The Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish traces its roots back to the days of colonialism that came with the spread of Christianity across many parts of Africa.
In a bid to establish the church, on February 1, 1925, the Regional Superior of the White fathers and others including Father, Barsalou, and Fr. Chanterau, explored the possibilities of establishing the church in Nangodi and Bolgatanga.
Per the archives of the church, due to population dynamics, permission was granted by the then Governor of the Gold Coast in 1926 for the commencement of the church in Bolgatanga.
This then gave birth to the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish, established with the hope that the people of Bolgatanga will “receive from his infinite goodness, the special blessings he promised to the blessed Margaret-Mary.”
100 years on, the church, which has since become a part of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocese, has led to the transformation of lives, the education of many, and the creation of jobs through its humanitarian ventures and equally led the charge for the restoration of peace in some conflicting areas.
On Sunday, April 14, 2024, the Centenary anniversary of the church was launched during its first mass. The year-long celebration is under the theme; “celebrating 100 years of walking together as a family of God.”
The Parish has under it, 7 parishes and 1 rectorate, comprising Our Lady, Queen of Africa (OLA Parish), Bolgatanga, St. Anne’s Parish, Bongo, St. Joseph’s Parish, Bolgatanga-Soe, St. Theresa’s Parish, Tongo, St. Paul’s Parish, Walewale. The rest are, St. Martin’s de Pores Parish, Zuarungu, St. Francis of Assisi Rectorate, Sumbrungu, and St. Theresa’s Rectorate, Zorko(Born out of St. Anne’s Parish, Bongo) and this follows years of expansion and the extension of its reach to other areas.
Speaking during the mass before his pronouncements officially launching the 100th anniversary, Bishop of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Alfred Agyenta, lamented that the Catholic Church is losing people and called for a reflection.
He explained that as part of the anniversary, the church should do stalk-taking to understand how it is placed, adding the Catholic Family is in difficulty.
“The church is growing but they are still telling us that we are losing people. We need to be able to look at what is happening so we need to make time and look at what is happening. As we mark these 100 years, we need to reflect because it’s true. I believe some of you know some people who have left the church and gone to other places.
What is the health of our parish? We need to know the population of our parish and I will want to draw your attention to some of the challenges. The first thing is our families. The Catholic Family is in difficulty. How many families pray together?” The respected Bishop questioned.
He further lamented the high rate of broken marriages with many individuals who got wedded in the church constantly asking for the annulment of their marriages.
According to him, the Christian family is facing difficulties including parents not having time for their children.
“Today there are a lot of people who are not willing to get married in the church or broken marriages are also on the rise. The number of people asking for their marriages to be annulled is on the rise.” He decried.
Several activities have been lined up as part of marking the anniversary, which climaxes in June 2025 including a local Gospel Night, Catholic Education Week, Radio engagement on the Centenary anniversary, pilgrimage to Navrogo Basilica which will see members walk by foot, health screening, and blood donation. Others are hospital visitation, Centenary vocation promotion, 60th Priestly anniversary of Msgr. Aboteyuure, 14th anniversary of the Episcopal ordination of Bishop Agyenta amongst others.
