Cape Coast Nov. 9, GNA - The Most Reverend Lucas Abandamloora, Catholic Bishop of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga diocese, on Sunday urged Christians to give the first Ghanaian Cardinal the necessary support and encouragement to enable him to fulfil his duties.

He said the elevation of Cardinal Turkson was a challenge to the church and the nation as a whole, and urged Christians, to ensure that the honour yielded results for the development of the church and state.

Bishop Abandamloora, made the call in a sermon at a thanksgiving Pontifical high mass in honour of Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson, at the St. Peter's Regional Seminary in Cape Coast, following his elevation. At the mass, were several dignitaries including the Nuncio to Ghana, His Excellency George Kocherry, Archbishops and Bishops from Ghana, Togo and Detroit, members of the Council of State, the diplomatic corps, and traditional rulers.

Also present and obviously proud of his son, was Mr Pius Turkson, 87-year-old father of the Cardinal and other members of his family. Bishop Abandamloora, who is also the Vice-President of the Catholic Bishop's Conference, observed that the Cardinal's elevation was in recognition of great works of the Catholic Church in Ghana, stressing that it had been "a long awaited honour to the country and an answer to the prayer of many Catholics".

He described the Cardinal as a loyal and orthodox pastor of the church and expressed the hope that he would exhibit greater leadership for the progress of the church in Ghana and beyond.

Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, Minister of Energy, on behalf of the government reiterated government's commitment to giving the Cardinal the necessary assistance and support that would enhance his work. There were solidarity messages from the Nuncio and the Catholic Bishop's Conference.

The Cardinal was presented with several gifts, in cash and kind, including 20 million cedis by the Catholic Bishop's Conference. Cardinal Turkson was among 30 Archbishops; Bishops and Priests elected by Pope John Paul II, in September and installed Cardinals on October 21, 2003.