SECAM TRIBUTE TO RICHARD CARDINAL BAAWOBR

TO RICHARD CARDINAL BAAWOBR

The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SCEAM) and the entire Church Family of God in Africa and its Islands mourn His Eminence Richard Cardinal Baawobr, Bishop of the Diocese of Wa and President of SECAM.

Yes, the Church in Africa has just lost a good and faithful pastor. We will remember that Mgr Richard Baawobr was elected President of SECAM and created Cardinal only a few months ago. His unexpected death fills us with sadness and pain. She leaves a huge void. But we console ourselves in the hope that our beloved Brother has gone to the Father’s House.

The one we mourn today was a man of God. He respected everyone who came to him and did not allow any discrimination in his contacts. Cardinal Richard Baawobr was never happy to see the people around him suffering. In short, he was a true religious, with great missionary and pastoral experience. As Superior General of the Missionaries of Africa, he distinguished himself by his humility and his legendary smile which attracted people to God. Indeed, as Saint Teresa of Calcutta said: “evangelization begins with a smile”. Yes, Cardinal Richard’s smile made him accessible to everyone, welcoming and consoling. Even more, his commitment and dedication are a testimony to the total gift of his life, which awakened in many people the vocation to priestly and religious life.

During the short period of his presidency of SECAM and through his numerous commitments as a man of the Church, our late Brother left us the testimony of a fraternal and friendly style of life and work, and also the testimony of a pastor broad and open-minded. .

As we lead him today to his final resting place, we allow ourselves to be consoled by the words of the Book of Wisdom which assure us that Cardinal Richard “became perfect in a short time, and reached the fullness of a long career because his soul was precious to the Lord; he was quickly removed from the wickedness that surrounded him ” (Wis 4:13-14). We are thus committed to immortalizing the dreams and plans of the late Cardinal for the growth of the Catholic Church in Africa and the Islands. We also intend to be inspired by his dedication and his example so that SECAM can become a useful instrument for the coordinated work of evangelization in Africa and its Islands.

May the God of mercy grant his good and faithful servant, Cardinal Richard Baawobr, well-deserved rest in his kingdom of peace and joy.

Fridolin Cardinal AMBONGO

First Vice-President of SECAM