WITNESSING FRANCISCAN CAPUCHINS VALUES AMONG THE GHANAIANS: History, Activities and Evangelization Work of the Franciscan Capuchins in Ghana

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OUR PRESENCE In 2005, the Capuchin Province of St. Francis of Assisi in Kerala, India, answered a call from the Diocese of Novrongo-Bolgatanga in Ghana’s Upper East Region, establishing a mission there. Starting as a House of Presence, it officially became a Provincial Delegation in 2016 under Bro. Varghese Alphonse. After a three-year term, Bro. Varghese Alphonse was re-appointed in 2020, followed by Bro. Robinson Melkis’s appointment in 2022, marked the continued dedication of the Capuchins to their mission in Ghana. The political and ecclesial situation of Ghana is very healthy. The country is a peaceful democracy with regular elections. There was some unrest when new regions were created, but tensions have subsided. Ghana is predominantly Christian, with Catholicism being the largest single denomination. Religious tolerance is high, and missionaries are respected. The government recognizes the Catholic Church as a major contributor to healthcare and education. Evangelization in Ghana began with the arrival of SMA Fathers and Missionaries of Africa in the late 19th century. Since then, many missionary congregations have played important roles in spreading the faith. The Capuchins arrived in Ghana in 2005 and established communities in various locations.The Capuchins initially served in Kongo from 2005 to 2021, caring for the Spiritual Renewal Centre and Marian Grotto. The decision to leave Kongo was due to several factors, including lack of friars and limited opportunities for expansion. Then, in 2008, they established the Kpassa community and started to engage themselves actively in evangelization and development work. In 2018, they established a new community in Sunyani diocese, accepting the invitation of the Bishop of Sunyani to manage St. Joseph’s Retreat and Pastoral Centre. Three friars arrived in March 2018, residing temporarily in the Pastoral Centre until an old residential house of the Dioceses is renovated. Since the agreement made in 2020 with the Bishop allows them only a limited presence at the retreat center, they bought two acres of land in view of establishing their own fraternity house and school. Finally, after years of pursuit, the Capuchins officially started their mission in Accra Archdiocese in October 2020. The Archbishop welcomed them to manage St. John the Baptist Church at Prampram, Accra. Then in August 2022, they solidified their presence by signing an official contract with the Bishop. OUR ACTIVITIES Pastoral activities One of their biggest parishes is the one at Kpassa. Currently, the parish serves in addition to the main church 20 outstations in remote villages. Traveling to reach all outstations is a big challenge due to poor road conditions. Despite the challenges, the Capuchins are committed to serving the diverse needs of the communities. The pastoral service includes YOUFRA (KCYM), which is a vibrant youth ministry that fosters faith, fellowship, and service through various activities like playing various games through which the spreading of the Franciscan values and engaging with other communities are practiced; distributing over 4500 Bibles and thousands of rosaries and other items; building proper churches in various villages to enable communities to worship and grow together. Social activities Recognizing the importance of holistic development, the Capuchins provide various social services like provision of access to clean water by digging boreholes and corn mills for the ease of food preparation; distribution of clothes; provision of bicycles and umbrellas to enable easier travel; provision of educational materials; provision of medical needs (when possible); building homes for the poorest families; food assistance (in times of need); provision of sewing machines, provision of machines for fishing are some of them. The social activities of the brothers are not limited to addressing the basic needs, but they go further to provide services of education. They have already established four schools: IMPACTS The impacts of the Capuchin mission on the society is very significant. To mention some of them: CHALLENGES There are lots of challenges that each brother is facing each day; however, the pertinent and common challenges are: NUMBER OF FRIARS The Capuchin mission of Ghana is currently comprises thirteen friars, all hailing from St. Francis Province, Kerala, India. The friars are distributed across three communities; though we had four communities, the first community was closed due to inadequate friars: Contact person: Br. Robinson Melkis OFM Cap. (Mission Delegate- Ghana) Addresses: Mary Queen of Angels Provincial Delegation – GHANA (St. Francis Province, Kerala, India) P.O. BOX – 48, Nkwanta, Oti Region, Ghana TEL: +233-242627462; Email: ofmcapghana@gmail.com August 11, 2025 By Br. Robinson Melkis OFM Cap

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LUNG OF THE ETHIOPIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH: The Service of the Capuchin Franciscan Institute of Philosophy and Theology (CFIPT) for the Past Four Decades

HISTORY The Institute of Philosophy and Theology at St. Francis’ Friary, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is located in the North-West of Addis Ababa, on the way to Ambo, at about 8 km from the city centre (Municipality). The Institute was opened in 1970 as a Franciscan Capuchin Friars’ House of Philosophy. It replaced the “Studium Philosophicum” of Dekemehare, Eritrea. Up to 1979, the House of Philosophy provided a three-year Philosophy course only for Franciscan Capuchin candidates. Italian was the teaching language. At the completion of the three-year Philosophy course, candidates were sent to Asmara for their theological training. In 1979, however, in a spirit of cooperation and mutual advantage, the House of Philosophy was made available for all religious and clergy who wished to send their candidates for philosophical training. At the same time, every care was taken in order to improve the standard both in terms of personnel and library facilities. The Arch-Diocese of Addis Ababa, the Vicariate of Nekemte, the Lazarist Fathers and the Capuchins were first to welcome the offer and send their candidates. At the same time, they provided the House of Philosophy with competent lecturers. English became the teaching language and a two-year Philosophy course was proposed as a first step towards full cooperation. As the experiment proved successful, cooperation was extended further to include a four-year Theology Program in 1981. The House of Philosophy eventually became a centre of Philosophical and Theological Studies for all ecclesiastical circumscriptions in Ethiopia except Adigrat. Till 1994, the infrastructure used as class rooms and library was the building constructed for the formation of the Capuchin Seminaries; however, since the number of the students was growing year after year, it was needed to build a new block. The construction of the new block was started in 1993 fully funded by the OFM Cap Curia. The first phase was completed in 1994 and made ready for the academic year of 1994/95. Currently, more than ten dioceses and eleven religious congregations are sending their candidates to the institute for priestly and religious formation. In order to improve the standard of the Institute, a Propaedeutic Year was also introduced with the specific purpose of teaching the candidates the English language and other introductory subjects. PURPOSE The purpose of the Institute can be summed up into the following nine categories: ADMINISTRATION COURSES OFFERED IN CFIPT AND ACADEMIC YEAR IMPACTS The impact of the institute on the Ethiopian Catholic Church as well as the entire educational system of the country is paramount. Basically, it is one of the few institutes where the philosophical and theological disciplines are studied. Therefore, any clerical as well as civilian person who wants to study those fields is welcomed. Above all, except for the Eparchy of Adigrat, all the dioceses and most of the religious congregations are sending their students for philosophical and theological studies to this institute. That means, almost more than seventy-five percent of the Ethiopian priests are trained in this institution and all the young bishops who have been appointed in the past ten years, namely Bishop Markos, Vicar Apostolic of Jima Bonga; Bishop Lissanu-Chiristos Matewos, Eparchy of Bahirdar Dessie; Bishop Syum Franso, Vicar Apostolic of Hossana; Bishop Lukas Fikre, Eparchy of Emdibir; Bishop Dejene Hidoto, Vicar Apostolic of Soddo; Bishop Getahun Fanta, Vicar Apostolic of Nekemte; Bishop Merhakristos Gobezayehu Getachew, Vicar Apostolic of Hawassa; and Bishop Tesfaye Tadesse, Auxiliary Bishop of Archdiocese of Addis Ababa, are the fruits of this institutions. FUTURE PLAN As with the theological department, the institute plans to elevate the philosophical department to the first degree level by partnering with one of the Pontifical Universities. In addition to upgrading the philosophy department, it also plans to begin teaching students about Franciscan spirituality and Ethiopian literature. Contact person: Br. Worku Yohannes (Provincial minister) Addressee: P.O. Box 177 Holy Savior Catholic Church Addis Ababa – Ethiopia ethiocapcuria@gmail.com August 11, 2025 By Br. Worku Demeke