"The
Kingdom of Ashanti is one of the most powerful and influential pre-colonial
states in West Africa, whose capital is Kumasi," reports Father K. René D.
Yao, of the Society for African Missions (SMA). Since its founding in 1856, the
SMA has established missions in different parts of Africa, including the
Kingdom of Ashanti in Ghana. "The contribution of the SMA among this
ancient population can be seen in their work of evangelization and education -
adds the missionary. The SMA fathers have worked in the region to improve
people's living conditions and spread the message of Christianity. They set up
schools and health services". Among the most salient results Father Yao
points out the establishment of the St. Hubert seminary in Kumasi, founded in 1948
to train African candidates for the priesthood.
"As
for me - concludes Fr. Yao - I am currently serving in Accra in a project for
the deaf, St. Martin Deaf Ministry, but I hope to extend my mission to other
regions of Ghana, including the Ashanti Kingdom"…
…
“At first, I did not have an office. I sat under a tree near the church. Later,
parishioners pointed out that I could not work under a tree and helped me set
up a small office.” …Today, Fr. René works with a small group of deaf and
hard-of-hearing people.
In
a statement sent to Fides, the missionary explains how, thanks to small
donations and the generosity of parishioners, he is able to maintain the
various activities of the St. Martin Deaf Ministry he founded. Inclusion is at
the heart of pastoral care. In addition to spiritual matters, the parish is
committed to social encounters, creative and educational projects, and sign
language courses to ensure sustainability.
Every
Sunday morning, Father René celebrates Holy Mass in sign language so that deaf
parishioners can fully participate in the Eucharist. “I do not want separate
Masses for the deaf. They already experience enough exclusion. If we celebrate
a Mass just for them, we separate them even further from the hearing community.
We must pray together, as one body in Christ.”
Article
from FIDES missionary news service of the Pontifical Mission Societies. Please remember the Pontifical Mission
Societies of the Diocese of Ogdensburg INC. when writing or changing your will.
