Lay leaders from across the Catholic Archdiocese of Cape Coast gathered at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Cape Coast, for a special encounter with Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast, to celebrate his Golden Jubilee of Priesthood (50 years), 35 years of Episcopal Ministry, and his 76th birthday.
The gathering brought together leaders of the various lay societies, associations, and organizations within the Archdiocese in a spirit of thanksgiving, unity, and reflection on the Archbishop’s decades of faithful service to the Church.
The special encounter also provided an opportunity for the Archbishop to engage the lay faithful on the outcomes and implementation of the Synod on Synodality, emphasizing the Church’s call to become a more participatory, missionary, and listening community.
Addressing the gathering, Archbishop Palmer-Buckle encouraged lay leaders to deepen their commitment to the Church’s mission by promoting communion, participation, and mission within their parishes and communities. He stressed the indispensable role of the laity in evangelization, leadership, and the ongoing renewal of the Church.
The celebration served not only as a tribute to the Archbishop’s remarkable milestones in priestly and episcopal ministry but also as an occasion for the faithful to reaffirm their commitment to walking together as one family of God in the spirit of synodality.
The event concluded with prayers of thanksgiving for Archbishop Palmer-Buckle, asking God to continue granting him good health, wisdom, and strength as he shepherds the people of God in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cape Coast.
Story by Emmanuel Boniface Arthur
