Fr. Linus Nangwelle, originally from Wa, is a Priest of and member of the College of Consultors for the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom. He works at the University of Education, Winneba.
In an address during the August 16, 2025 funeral Mass, at the Roman Catholic Primary School compound, Kalsegra, the Bishop made it known that his presence was accounted for, by the fact that he had, had to choose between two equally important events – the Solemnity of Assumption Programme at Bonkrom, which is an annual programme, not just for the Vicariate, but for every Catholic Diocese in Ghana, and attending the funeral of the mother of his brother Priest.
“My mother will die but once; Assumption will come and come and come again; so, I asked somebody to celebrate the Mass on my behalf, and I will be here to mourn with my brother”, he had prioritised.
Admitting the “very far away” journey from Donkorkrom to Wa, the Bishop maintained that if Fr. Linus had come from Wa Diocese to Donkorkrom, and didn’t find that way too long, “to belong to us, and to help and serve our people, it shouldn’t be too long also for us to come here to be with him, to mourn with him, in a difficult moment like this,” he added.
“We are happy that we made it and we continue to pray for the soul of our dear mother, Margaret,” he celebrated, thanking all who had joined the family to bid farewell to their mother, daughter, and Sister.
According to Bishop Asiedu, who had had the opportunity to visit Madam Margaret in her home while she was still alive, she was “a very simple, calm, unassuming woman”. The gift of a fowl which he had received from her at the end of his impromptu visit, together with other testimonies of her, reaffirmed “her generosity, her love, her kindness”.
“We have lost a wonderful person. We have lost a great disciple of Christ. We have lost a great witness of the Lord,” he mourned, praying that her good example may be a true legacy that will remain in the family, especially in her children, and that through them, we will always recognise the Lord that she served so well, while on earth.
“Fr. Linus, we want to assure you of our Prayers, you and your siblings, the entire family. Be assured that you are always in our thoughts and prayers,” he pledged.
Bishop Asiedu, concelebrating with Most Rev. Francis Bomansaan, M.Afr., Bishop of Wa, who had officiated at the funeral Mass, did the Final Commendation of the soul of Madam Margaret.
The Bishop of Donkorkrom had been accompanied for the 4-day trip to Wa by a 4-person delegation, who were in some way a representation of the Vicariate. They included Rev. Fr. Bernard Kwabena Amfo, Assisting Priest at St. Joseph Parish, Maame Krobo, to which Fr. Linus belongs, representing the Diocesan Priests Association (DODPA), Mr. John Bosco, a Parishioner of same Parish, Mr. Agyekum Timothy, driver, and of course, the reporter (Religious Sister), “making the Church complete” – Bishop, Priest, Sister and a lay person.
The long journey to Wa had been broken at Techiman, where the delegation passed a night, and the return journey, at Nkwatia, for another night, since they couldn’t catch up with the panthoon (a ferry for transporting vehicles, persons and goods, which is the major means of transport in the Afram Plains, which is accessible by water-crossing).
As part of the trip to Wa, the Bishop had made a stopover at Damango to see his classmate, Rev. Fr. Sylvester Kuubetersuur, Damango Diocesan Development Coordinator.
His Lordship and his entourage had also honoured an invitation from the Bishop of Wa Diocese, Most Rev. Francis Bomansaan, M.Afr., at his residence.
He also paid a courtesy call on Rev. Fr. Cornelius Naa Bayirinoba, at the Priests’ Home in Wa, who had served in Donkorkrom Vicariate for over 3years.
By Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (DEPSOCOM, AVD)
