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TECHIMAN DIOCESAN PRIESTS’ ASSOCIATION (TEDPA)
“By virtue of the sacred ordination and of their common mission, all Priests are united together by bonds of intimate brotherhood, which manifests itself in a spontaneously and gladly given mutual help, whether spiritual or temporal, whether pastoral or personal, through the medium of reunions and community life, work and fraternal charity” (Lumen Gentium 28). In view of this provision, the Diocesan Priests of the Catholic Diocese of Techiman have come together to form an association called Techiman Diocesan Priests’ Association (TEDPA). This Association helps to foster unity, fraternal love, support, collaboration, and friendship among the Priests to promote and coordinate integral development in the Diocese and beyond.
Canon 281 §2 requires that suitable provisions for the welfare of priests in time of infirmity, sickness and old age are made in each Diocese. The Priests in Ghana, in general, and Techiman Diocese in particular, are not paid monthly salary but are only provided with room and board to facilitate their ministry. The Diocesan Priests in the Diocese are Fifty (50) in number this year. At the time of the creation of the Diocese, there were only Twenty-four (24). Thus, within thirteen years, the number of Priests has more than doubled. There are seventy seven (77) major seminarians at the various stages of formation. We anticipate a greater increase in the number of Priests in the shortest possible future.
Also, many of the Priests are in the middle age bracket and are more likely to retire at close intervals. A well-structured plan to take care of their health needs, accommodation and transportation is therefore needed. Unfortunately, since the Priests are not on any regular and structured salary and they are unable to contribute to any social security scheme and retirement plans for their future.
TEDPA since 2018, with the consent and support of the bishop, established a scheme to provide for its members in their retirement and infirmities/incapacitation. We know that matters relating to health and retirement demand huge financial investment. TEDPA has realized that the investment made from our small contributions will take time to grow. As we know, health and retirement cannot wait till when one has money. The area of work too is mostly rural with low-income levels. It is extremely difficult, and in some cases almost impossible, for the people to contribute towards adequate upkeep of their priests now. Thus, getting contributions from the local people alone to cater for the future retirement and health needs of the priests is, to say the least, an almost impossibility.
