...Suspended For Disobeying Vows Of Celibacy

The Wa Catholic Diocese has indefinitely suspended a Catholic Priest for disobeying the vows of celibacy. Rev Fr Linus Mino is alleged to have impregnated a hairdresser in Wa. He is also reported to have disobeyed the Catholic Bishop and officials of the Diocese.

As his punishment, Rev Fr Mino has also been barred from celebrating Mass in any of the Catholic Churches in the Diocese and would not be allowed to hear confession from any member of the congregation. In addition, he would not be allowed to perform any priestly duties.

The Catholic Bishop of Wa Diocese, Most Rev Paul Bemile told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that Rev Father Linus Mino has for the past two years violated the vows of celibacy and several warnings to him yielded no results. "He has obstinately disobeyed the offices of the Bishop and went ahead to violate the vow of celibacy which is unacceptable'', Bishop Bemile added. The suspension is to enable the priest to reflect and reform. Bishop Bemile said ''we shall not hesitate to take him back in our fold" if he concedes his mistakes and turns over a new leaf. "We did a lot to change him, even by transferring him far away from Wa, but that did not help him and right now we have no other option than the decision taken".

The GNA’s investigations revealed that the Rev Fr travelled with the lady anytime he was going out of the region and even when he was transferred to Lawra Parish, he had an affair with the lady who visited him regularly. The priest could however, not be traced for his comments as he was said to have travelled out of town. The latest suspension of another Catholic priest raises questions on the observance of the vow on celibacy.