The Most Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, has bemoaned the level of pretense, and what he described as ambiguity of sin, saying that it had characterized Christianity in recent times.
He pointed out that the attitude of many Christians did not reflect in their lives, adding that the excessive prayer, fasting and all spiritual activities would be meaningless if they did not reflect in the lives of the believer.
Most Rev. Asante expressed these sentiments in a sermon at a solemn but colourful service held in Cape Coast, to induct Rt. Rev. Ebenezer Kwamina Abaka- Wilson into office as the new Bishop of the Cape Coast Diocese of the Methodist Church
The Induction followed the election of Rt. Rev. Abaka-Wilson as bishop at a representative session of a Synod meeting held in August this year.
The 55-year old immediate past Synod Secretary of the Diocese for the past five years, took over from Rt. Rev. Nicholas Asane, who retired this year.
Most Rev. Asante observed that the current generation of Christians were losing the zeal with which the former generation worked, and reminded them that Christians were called to direct, lead, teach and proclaim the word of God, and that the expression of Christianity should go beyond the fa?ade.
He juxtaposed Christianity with the biblical fig tree, and stressed that Christians who did not bear fruits for God, would be cut down.
He observed that many Christians these days placed their faith in the traditions of the church, instead of God, and urged churches to re-examine their religious practices, and ensure that the good aspects were not lost.
Rt. Rev. Ebenezer Abakah, the last of 14 children of his parent, is a royal of the Agona Nyakrom Anona Clan, and an heir to the paramount stool of the Agona Nyarkrom Traditional Area.
He completed Agona Swedru School of Business in 1980, and had to abondon his course mid- stream, whilst studying privately after the GCE ?A? Level Examinations in 1982, to answer the call to Ministry.
He had a three-year Theological Training from the Trinity Theological Seminary at Legon, and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Cape Coast, a Master?s Degree in Educational Administration and Management from Winneba.
Rt. Rev Abaka-Wilson who is a former Superintendent Minster of the Cape Coast Circuit of the Methodist Church, is married to the Assistant Headmistress- Administration of the Oguaa Secondary Technical School in Cape Coast, with three sons.
He was given a Bible, the Constitution and Standing Orders of the Church, a pastoral staff, pectoral cross, a ring , other insignia of episcopal office, and later robed in a bishop’s regalia, and charged to adhere to the rules of the Church, let the word of God inform his heart, and to protect the flock of God.
The ceremony was characterized by a blend of traditional and religious authorities, as both were adorned in their respective regalia with their various symbols of authority to complement.
Political leaders, notably Vice President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah Arthur, who owes alliance to the Cape Coast Diocese, Madam Ama Benyiwa Doe, former Central Regional Minister, and Papa Owusu Ankomah, former Minister of the Interior, were present at the service.
GNA
