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Several months ago, our cameraman captured the side view of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Basilica, Navrongo: the Mother Church of the North.
In this picture, is the front view of the Minor Basilica, which portrays its architectural beauty.
Explaining why the status of Minor Basilica was conferred on the Church, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Rev. George Kocherry, said it was being recognised for its historical significance, its religious importance, architectural design and its relevance as a centre for pastoral and liturgical life of the people for the past hundred years.
The Standard recalls that on May 27, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI declared Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Cathedral, Navrongo, a Minor Basilica with the following privileges and rights: a pilgrimage centre where indulgence could be obtained on specific days and functions.
Others are a centre for spiritual formation in the form of devotion, retreat, workshops, seminars, Eucharistic adoration and procession.
Above all, a Vatican territory where the Papal flag flies daily, bringing the peace of the Eternal City and the blessing of the Holy Pontiff to all.
The construction of the Our Lady of Seven Sorrows started – all in mud, in 1919.
On April 23, 1956, the Diocese of Navrongo was established independent of Tamale. Bishop Gerard Bertrand became the first Bishop of the Navrongo Diocese (1956-1973).
On April 13, 1973, the See was transferred to Bolgatanga and the Diocese became known as the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese, with the Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Cathedral becoming Co-Cathedral with the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bolgatanga.
At the opening Mass of one-hundred years of evangelisation of Northern Ghana, Most Rev. Gregory Kpiebaya, Metropolitan Archbishop of Tamale Ecclesiastical Province, described Navrongo as the “Bethlehem of the North.”
* It was here in Navrongo that Catholic faith first entered Northern Ghana.
* The tombs of some of those who brought us the faith are here.
* The first Eucharist was celebrated here in Navrongo and the first Baptism as well.
He added that “Navrongo is the cradle of our faith and so, we are indeed on a pilgrimage to the source of our faith.”
The Bishop of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese, Most Rev. Lucas Abadamloora, the current President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, succeeded Most Rev. Rudolph Akanlu of blessed memory in June, 1994.
By Kwesi Yirenkyi Boateng
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