The Ghana Chapter of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) has been inaugurated with a call on members to uphold standards of moral ethical leadership.
The network is aimed at bringing together Catholic parliamentarians and other Christian lawmakers on regular basis for faith formation, education and fellowship.
The belief of the ICLN is based on the scriptures and the social teachings of the Catholic Church.
The objectives of the network, include protection of life, marriage, family, religious liberty, human rights, biotechnology and life sciences, education and Church-State relations, communicate Catholic social values in politics and economics.
Inaugurating the network in Parliament, Accra, yesterday, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, entreated members to be resolute and defend the Catholic faith in their legislative duties.
“We must stand firm against the winds of change that threaten to erode our principles. We must be vigilant against the voices that seek to silence our faith. We must be bold to proclaim our beliefs even when it is unpopular.
“Our work is not of the faint heart. It requires courage, wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to our faith and our values. But it is a task we must undertake for the sake of our nation, our people and our souls,” Mr Bagbin said.
He noted that the network was planting seeds that would grow into mighty trees that would provide shade and shelter for future generation.
President of the Catholic Bishops Conference and Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, said the network had become necessary because recent events in the world indicate that people have lost confidence and hope in governance systems, and, therefore, a need for Catholics to champion positive change in the legislature.
“Humanity thought that democracy was the solution of all the injustices in society, but they have gradually realised that it is not the case.
At the heart of the Catholic social teaching is the idea that God is present in others and that we are our brothers and sisters’ keepers.
“Emphasis is placed in our responsibilities to help the most vulnerable of our neighbours and not to disrespect and trample upon them. We need to reflect on these values to liberate ourselves for the attainment of the peace and development we all seek,” Most Rev. Gyamfi said.
He urged Catholic MPs and the legislature in general to have in their libraries the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church together with the scriptures as their tools.
Most Rev. Gyamfi commended the MPs for the passage of the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Act, which scraps the death penalty and the ongoing work on the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2022.
The leadership steering committee of the network led by First Deputy Speaker and MP for Bekwai, Joseph Osei Owusu, has also been sworn into office.
Other members of the Committee are the Second Deputy Speaker and MP, Fomena, Vice Chair; Techiman North MP, Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare, Secretary; Dormaa West MP, Vincent Oppong Asamoah, Organiser and Patricia Appiagyei, MP, Asokwa.
On behalf of the steering committee, Mr Owusu said they would strive to live the values of the church guided by its principles.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
