Yendi (N/R), Nov. 13, GNA - Catholic Bishops have congratulated Pete= r cardinal Appiah Turkson, Archbishop of Cape Coast, on his elevation as th= e President of the President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peac= e. In a communiqu=E9 issued at Yendi at the end of the week-long annual=

plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Ghana, the Bishop= s assured Cardinal Turkson of their support and prayers. "He has been present with us for the duration of this meeting prior to his imminent departure to take up his appointment in Rome. We assure him of our prayers and support. "We praise and thank God for this favour done to an illustrious son of Ghana." The Bishops recalled that Cardinal Turkson was the Realtor General o= f the recently concluded Synod on Africa in Rome. In that capacity, the Bishops said, he helped set the tone for the Synod and directed its affairs with commendable efficiency to the end. The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace is the Vatican Office charged with ensuring that justice and peace are strengthened in accordan= ce with the gospel and the social teaching of the Church, in the world. The Bishops thanked God for hearing their prayers for successful parliamentary and presidential elections and once again congratulated Professor John Evans Atta Mills for becoming President of the Republic of=

Ghana. They also commended the political parties and all candidates who sto= od for election in 2008 as well as the people of Ghana for their role in the=

successful elections. The Bishops called upon all and sundry to cooperate with the governm= ent and be patient as it implemented its programmes for the good of Ghana. "Let us continue to discuss and offer constructive ideas that will h= elp build our nation while avoiding all negative language and insults," the communiqu=E9 said. The Conference was on the theme: "Church in Ghana at the Service of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace."