Bishop Richard Kuuia Baawobr, a Ghanaian who is a Cardinal-designate, was chosen to lead the symposium of the Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).
According to Vatican News, the Bishop of Ghana's Catholic Diocese of Wa was chosen on Saturday, July 30, the eve of the Eucharistic celebration to celebrate the completion of the 19th Plenary Assembly of SECAM in Accra, the nation's capital, after being proclaimed a Cardinal on May 29.
Philippe Cardinal Ouedraogo, who has commanded SECAM since July 2019, is succeeded by Bishop Baawobr, 63.
Bishop Lucio Andrice Muandula of the Diocese of Xai-Xai, Mozambique, and Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Archdiocese of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) were both chosen as vice presidents with Bishop Baawobr. The next Consistory, which is slated for August 27, will establish 21 new Cardinals, including the Ghanaian Bishop, who was consecrated a Priest in July 1987.
Migration and security are two solid places to start
Bishop Baawobr declared after the vote that becoming SECAM President was a complete surprise.
"This is my first time attending an SECAM conference, therefore I was astonished that they elected me. At the same time, I am appreciative of their choice in me. For the time being, I cannot claim that these are my priorities, but I take it as a sign of their faith in me, he added.
"It's crucial that we first hear what the regional Episcopal Conferences have to say, thus it's a good thing that regional conferences make up our SECAM standing committee. Additionally, I think that the topic of Ownership of SECAM; Security and Migration in Africa and the Islands, which we covered in this Plenary, is an excellent place to start.
called to listen and serve
Pope Francis stated on May 29, 2022, that he will ordain new cardinals for the Church during a consistory slated for August 27, 2022. The Cardinal-designate, Bishop Baawobr, will be one of them. Bishop Baawobr responded to a question from Vatican News about what all these new assignments mean to him personally by saying that they are all a vocation to serve.
"I believe that all of this is a vocation to serve God via my brothers and sisters and by paying attention to them," said the Cardinal-elect.
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Bishop Richard Kuuia Baawobr, a Ghanaian who is a Cardinal-designate, was chosen to lead the symposium of the Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).
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