vatican in September, the Holy See charged them (the Bishops) to smell like their Sheep. Archbishp Buckles inferred that he wants to smell like his flock of sheep.“You can only smell like your sheep if you are regularly among them,” he said. Palmers Buckles paid glowing tribute to Father Philip Waters and the entire leadership of the Church. He also showered praises on the Ghanaian church community for the diversity of ethnicity exhibited at the Prayers of the Faithful during the Holy Mass. “Our diversity make us unique not only in Ghana but Africa” he remarked. He urged parents to instill and encourage in their children to do nothing but the best for themselves and their community.
In a pre fundraising introductory remark Dr. Zachary A. Yamba, event Chairperson pointed out that besides evangelism, the Catholic community has an obligation to support the St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish. He suggested that Ghanaians have bigger responsibilities to never forget the people back home. “We are called to service and we must realize the sacrifice people had made for us to be where we are today,” he added. He enumerated the role played by the Catholic Church in Ghana’s educational system and observed that Catholic education can never be underestimated . He doffed his hat for the positive impact and educational development of the five Northern Catholic Diocese in Ghana. Present at the event were Mr. Philbert Johnson, Ghana’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Beyeeman Nana Gyansare V, Piankohene of Akwamu, Nana Danso Frimpong Bosofourhene Mampong, Asante and other royalties and dignitaries.