Anglican Diocese of Asante Mampong

Last updated
Diocese of Asante Mampong Logo, arms for Diocese of Asante Mampong.jpeg
Diocese of Asante Mampong

The Anglican Diocese of Asante Mampong (ADAM) was inaugurated on 23 November 2014 by the Most Rev. Dr. Daniel Yinkah Sarfo, Archbishop and Primate of the Church of the Province of West Africa (CPWA), having previously been within the Diocese of Kumasi. The first Diocesan Bishop of Asante Mampong is Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, formerly suffragan bishop under the authority of the Bishop of Kumasi. [1] The new Diocese covers a remote rural and forest area of the Ashanti region and supports practical ministry in education, health and the provision of clean water as a part of its Christian mission.

Contents

Creation of ADAM

ADAM was first created as a Suffragan area of the Diocese of Kumasi. The idea to carve ADAM as a Suffragan area was mooted by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Daniel Yinkah Sarfo (as he then was), the Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Kumasi, during a Diocesan Synod which was held in December, 2008 at the Anglican Hostel, KNUST, Kumasi. The main purpose of its creation was to facilitate the expansion, growth and effective Episcopal Administration. The Diocese of Kumasi was growing very fast with 46 parishes and 89 outstations. The creation of the Suffragan area was to enhance growth rate and effective evangelization of areas yet untouched by the Diocese of Kumasi; and to fast track Mission and Evangelism leading to further ceding of the area into a full-fledged Diocese in future. Immediately after the said 2008 Diocesan Synod, the decision was sent to the Archbishop and Primate of the Province of West Africa, Most Rev. Dr. Solomon Tilewa Johnson (deceased). The 10 Province gave the approval and reminded the Diocese of Kumasi about the requirements which must be satisfied. During the December, 2010 Diocesan Synod of the Diocese of Kumasi, the Rev. Can. Dr. Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith (as he then was) was elected the Suffragan Bishop. He was consecrated as the Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese of Kumasi on 22nd May, 2011 at the St. Cyprian the Martyr Anglican Cathedral, Kumasi. The 2012 Diocesan Synod of the Diocese of Kumasi adopted the idea that after the celebration of its 40th Anniversary of existence in August, 2013 the Diocese of Kumasi would give birth to a new Diocese. The CPWA Inspection Team was constituted and tasked to come to the Diocese of Kumasi, ascertain for themselves and submit a report on certain issues such as the boundary, number of parishes, budget for three years, financial viability, the Bishop‟s office and residence and the assets and liabilities. The Team sent two voluminous bound documents to the Province and copies to all Diocesan Bishops in the Province for their approval. All the Bishops in the Province endorsed for the creation of the ADAM. At the Standing Committee meeting of the CPWA on 5th July, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia, a second endorsement was given for the creation and inauguration of ADAM on Christ the King Sunday, 23rd November, 2014 at Mampong, Ashanti at 9:30 a.m. At the end of the First Session of the Seventeenth Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Kumasi at the Diocesan Retreat and Spiritual Renewal Centre, Nkawie – Ashanti, from 10th to 13th September, 2014, an ACTA was signed giving the Synod‟s approval for ceding of Mampong and Kumawu Archdeaconries of the Diocese to form ADAM. ADAM was then finally inaugurated. At a Special Diocesan Synod of ADAM held on the day of the Inauguration, 23rd November, 2014 at St. Monica‟s College of Education Library at 4:00p.m., Rt. Rev. Dr. Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith (as he then was) was elected the first Diocesan Bishop of the ADAM. He was enthroned as such first Diocesan Bishop on 30th November, 2014. At the time of the creation and inauguration, the Diocese comprised two (2) Archdeaconries namely Mampong and Kumawu Archdeaconries; seven (7) parishes namely St. Michael and All Angels, Mampong; St. Peter, Kumawu; St. Mary, Ejura; St. Andrew, Kwamang; St. Joseph, Nsuta; St. Paul, Juaben; St. Peter, Konongo-Odumasi; 2 Sub-parishes and 24 Outstations; the Suffragan Bishop and twelve (12) Priests. St. Michael and All Angels was chosen as the Cathedral of ADAM and the Cathedral building was dedicated by Archbishop Daniel Yinkah Sarfo and assisted by the then Suffragan Bishop Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith on 5th October, 2014.

Province and Parishes

Asante Mampong is the 17th Diocese within the Church of the Province of West Africa, 11 of which are in the internal Province of Ghana. [2] The mother church of the Diocese is the Cathedral Church of St Michael and All Angels in Mampong and there are currently parishes established at Kumawu (St Peter), Ejura (St Mary's ), Kwamang (St Andrew), Nsuta (St Joseph), Juaben (St Paul), Odumasi (St Peter), Daaho (St John), Kyiremfaso (St Paul), Abonkoso (St Thomas), Konongo (St Barnabas), Bonkro (St Augustine), Jamasi (St Nicholas sub-parish) and Dromankoma (Christ the King). Five more communities are preparing to receive parochial status: Effiduasi (St Mark), Woraso (St Mary), Agogo Anglican Community, Nobewam (St Anthony) and Kofiase/Benim Anglican Community. There is a larger number of small rural stations. [3]

The Cathedral

Raised to cathedral status in 2014, the Cathedral Church of St Michael and All Angels, Mampong, is the centre of mission for the Diocese. The Dean is Ven Bismark Opoku Acheampong and Acting Canon Precentor, Balthazar Obeng Larbi who is also Registrar of the Diocese. A significant number of honorary canons have been appointed from other provinces of the Anglican Communion to support the new Diocese with specific skills. [4]

Mampong Archdeaconry

Kumawu Archdeaconry

Ejura Archdeaconry

Juaben Archdeaconry

PARISHDATEGEOGRAPHICAL AREA
1St. Thomas, Abonkosu15th March, 2015N/A
2St. John, Daaho22nd March, 2015Hwediem, Nintin, Mprim road through Boanim, Wiamoase to the border with Agona; and through Bepoase to Kyekyewere and their environs.
3St. Augustine, Bonkrong12th April, 2015Includes Gyetiase, Tadieso, Daamang, Nkwabrim, Mpentuase, Bimma and their environs.
4St. Paul, Kyiremfaso-Besease19th April, 2015Towns/villages within the route to Ejura, ending at Kramokrom/Oseikrom and to Benim and Kofiase & environs.
5St. Barnabas, Konongo26th April, 2015Extends towards Accra road and borders with the Diocese of Koforidua (all towns/villages within this route including all branch roads & environs.)
6Christ the King, Dromankoma/ Bonyon/Kasei/Nkwanta10th May, 2015Bounded by Ejura, Oku and Diocese of Sunyani
ARCHDEACONRYDATEARCHDEACON
1Kumawu19th July, 2015St. Peter, Kumawu (Archdeaconry Seat) St. Andrew, Kwamang St. Joseph, Nsuta And their Outstations and environs
2Mampong9 th August, 2015St. John, Daaho (Archdeaconry Seat) St. Thomas Abonkosu St. Augustine, Bonkrong And their Outstations and environs
3Ejura30th August, 2015St. Mary, Ejura (Archdeaconry Seat) St. Paul, Kyiremfaso Christ the King, Dromankuma/Bonyon And their Outstations and environs
4Juaben13th September, 2015St. Paul, Juaben (Archdeaconry Seat) St. Peter, Konongo Odumase St. Barnabas, Konongo And their Outstations and environs

Ordination

There have been fourteen (14) ordinations so far; eight (8) Diaconates and six (6) Priesthoods. The total number of Clergy stands at thirty-four (34) excluding the Lord Bishop, made up of thirty-one (31) active and three (3) retired clergy. There is one (1) Seminarian at the St. Nicholas Theological Seminary at Cape Coast and one other who has been cassocked awaiting diaconate ordination.

Appointment of Canons

To facilitate the work of the Diocese in specific areas, Canons have been appointed to compliment the work of the Bishop. In accordance with the Diocesan Constitution, the Diocese has currently Three (3) Residentiary Canons and Five (5) Honorary Canons (with portfolio). There are also Seven (7) Honorary Canons (without portfolio otherwise known as Bishop Commissaries) and Sixteen (16) Lay Canons

Diocesan Evangelism

One major focal point of our Diocese is Evangelism. The Diocese has a Diocesan Evangelism Committee which is responsible for promoting and developing evangelism in the Diocese. An Evangelism Team has also been inaugurated to see to evangelism in the Diocese. Through the effort of our Diocesan Bishop, the Diocese has an Evangelism Bus which is used by the Committee for evangelism purposes. Diocesan Conventions are held once every year within the week preceding Palm Sunday inclusive. Churches are encouraged to establish prayer tower to encourage effective prayer within the Diocese.

Human Resource Development

It is the intention and purpose of the Diocese to devote adequate attention to human resource development of our people; to train more Clergy and laity to manage our teaming resources including our schools and other facilities. Various workshops have been organized for the Clergy, the Catechists, the Church Wardens and the Evangelism Team in the Diocese. Some of 14 our Clergy are having post ordination degree programme at the St. Nicholas Theological Seminary. Others are enrolled in academic studies including Ph.D., M.Phil., M.Th. and M.Ed., among others. Other Clergymen have completed Ph.D., M.Phil. (Religious Studies), M.Phil. (Environmental Science), M.A. (Theology and Religious Studies), B.Th., B.Sc., B.Ed., PGDE, among others. Some have travelled abroad for various studies and conferences. Such places include South Carolina, California and Virginia in USA; Rome; and Canterbury in the UK.

Guild Network

Guilds and associations within the Diocese have been reorganized and inaugurated to Diocesan Guilds, and Diocesan Executives have been elected and installed for the guilds. The recognized guilds and associations include: 1. The Association of the Anglican Church Choirs; 2. The Guild of the Servants of the Sanctuary; 3. The Guild of the Good Shepherd; 4. The St. Mary‟s Guild [and the Children of Mary under the St. Mary‟s Guild]; 5. The Mothers‟ Union [and the Girl‟s Friendly Society under the Mother‟s Union]; 6. The Women‟s Fellowship; 7. The Men‟s Fellowship [and the A. C. M. S.]; and 8. The Anglican Young People‟s Association.

Diocesan Constitution

The Diocese has adopted, enacted and given to ourselves the Constitution of the Anglican Diocese of Asante Mampong (together with the Constitution and Statutes of the St. Michael and All Angels Cathedral, Mampong-Ashanti) as our first Diocesan Constitution on 26th November, 2016. The Constitution was confirmed by Synod 2018.

Related Research Articles

A suffragan bishop is a type of bishop in some Christian denominations.

The Church of the Province of West Africa is a province of the Anglican Communion, covering 17 dioceses in eight countries of West Africa, specifically in Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Senegal and Sierra Leone. Ghana is the country with most dioceses, now numbering 11.

The Bishop of Wakefield is an episcopal title which takes its name after the city of Wakefield in West Yorkshire, England. The title was first created for a diocesan bishop in 1888, but it was dissolved in 2014. The Bishop of Wakefield is now an area bishop who has oversight of an episcopal area in the Diocese of Leeds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anglican Church of Mexico</span> Anglican province in Mexico

The Anglican Church of Mexico, originally known as Church of Jesus is the Anglican province in Mexico and includes five dioceses. Although Mexican in origin and not the result of any foreign missionary effort, the Church uses the colors representing Mexico as well as those of the United States-based Episcopal Church in its heraldic insignia or shield, recognizing a historical connection with that US church which began with obtaining the apostolic succession.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham</span> Diocese of the Church of England

The Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham is a Church of England diocese in the Province of York, headed by the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham. It covers all the English county of Nottinghamshire and a few parishes in South Yorkshire. It is bordered by the dioceses of Derby, Leicester, Lincoln and Sheffield. The cathedral, Southwell Minster, is in the town of Southwell, 15 miles north of Nottingham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diocese of Ripon</span> Church of England diocese, 1836 to 2014

The Diocese of Ripon was a former Church of England diocese, part of the Province of York. Immediately prior to its dissolution, it covered an area in western and northern Yorkshire as well as the south Teesdale area administered by County Durham which is traditionally part of Yorkshire. The cities of Ripon and Leeds were within its boundaries as were the towns of Harrogate, Richmond, Knaresborough, Hawes and Bedale and the surrounding countryside; its northern boundary was the River Tees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diocese of Chester</span> Diocese of the Church of England

The Diocese of Chester is a Church of England diocese in the Province of York covering the pre-1974 county of Cheshire and therefore including the Wirral and parts of Stockport, Trafford and Tameside.

The Diocese of Toronto is an administrative division of the Anglican Church of Canada covering the central part of southern Ontario. It was founded in 1839 and is the oldest of the seven dioceses comprising the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario. It has the most members of any Anglican diocese in Canada. It is also one of the biggest Anglican dioceses in the Americas in terms of numbers of parishioners, clergy and parishes. As of 2018, the diocese has around 230 congregations and ministries in 183 parishes, with approximately 54,000 Anglicans identified on parish rolls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh</span> Diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States

The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh is a diocese in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. Geographically, it encompasses 11 counties in Western Pennsylvania. It was formed in 1865 by dividing the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. The diocesan cathedral is Trinity Cathedral in downtown Pittsburgh. The Rt. Rev. Ketlen A. Solak was consecrated and seated as its current bishop in autumn 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anglican ministry</span> Leadership and agency of Christian service in the Anglican Communion

The Anglican ministry is both the leadership and agency of Christian service in the Anglican Communion. Ministry commonly refers to the office of ordained clergy: the threefold order of bishops, priests and deacons. More accurately, Anglican ministry includes many laypeople who devote themselves to the ministry of the church, either individually or in lower/assisting offices such as lector, acolyte, sub-deacon, Eucharistic minister, cantor, musicians, parish secretary or assistant, warden, vestry member, etc. Ultimately, all baptized members of the church are considered to partake in the ministry of the Body of Christ.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diocese of British Columbia</span> Diocese of the Anglican Church in Canada

The Diocese of British Columbia, also known as the Anglican Diocese of Islands and Inlets, is a diocese of the Ecclesiastical Province of British Columbia and Yukon of the Anglican Church of Canada.

The Diocese of Huron is a diocese of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario of the Anglican Church of Canada. The diocese comprises just over 31,000 square kilometres in southwestern Ontario, sandwiched between Lake Huron and Lake Erie. Its See city is London, and its parish rolls of 50,000 are served by 177 congregations.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Konongo–Mampong is a diocese located in the city of Konongo–Mampong in the ecclesiastical province of Kumasi in Ghana.

The Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman is a diocese in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, and encompasses the area around Kimberley and Kuruman and overlaps the Northern Cape Province and North West Province of South Africa. It is presided over by the Bishop of Kimberley and Kuruman, until recently Ossie Swartz. On 19 September 2021 the Electoral College of Bishops elected to translate the Right Revd Brian Marajh of George to become the 13th Bishop of Kimberley & Kuruman. The seat of the Bishop of Kimberley and Kuruman is at St Cyprian's Cathedral, Kimberley. There had been so far 12 bishops of the See, though one of these served for two different periods of time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diocese of St Mark the Evangelist</span>

The Diocese of St Mark the Evangelist is a diocese in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, in the geographical area of the Limpopo province in the north of South Africa.

The Anglican Diocese of Mpumalanga is a diocese in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. The Diocese of Mpumalanga, as the name suggests, spans the northern section of the South African province of Mpumalanga, while the Diocese of the Highveld covers the southern section. The diocese comprises four archdeaconries and 22 parishes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anglican Diocese of Leeds</span> Diocese of the Church of England

The Anglican Diocese of Leeds is a diocese of the Church of England, in the Province of York. It is the largest diocese in England by area, comprising much of western Yorkshire: almost the whole of West Yorkshire, the western part of North Yorkshire, the town of Barnsley in South Yorkshire, and most of the parts of County Durham, Cumbria and Lancashire which lie within the historic boundaries of Yorkshire. It includes the cities of Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield and Ripon. It was created on 20 April 2014 following a review of the dioceses in Yorkshire and the dissolution of the dioceses of Bradford, Ripon and Leeds, and Wakefield.

The Anglican Diocese of the Trinity (ADOTT) is a diocese of the Church of Nigeria and formerly of the Anglican Church in North America and a sub-jurisdiction of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA). It is the first missionary diocese of CANA launched by the Church of Nigeria in the United States and Canada, working as an evangelical church planting movement.

The Anglican Diocese of Awgu/Aninri is one of the 12 Anglican Dioceses in the ecclesiastical province of Enugu in the Church of Nigeria.

References

  1. ↑ Anglican Communion News Service retrieved on 7 December 2014
  2. ↑ Church of the Province of West Africa
  3. ↑ Bishop's Synod Charge retrieved on 7 February 2015
  4. ↑ Bishop's Synod Charge retrieved on 7 February 2015

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.