The vacuum created at the Catholic diocese of Sunyani after the death of the Most Rev. Bishop James Kwadwo Owusu on December 28, 2001 in a motor accident on his way from Accra has now been filled.

Most Rev Msgr. Matthew Gyamfi, 45, was elected to occupy the position as the new Catholic bishop of the diocese.

The Archbishop of Kumasi, Rev. Peter Akwasi Sarpong, performed the episcopal ordination.

Bishop Sarpong, delivering his ordination sermon, indicated that Bishop Gyamfi is a direct successor of the Apostle whom Jesus Christ commanded "to teach people, to sanctify them in truth and to give them spiritual nourishment."

According to him, every bishop is united in body with the Pope and the other bishops for the instruction and direction of the universal word.

"You are advised to have special concern for members of the church who are not catered for by the ordinary pastoral ministry of the parochial liturgy."

This group, according to Archbishop Sarpong, is the many migrants, refugees, street children and people on holidays.

"To be a responsive Bishop you should always be ready to listen to them and cultivate an atmosphere of easy familiarity with them, thus facilitating the pastoral work with your entire diocese," he added.