Omanghana
The Catholic Diocese of Konongo-Mampong in the Ashanti Region has imposed an indefinite suspension a divinis on Rev. Fr. Samuel Adapore over allegations that he left his assigned parish without authorization and abandoned his pastoral responsibilities.
The canonical sanction was announced in an official decree issued by the Diocesan Bishop, Most Rev. John Opoku-Agyemang, following consultations with the diocese’s College of Consultors.
Until the disciplinary action, Fr. Adapore served as Rector of the St. Anthony of Padua Rectorate at Nkwantakese.
According to the diocese, the priest left his assigned pastoral jurisdiction without obtaining the required permission from the bishop. His departure reportedly resulted in the disruption of his ministerial and administrative obligations at the rectorate.
The decree also stated that Fr. Adapore removed his personal belongings from the mission house without informing diocesan authorities or formally handing over his responsibilities.
Church officials reportedly made several attempts to contact him, but those efforts were unsuccessful. The diocese said communication channels with the priest had been severed, while some of his immediate relatives indicated that they did not know his location.
The diocese cited Canon 533 §1 of the Code of Canon Law as part of the basis for the sanction. The provision requires a parish priest to reside in the parish house near the church and obtain the proper authorization before taking an extended absence.
Although certain periods of annual leave are permitted, clergy remain subject to diocesan procedures intended to ensure continuity of pastoral care and proper supervision of parish communities.
By allegedly leaving without episcopal approval or arranging an authorized handover, Fr. Adapore was considered to have violated his responsibilities as a priest assigned to pastoral ministry.
A suspension a divinis is a serious disciplinary measure under Catholic canon law. It restricts a cleric from performing some or all acts associated with ordained ministry.
Under the terms of the decree, Fr. Adapore is prohibited from publicly celebrating or concelebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
He is also barred from administering the sacraments publicly and from performing ministerial, pastoral or liturgical duties on behalf of the Catholic Church.
The suspension does not automatically remove Fr. Adapore from the priesthood. Instead, it prevents him from publicly exercising his clerical ministry while the canonical sanction remains in force.
The measure has been imposed indefinitely, meaning no specific date has been announced for its conclusion. Any possible review or lifting of the suspension would depend on further canonical processes and compliance with directives from the diocesan bishop.
The restriction also serves as a notice to other Catholic dioceses, religious communities and institutions that Fr. Adapore does not currently have authorization to exercise public ministry.
Most Rev. John Opoku-Agyemang has accordingly informed priests, members of religious institutes and the lay faithful across the diocese about the sanction.
Despite the disciplinary action, the bishop urged Catholics to continue praying for Fr. Adapore and for a peaceful resolution of the matter.
The diocese is expected to make alternative pastoral arrangements for the St. Anthony of Padua Rectorate to ensure that parishioners continue to receive sacramental and administrative support.
The suspension will remain effective until the diocesan bishop issues a further decree or determines that the circumstances justifying the sanction have been adequately addressed.
Source: Omanghana
