Pope Leo has expressed his sorrow over the deaths of
ministers, government officials and the crew who perished in a military
helicopter crash on Wednesday, 6 August, in the West African nation of Ghana.
The condolences came in a telegram signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro
Parolin, addressed to Bishop Matthew K. Gyamfi of Suyani Diocese, also
President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
The Holy See Press Office published the telegram on
Thursday evening, 7 August, that reads, “His Holiness Pope Leo XIV sends his
condolences upon the deaths of the ministers, government officials and all who
perished in the military helicopter crash. Entrusting the souls of the deceased
to the mercy of Almighty God, and with prayers for those who mourn their loss,
especially their families, the Holy Father assures the nation of his spiritual
closeness at this difficult time.”
The helicopter, carrying three crew and five passengers,
crashed in a heavily forested area of the central Ashanti region. It was
carrying Ghana’s Minister of Defence, Edward Omane Boamah, the Minister of
Environment, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, six crew and other passengers
accompanying them. They were traveling to the town of Obuasi for an event
related to stopping illegal mining. There were no survivors.
The missionary news service, Agenzia Fides, reported Bishop Gyamfi’s reaction
to the tragedy, saying the news came as a great shock to all.
The Ghana Bishops’ Conference issued a statement
expressing its condolences to the President, the families of the victims,
Parliament, and the nation, saying “we ask all Ghanaians to pray for them,”
while they also noted their “shock to lose such brilliant minds all at once.”
The Bishops emphasised that the victims “were men of
proven commitment, servants of the state, politicians, technocrats, and gallant
officers of the Ghana Armed Forces, who gave their lives in the service of the
Republic, the institutions, and the people of this country. Their sudden and
untimely passing is not only a blow to their families and friends, but also a
great loss for the nation.”
Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, has declared three days of national mourning.
Source: Catholic-Trends
May there souls RIP
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