Sahakupaligu (N/R), Nov.15, GNA- The Most Reverend Philip Naameh, Catholic Archbishop of Tamale, has stated that Ministers of the church are not only preachers of the word but also peace makers, teachers and counsellors in their local communities.

He therefore urged ministers of the gospel to live beyond reproach by leading responsible lives to protect the image of the church and the gospel of Christ.

Archbishop Naameh was speaking at the 10th anniversary celebration of the establishment of the St. Augustine Millennium Major Seminary and the ordination of 12 deacons who had graduated from the seminary after seven years of study in philosophy at Sahakupaligu, a village near Tamale on Sunday.

St. Augustines Seminary was established in the year 2000 under difficult circumstances and the vision was pursued. The seminary has since passed out 200 seminarians with some of its students coming from the francophone countries, especially Burkina-Faso. Archbishop Naameh noted that of late, some ministers of the gospel had conducted themselves in ways that were scandalous and had brought the image of the church into disrepute.

These had lead to severe criticism of the church and its leaders in the media adding that it was a trend that was worrying and needed to be addressed.

The Archbishop said although some of the criticisms against the men of God were justified, some seemed to be deliberately exaggerated and wondered whether it was because of the positions in which they found themselves. He said despite the challenges facing the church, God in his wisdom would continue to raise men to serve society and to defend the truth for the welfare and progress of humanity.

Archbishop Naaameh said human society needs the priesthood so those in the calling should not allow themselves to become objects of negative criticisms.

He asked them to always pray and could draw strength from God. He said in today's world, leadership required a certain degree of knowledge and qualities and the ability to work as a team in providing community service.

Archbishop Naaameh urged the new deacons to "practice the spirit of self denial and self surrender" in order to discipline their senses and help them discern the will of God.

The Most Reverend Leo Kalenga, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, announced that the church would soon introduce a programme in French and English in the seminaries to ensure effective communication between students from the French and English speaking countries.

He urged the new deacons to lead the people they would be serving by example and not "lord it over them".

Mr. Sam Nasamu Asabigi, Deputy Northern Regional Minister, in a speech read for him, decried the activities of self-styled men of God who were destroying the moral fabric of society. He therefore urged the new seminarians to champion the cause of justice and help instil discipline in society adding, it would only be through such acts that the dubious self-styled men of God could be exposed. 15 Nov.10