We publish herewith the telegram of condolence for the death, on Sunday 27 November 2022, of His Eminence Cardinal Richard Kuuia Baawobr, M. Afr., Bishop of Wa (Ghana), of the Title of St Mary Immaculate of Lourdes in Boccea, sent by the Holy Father Francis to the Apostolic Nunciature in Ghana:
Telegram from the Holy Father
HAVING LEARNED WITH SADNESS OF THE DEATH OF CARDINAL RICHARD KUUIA BAAWOBR, I EXTEND MY HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY AND THE MISSIONARIES OF AFRICA, AS WELL AS THE CLERGY, RELIGIOUS AND LAITY OF
THE DIOCESE OF WA. RECALLING WITH GRATITUDE CARDINAL BAAWOBR’S FAITHFUL WITNESS TO THE GOSPEL MARKED BY GENEROUS SERVICE TO THE CHURCH IN GHANA, ESPECIALLY TO THOSE MOST IN NEED, I WILLINGLY JOIN THE FAITHFUL IN PRAYING THAT OUR MERCIFUL FATHER MAY GRANT TO THIS WISE AND GENTLE PASTOR THE REWARD OF HIS LABOURS AND WELCOME HIM INTO THE LIGHT AND PEACE OF HEAVEN. TO ALL WHO MOURN THE LATE CARDINAL’S PASSING IN THE SURE HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION I IMPART MY BLESSING AS A PLEDGE OF CONSOLATION AND PEACE IN JESUS, THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD.
FRANCISCUS PP.
Note biografiche
Cardinal Richard Kuuia Baawobr, M. Afr., Bishop of Wa (Ghana), was born on 21 June 1959, in Tom-Zendagangn, diocese of Wa. He attended elementary school in the village, and continued his studies at Saint Francis Xavier minor seminary and Nandom Secondary School.
He entered Saint Victor diocesan major seminary in Tamale in 1979, and after his studies in philosophy, in 1981 he entered the Society of Missionaries of Africa, where he continued his preparation for the priesthood. From 1981 to 1982 he carried out his novitiate in Fribourg,
Switzerland. Then, from 1982 to 1987, he completed his theological studies at the Missionary Institute, London (MIL).
On 5 December 1986 he took his religious vows at Saint Edward’s College, London, and was ordained a priest on 18 July 1987.
fter priestly ordination, he first served as parish vicar in Livulu, archdiocese of Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (1987-1991). From 1991 to 1996 he studied exegesis at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and Ignatian Spirituality at Le Chatelard in Lyon, France,
where he was awarded a licentiate in Sacred Scripture and a doctorate in biblical theology. He then went on to serve as formator of the Missionaries of Africa in Kahangala, Tanzania (1996-1999); director of the formation house in Toulouse, France (1999-2004); first assistant general of the Missionaries of Africa (2004-2010); superior general of the Missionaries of Africa, the first African to hold this position (2010-2016), and vice Grand Chancellor of PISAI (Pontifical Institute of Arabic-Islamic Studies).
He was chosen by the Union of Superiors General to participate in the Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Family, 4-25 October 2015.
On 17 February 2016, the Holy Father Francis appointed him bishop of the diocese of Wa, Ghana, and on 4 July 2020, he was appointed member and consultor of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Pope Francis in the consistory of 27 August 2022, of the Title of S. Maria Immacolata di Lourdes a Boccea.
Cardinal Baawobr died on 27 November 2022.
