US bishops find young, vibrant Church in Ghana

September 09, 2010

When two US bishops recently visited Ghana, they found that the Church there is characterized by “youthfulness, energy, and a zest for life,” said Auxiliary Bishop Martin Holley of Washington, who added that the faith of Catholics is “strong and full of joy.”

Archbishop Charles Palmer-Buckle of Accra-- the nation’s capital-- says that 60% of Ghana’s Catholics are under 30.

“It is a massive force,” said the archbishop. “If we do invest well in them, build their capacity in social, political, economic and financial (ways) as well as in the Church’s social teachings and the Catholic faith, then there's no reason not to have greater hope.”

12% of the nation’s 23.4 million people are Catholic, according to Vatican statistics. 57% are Protestant, and 16% are Muslim.

 

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Further information:

• In Africa, US bishop finds 'youthfulness, energy ... zest for life' (CNS)