MOST REV. CHARLES GABRIEL PALMER-BUCKLE | THE AMIABLE ARCHBISHOP
"As
Christians, we are called to be the salt and the light of the world, but we
cannot be effective unless we are willing to lose ourselves in service to
others."
There
are many great preachers and Statesmen whose words continue to inspire and
resonate with countless people around the world. These preachers have shared
their faith, wisdom, and insights through sermons, speeches, and writings,
leaving an indelible mark on humanity's collective consciousness. One of these
people the Central Focus want to celebrate is the Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast of the
Catholic Church in Ghana, Most
Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle.
Archbishop
Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle is a renowned Ghanaian Roman Catholic Archbishop.
Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle is the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Catholic
Archdiocese of Cape Coast, Ghana. He was born on June 15, 1950, in Axim in the
Western Region of Ghana. He is noted for his contributions towards the development
of the Ghanaian Catholic Church, interfaith dialogue, social and political
issues affecting the country. Palmer-Buckle as he is affectionately known was
ordained a priest on December 12, 1976, in Accra. After few years of priestly
ministry as Diocesan Youth Chaplain and Vocations’ Director as well as Teacher
and Students’ Chaplain of his alma mater, Pope John XXIII Secondary, and Minor
Seminary, Father Palmer-Buckle went back to Rome, Italy, to study at the
Pontifical Salesian University for his post-graduate degree
He
returned home in 1984 with a Doctorate Degree in Sacred Theology and was
appointed Teacher and Chaplain of St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School and
Diocesan Laity Chaplain. In 1985 he was transferred to Achimota Secondary
School as Catholic Chaplain and Teacher, where he remained till 1992.
During
the period between 1985 -1992, he served as the Acting Editor of the National
Catholic Week, “The Standard”, Priest-in-charge of St. Thomas More Catholic
Church, Achimota, and President of the National Union of the Ghana Catholic Diocesan Priests’ Association
(NUGDPA).
In
November 1992, Fr. Palmer-Buckle was nominated first Bishop of the newly
created Catholic Diocese of Koforidua, carved out of the Catholic Archdiocese
of Accra, and he was ordained to the Episcopacy in the St. Peter’s Basilica, in
the Vatican City, Italy, on January 6, 1993, by His Holiness, Pope John Paul II
of blessed memory.
In
1992, Palmer-Buckle was appointed the Bishop of Koforidua, and he served in
that capacity until 2005 when he was appointed the Metropolitan Archbishop of
Accra. He has since dedicated his life to serving the Ghanaian Catholic Church,
and his tenure as Archbishop has been marked with significant achievements.
Under
his leadership, the Ghanaian Catholic Church has witnessed an increase in the
number of priests and parishioners. He has also overseen the establishment of
new churches, schools, hospitals, and other infrastructural developments within
the Ghanaian Catholic community.
Palmer-Buckle
is also known for his fearless stance on social and political issues affecting
Ghana and the continent of Africa. He has spoken out against corruption,
injustice, and other societal ills that adversely affect the development of
Ghana and Africa as a whole.
Archbishop
Charles Palmer-Buckle is a remarkable personality, whose contributions towards
the development of the Ghanaian Catholic Church and society at large cannot be
over-emphasized. His humanitarian efforts, interfaith dialogue, and fearless
stance on social and political issues have earned him a place among the most
respected and influential religious leaders in Ghana and Africa.
IMPACT
Archbishop
Palmer-Buckle’s impact on the global community extends beyond Ghana. His impact
on the global community is testament to his dedication to social justice,
education, and interfaith dialogue and several others. His work has been
instrumental in promoting these values both in Ghana and beyond, inspiring many
to follow in his footsteps.
· Archbishop Palmer-Buckle has played an instrumental role in promoting education in Ghana, recognizing it as a key tool for social and economic development. He has worked to improve access to education, particularly for girls, and has also worked to improve the quality of education through initiatives such as teacher training programs. For instance, he was instrumental in the establishment of the Catholic University College of Ghana (CUCG), which is aimed at providing quality tertiary education for Ghanaians.
· Archbishop Charles Palmer-Buckle is one of the most influential religious figures in Ghana. As the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, he has contributed greatly to the spiritual, social and economic development of the country. His impact can be felt in numerous areas of Ghanaian society, including education, health, politics and culture.
· Archbishop has also been a fervent campaigner for the provision of healthcare in Ghana. He has worked tirelessly to ensure that quality healthcare is accessible to all citizens regardless of their socio-economic status. Through initiatives such as the Catholic Health Services and the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference, he has been able to provide healthcare services to many Ghanaians in need.
·
Archbishop Palmer-Buckle is also renowned for
his impact in Ghanaian politics. He has been outspoken on several issues
affecting the country, including corruption, tribalism and national unity. He
is a respected voice in national discourse and has been involved in several
peace-building initiatives, both within and outside Ghana. In recognition of
his contributions towards peace and development in Ghana, he was awarded the
Order of the Volta, one of the highest civilian honours in the country.
Furthermore,
Archbishop Palmer-Buckle has also made an impact in Ghanaian culture. He has
been actively involved in promoting Ghanaian culture and tradition, which he
sees as vital in building a sense of national identity. He has championed the
use of traditional symbols in the liturgical celebrations of the Catholic
Church in Ghana.
In
conclusion, Archbishop Charles Palmer-Buckle's impact in Ghana is immeasurable.
Through his work in education, healthcare, politics and culture, he has played
a significant role in shaping the development of the country. His unwavering
commitment to promoting social justice, human dignity and national unity has
earned him a place in the hearts of many Ghanaians. Following the acceptance of
Most Rev. Matthias Kobena Nketsiah's resignation from the Episcopal See of Cape
Coast upon reaching the retirement age, His Holiness, Pope Francis, appointed
Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle as the new Metropolitan Archbishop of
Cape Coast on May 11, 2018.
Samuel Elijah Boateng
President, The Central Focus
Comments
Post a Comment