Sunson, Sept. 9, GNA - The second Diocesan Pastoral Assembly of the Catholic dioceses of Yendi has been held at the Sunson St. Martins Pastoral Centre in the Yendi Municipal Assembly of the Northern Region. Diocesan officers of the church from Yendi, Bimbilla, Chamba, Tatale, Ngani, Sambuli, Saboba and Chamba are attending the anniversary. Delivering his keynote address on the topic, "Ten years of Grace: A Reflection", the Bishop of Yendi, The Most Rev. Vincent Sowah Boi-Nai, commended the priests, brothers, sisters and the lay faithfully for their dedication, hard work and collaboration in sharing in the vision and mission of the Yendi Diocese since its creation ten years ago . Bishop Boi-Nai called on members of the church to let their light shine as Christians wherever they may be.

He stressed on the need for them to commit themselves whole heartedly to the fight against child abuse, and outmoded customs that do not promote the dignity of the human person. Bishop Boi-Nai pointed out that accusations about witchcraft, widowhood rites, and polygamy must all be condemned in the Christian society.

He stated that the mission of the laity in the world requires them to have a good intellectual, doctrinal and spiritual preparation. Bishop Boi-Nai said the theme for the celebration, "Reviewing Our Vision and Mission for the Past Decade of Existence, a Way forward in Evangelization in the diocese of Yendi is very appropriate. Touching on the achievement of the church, Bishop Boi-Nai cited education, health, agriculture, socio-economic services, and women in development. In addition, the church has opened a number of kindergarten and junior high schools, three clinics at Tatale, Sambuli, and Chamba, as well as an providing an optical centre, and a sheanut factory in Yendi, with women's groups producing quality sheabutter in the diocese. Bishop Boi-Nai noted that since the establishment of the diocese in 1999, peace building has been one of the church's pastoral priorities in the diocese.

He said about three years ago, a 30-member Yendi peace committee made up of the Andani and Abudu families was inaugurated to promote peaceful co-existence in Dagbon, thereby creating an environment where people could freely interact with one another. During questions and clarifications time, the delegates appealed to the Roman Catholic Church to put in place a peacebuilding committee at Bawku involving the Kusasis and Mamprusi ethnic groups, with the help of Bishop Boi-Nai to promote peaceful co-existence. They also appealed for the resumption of a social communication programme by the church on Radio Savanna to carry out the Church's educational programmes.