Accra, Dec. 10, GNA - The Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra on Sunday urged Christians to rededicate themselves to the teachings of Christ by refraining from their crooked and corrupt ways.

Most Rev. Palmer-Buckle was speaking at a Thanksgiving Mass to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Society of African Missions (SMA) at the Queen of Peace Parish, Madina in Accra. The Missions, founded by Bishop Melchoir Marion de Bresillac in 1856 in Lyon, France, were responsible for the planting and growth of the Catholicism in Ghana, especially in the regions south of the Volta River and the Lake.

Most Rev. Palmer-Buckle charged Christians to avoid rough attitudes when dealing with others and rather be humble and selfless in whatever they do.

He said Christians should remain devoted and steadfast in the face of all difficulties and challenges and have hope in God's promises. The Archbishop also urged the people to bury their pride and prepare for the second coming of Jesus Christ who he said would be the judge of our lives.

Most Rev. Palmer-Buckle also commended the SMA for its fortitude in bringing the message of Jesus Christ to the Gold Coast despite the difficulties the early missionaries went through in building churches and starting Catholic schools across the colony. He challenged the Catholic faithful and missionaries to learn from the experiences of the SMA and extend and complete their work of evangelization.

" It is now ours to face the new challenges with the same zeal and confidence in the same God who crowned the work of the SMA missionaries with success" he added.

He further said the history of the Catholic Church in Southern Ghana could not be complete without selfless contribution of the SMA, while that of the Northern Ghana be credited to the white missionaries. Very Rev. Father Hope Klutse, Regional Superior of the SMA said the missionaries were celebrating 150 years of existence, and 120 years of continues presence in Ghana and 50 and 52 years of priesthood of some of the SMA priest in the country.

He said the early missionaries who came to the Gold Coast were not here to colonize the people but to evangelize to Ghanaians. Young French and later Dutch SMA missionaries had sacrificed their lives, evangelized and planted the Catholic Church in Ghana. Very Rev. Fr. Klutse appeal to Catholics to support SMA to builds a residence in Accra to help with its missionary work.

Three priests who worked with the SMA as missionaries were honoured for their long serviced to the Church.

They included Father Peter Bootsma and Father Jeff Crammers served 52 years each and Father Harrie Hoof, who served for 50 years as priest.

Present at the function was the Minister for National Security, Mr Francis Poku and Alhaji Amadu Sorogho, MP for Abokobi/Madina.