Stop Using Catholic Church Chapels for Political Activities -Ghana Catholic Bishops
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has issued a firm directive prohibiting the use of consecrated church buildings for partisan political campaigning, rallies, or speeches, describing such practices as a “fundamental contradiction” that profanes sacred space.
In a pastoral letter titled “Safeguarding Sacred Space: A Pastoral Directive on Political Neutrality” and signed by Conference President, the Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, the bishops declared that Catholic churches, as consecrated houses of God, must remain “a house of prayer for all peoples” as stated in Isaiah 56:7.
“The use of any consecrated Catholic church building for partisan political campaigning, rallies, or speeches is strictly forbidden at all times,” the directive issued on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 stated, citing Canon 1210 of the Code of Canon Law which limits activities in sacred places to those serving worship, piety, and religion.
The bishops grounded their position in Scripture, recalling Christ’s cleansing of the Temple in Mark 11:17: “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. But you have made it a den of robbers.”
While affirming the Church’s respect for political freedom, the bishops emphasised that the Church “cannot and must not identify with any political party or faction.” They warned that permitting partisan activities in churches creates scandal and misleads the faithful.
The directive, dated February 18, 2026, acknowledges that recent political developments prompted the intervention, noting with concern that “some of the venues involved were Catholic churches.”
Under the new norms, political figures are welcome to attend Mass as private worshippers but must not use the liturgy or sanctuary as a political platform. On special occasions like parish anniversaries, dignitaries may offer brief, non-partisan greetings only after the concluding rites.
Non-partisan civic education or community events may be held in parish halls or other ancillary facilities but require written permission from the local ordinary. Such events must remain accessible to all and avoid any partisan exploitation that could create confusion about the Church’s neutrality.
The bishops directed parish priests and parochial councils to apply the directive faithfully and to proactively inform political actors of suitable non-sacred alternative venues.
The Conference also mandated catechesis on the theology of sacred space and Catholic social teaching through homilies and formation programmes to reinforce understanding of the directive.
“By protecting the sacred character of our places of worship, we safeguard the integrity of our mission,” the bishops concluded. “Only a Church that remains steadfastly a ‘house of prayer for all peoples’ can credibly call every person and party towards the higher demands of justice, truth, and the authentic common good.”
The directive takes immediate effect across all dioceses, parishes, and Catholic institutions in Ghana.
Source: Vanessa Kekeli Yeboah//Newswatchgh.com
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