The Ghana Chapter of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) was officially inaugurated by the Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, at a solemn ceremony held on the 12th floor of Parliament’s Job 600 Office complex.
The event saw the presence of several distinguished guests, including members of the Catholic Bishops Conference, Reverend Fathers, Sisters, and Lay Faithful.
The ICLN, established in 2010, aims to educate, empower, and connect a new generation of courageous Christian leaders who serve in or for public office while navigating a multi-faceted and crisis-ridden world. It operates as a powerful convening platform, bringing together Christian leaders worldwide, regardless of their political affiliations.
The Ghana Chapter’s inauguration took place during a solemn Holy Eucharistic celebration on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, presided over by the Bishop of Koforidua, Most Rev. Joseph Kwaku Afrifah-Agyekum, along with other prominent Bishops, including Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, Most Rev. Samuel Nkuah-Boateng, Bishop of Sefwi-Wiawso, and Most Rev. Gabriel Charles Palmer-Buckle, Archbishop of the Cape Coast Diocese, who delivered the Homily.
During his address, the Speaker of Parliament emphasized the Ghanaian Chapter’s significance, stating that it will symbolize unity and moral integrity. He highlighted the importance of supporting Catholic and other Christian leaders in public office, guiding them to integrate their faith teachings while carrying out their duties with love and integrity.
“We will actively support Catholic and other Christians in elected office, along with all members in public service, in integrating the teachings of our faith as we discharge our duties, doing small things with great love.”
“These are challenging times, where faith often finds itself in the crosshairs of societal change. We live in an age where the lines between right and wrong, moral and immoral. ethical and unethical, are continually blurred. Our mission here is clear, but the path is fraught with challenges. It requires courage, wisdom, and an unyielding commitment to our faith and values,” he said.
Acknowledging the challenges faced in a rapidly changing society, where the lines between right and wrong, moral and immoral, ethical and unethical, are often blurred, the Speaker stressed the Chapter’s mission to uphold faith and values with courage and wisdom.
He recognized the weight of responsibility that comes with inaugurating the Ghana Chapter of ICLN, emphasizing the call to action and the need to stay true to faith and principles. The Speaker urged the participants to be leaders, not just in name but in deed, drawing inspiration from those who have gone before and exemplified the values they hold dear.
“It is with a sense of profound responsibility that we inaugurate the Ghana Chapter of the International Catholic Legislators Network. It is not a task we take lightly, for the challenges are many, and the stakes are high The ICLN’s mission transcends politics and touches the very soul of our society. It is a call to action, a call to be true to ourselves, to our faith, and to our principles. It is a call to be leaders, not just in name but in deed. As we embark on this journey, we must remember that we are not alone. We stand on the shoulders of giants, the great men and women who have gone before us, who have shown us the way, who have lived the values we espouse.”
The launch of the Ghana Chapter marks a significant step in promoting moral leadership and cooperation among Christian legislators, transcending politics and contributing to the betterment of society as a whole.
