… Most Rev. Philip Naameh

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Tamale, Most Rev. Philip Naameh has challenged members of the Noble Order of Knights and Ladies Auxiliary of St. John International (KSJI) to extend their works of charity to help mould the youth so as to enable them fight against vices that have become the moral fabric in society.

He emphatically talked about abortion, which he said the youth become more vulnerable and as such called for pragmatic efforts to guide and guard the youth to live worthy lives that would shape them to become responsible leaders in the future.

The Archbishop made the call when delivering his keynote address at the official opening ceremony of the fourth biennial convention of the Supreme Subordinate Commandery of KSJI, which consists of Ghana and Sierra Leone. The four-day convention, which was themed: “Evangelisation through Knighthood,” was attended by members of the Grand Commanderies of Togo, Liberia and Sierra Leone, recording about a thousand delegates and observers at the University for Development Studies, Nyankpala in the Northern Region. Supreme Officers from the United States of America as well as representatives from the London branch of the Order also participated in the convention. The Supreme Officers include, General Timothy Hoerst-Supreme President;

Lieutenant General Tom Zdanowicz-Supreme Secretary; Sister Iris Turner- Supreme Ladies Auxiliary Respected President and Sister Katty Moore- Supreme Ladies Auxiliary First Vice President. They were joined by Lietenant General Joseph William Biney-Supreme Second Vice President and Noble Sister Dame Josephine Sey-Supreme Ladies Auxiliary Second Vice President.

The opening ceremony was also attended by representatives of the Tamale Archdiocesan Knights and Ladies of Marshall and Tamale Archdiocesan Laity Council.

Most Rev. Naameh said a survey conducted some years back showed that about 65 percent of youth between the ages of 13 and 25 years were sexually active with more than one partner and that, about 98 percent out of that group always having their marriages ending on the rock when they got married.

He attributed the cause of such broken marriages to the fact that before they got married, they had multiple sexual partners and so see they spouses as one of those numerous bed mates and so they are not able to remain faithful to their spouses.

“It is sad to see all the things that are said about the use of human sexuality outside the intended programme of God. Our society promotes not only excessive and uncontrolled sex outside marriage but also the killing of God’s own creation in the act of abortion. Our youth in this context become most vulnerable, which need protection by you members of KSJI,” he noted. The Archbishop said an area, which likewise needs assistance of knighthood is the family life in a society, which promotes the culture of death, and indicated that through the sacrament of holy matrimony a man and wife who symbolize the never-ending love, which God has for his church, accept children as the greatest gift they could receive from God and therefore reflect not only the image of the trinity but also become the domestic church bringing up their children in prayer to discern the will of God for them.

Archbishop Naameh equally urged the knights and ladies of KSJI to enter the business world and to bring gospel values to bear on the natural instinct of greed, excessive accumulation of wealth and the adoration and cult of wealth so much even propagated men of honour today, saying, “in our social and economic responsibility, Pope Benedict XVI draws the attention of the responsibility of the rich towards the poor in his latest encyclical, Caritas in Veritate.”

The Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Moses Bukari Mabengba noted that the theme for the convention was painstakingly selected to reflect what is expected of today’s knights and ladies, stressing that unlike the past, there are no wars to be fought physically by the knights in defence of the church today, yet there are many wars to be fought spiritually to win souls for Christ.

He said the weapon of this spiritual war is not a sword but apostolic dynamism in the church, stressing that the type of dynamism, which gets the knight and lady actively involved in, is the lay apostle.

Mr. Mabegba maintained that a knight/lady inspires others to goodness, and that he/she should serve as a catalyst for development in the community.

The Deputy Regional Minister who is also a member of the Order said “our Patron Saint, John the Baptist began his evangelization work preaching and asking the people to repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. If we are knights and ladies of KSJI, what witness are we giving of ourselves? How far is our lifestyle pointing to Christ?”

He called on the group to learn to be charitable, truthful, honest and sincere and seek to influence positive social change in their lives and community. “We are informed that members of the Order are making positive contributions to their dioceses and parish councils. A lot more members are assuming leadership roles in their dioceses and parish councils. Others in politics like me. As we meet to take stock of our past achievements and plan ahead, for the future, we should not lose sight of our duty towards God and our neighbour. The youth of today look at to us for good moral character by our example.

“The afflicted, the poor, the sick and the needy look up to us for support and encouragement. The abandoned and neglected children look up to us for responsible parenthood,” he stated.

The Supreme President, General Timothy Hoerst commended Ghana for sustaining the Order for since its establishment some 72 years ago, saying that KSJI in Ghana is a force to reckon with.

He encouraged officers of the Order in Ghana to be more innovative in their quest to evangelise to the world so as to enable them expand their frontiers to other parts of the continent as they were instrumental in getting the London branch formed some 10 years ago.

General Hoerst who was very much impressive about the growth of the Order in the country and how members go about their programmes opined that KSJI Ghana’ KSJI is most mature that serves as leaders in Africa and hoped that together they can work for the Church in Ghana and the world as a whole.

The Supreme Subordinate President, Major General Sir Frederick K. Akwaboah said the leadership in Ghana and Togo were doing their best to establish branches in other French countries in the sub-region and even beyond.

Major General Akwaboah, who chaired the opening ceremony said just like the early missionaries came to evangelise in Ghana, members of the Noble Order are also doing their best to evangelise not only other people but themselves to be better Christians and better citizens of this country, so that others could draw inspiration from them and lead a few more people to Jesus Christ.

The Supreme Subordinate Ladies Auxiliary Respected President, Noble Justina Sister Dadzie said conventions offer them the opportunity to reflect and analyse their relationship with their brothers and sisters from Commanderies and auxiliaries.

She noted that the for the convention is therefore a clarion call for them to soberly reflect and evaluate their relationships, as well as take the opportunity to look at their growth and development, both socially and economically and likewise their relationship with God and with those around them. “It therefore challenges us, as the faithful people of the Church, to go out and proclaim the word by our actions, especially by our exemplary lives so as to draw people closer to God,” Sister Dadzie emphasized.

According to her, the presence of the Supreme Officers, which is the third time in the history of the Ghana’s KSJI, goes to affirm that Ghana’s KSJI has grown to a level that is capable of hosting Supreme Convention in the very near future.

Supreme Conventions have always been held at the United States of America, where the Supreme Commandery is based.

The Supreme Ladies Auxiliary Respected President, Noble Sister Iris Turner who had always wished to step foot on the African continent, said the knights and ladies in Ghana are doing marvellously that needs special commendation. She challenged knights and ladies of the Order to take up the responsibility of defending the Church and supporting the activities of the Church and live exemplary lives that would win souls for Christ.