And Palmer-Buckle wept!

Front Page: Daily Graphic, May 10, 2010.
Story: Albert K. Salia
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, the Most Rev Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, broke down in tears on several occasions on Sunday, May 8, 2010, as he preached a sermon of forgiveness and reconciliation at the Martyrs of Uganda Catholic Church (MUCC).
The church was the same venue where last Sunday some irate members desecrated parts of the buildings in protest against some policies and demands of the Metropolitan Archbishop who was expected at the church for a confirmation service.
Not only was the visit to the MUCC unannounced; the Most Rev Palmer-Buckle also acknowledged that it was the second time he was shedding tears since joining the priesthood.
Intermittently breaking down in tears as he delivered the sermon, the Metropolitan Archbishop urged the congregation to use the unhappy incident to begin a new life by forging ahead in unity, love and peace.
“If, in any way, I have offended anyone, either by my utterances or actions, I ask for forgiveness for myself and for my priests,” he said and urged them to leave behind them the sad incident that occurred at the precincts of the church during his visit there last week.
“We can’t let our hearts be troubled or be afraid because of what happened here last Sunday,” he told the congregation in a sermon.
He reminded them that the church was not a museum of saints but a hospital for sinners, as Jesus Christ indicated in Luke 5:31-32, that “People who are well do not need a doctor, but only those who are sick. I have not come to call respectable people to repent, but outcasts.”
He, therefore, urged them to acknowledge their faults together and resolve them, for God might have a good purpose for what happened.
According to him, the congregation could not afford to let the world believe that they did the unthinkable or that the church was at loggerheads with itself.
The Most Rev Palmer-Buckle said what happened at the precincts of the church, the timing of the incident and its nature made him convinced that the perpetrators were neither Christians nor members of the MUCC.
He said the church had a duty to pray for the perpetrators so that the Holy Spirit would draw them to Christ.
He reminded the parishioners that the martyrs of Uganda were the pride of the church and pride of the lay apostolate, as the 22 men and women, including a 14-year-old boy, Kizito, died for their faith.
“I love you all. I need your love. Please love your priests, love one another,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Parish Pastoral Council of the MUCC has rendered an unqualified apology for the incident.
It said an investigative committee had been set up to look into the incident and urged anyone who had information on the incident to get in touch with the committee.
A statement issued by the PPC and read during yesterday’s church service noted that a date for repentance, renewal and re-dedication of the church would be announced later.
Members of the MUCC on May 2, 2010 received a rude shock when they turned up for worship only to find the sanctity of the church desecrated with human excreta and offensive posters by unknown persons.
The act was said to have been carried out at 3 a.m. in protest against some policies and demands of the Most Rev Palmer-Buckle, who was expected at the church for a confirmation service.
The first church service, which was to begin at 6:30 a.m., was delayed, as members had to wait for the mess and the strong stench which filled the air to be cleansed. The service eventually took place without any incident.
The perpetrators also tampered with the electrical works, ceiling fans and public address system of the church.