Most Reverend Alfred Agyenta, Bishop of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese of the Catholic Church has prayed for the peaceful rest of the soul of the late Hajia Mariama Bawumia, mother of Vice President, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
The late Hajia Bawumia died in the early hours of Monday, September 13, 2021, in Accra, at the age of 81, and was buried at Kperiga, a community in the West Mamprusi Municipality of the North East Region.
Bishop Agyenta made the prayer before his introductory message at the climax of the Centenary Celebration of the Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Minor Basilica at Navrongo in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality.
The celebration was on the theme; “100 years of existence of the Minor Basilica, celebrating our membership of the household of God, (Eph 2, 19).”
Bishop Agyenta called on the congregation, drawn from various parishes within the Upper East Region and beyond, to pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of Hajia Bawumia.
He also extended words of condolence to Vice President Bawumia and his family, saying, God would continue to keep and comfort them as they grieve and mourn their mother.
Speaking on the construction of the Minor Basilica 100 years ago, Bishop Agyenta noted that “100 years in the lifespan of a building constructed entirely of mud is a great achievement, especially in a nation noted for its very poor maintenance culture, it is a feast worth celebrating.”
He said the celebration offered them the opportunity to raise awareness about the great responsibilities of the church, the nation, and all lovers of culture and tradition, to protect, preserve and maintain the sacred building.
The Bishop said the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Reverend Henryk Mieczyslaw Jagodzinski in the Diocese and his acceptance to celebrate the climax of the celebration with them did not only re-enforce but was a clear manifestation of the spiritual link between the Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Minor Basilica and the church of Saint Peter.
Bishop Agyenta thanked the Apostolic Nuncio for his four-day visit to the Region.