Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Cardinal Peter Poreku Dery, retired archbishop of Tamale (Ghana) died March 6, at 89 years of age. The Holy Father Benedict XVI expressed his condolences and prayers in a telegram, sent to Archbishop Gregory Ebo Kpibaya of Tamale, and Mr. Alipo Poreku, the Cardinal’s brother.
“Having received with sorrow the news of the death of Cardinal Peter Poreku Dery, Archbishop Emeritus of Tamale, I extend my heartfelt condolences to you and to the priests, religious and lay faithful of the archdiocese. This devoted pastor has left behind a shining legacy of prayer, humble obedience to the will of God and love of neighbor. He gave himself with generous heart to his priestly and episcopal ministry at the service of the faithful of the Diocese of Wa and the Archdiocese of Tamale for many years, preaching the Gospel in difficult conditions with the love of a father, great zeal and simplicity of heart, constantly attentive to the needs of the poor. As I commend his soul to the loving mercy of our heavenly Father, and as a pledge of consolation and strength to those who mourn, I cordially impart my apostolic blessing to all present at the solemn liturgical celebration. Benedictus PP. XVI.”
Cardinal Peter Poreku Dery was born May 10, 1918 in Ko, in the Diocese of Wa (Ghana). He was the fourth of ten children. His father and uncle were both priests in the traditional religion of dagaaba. Thus, he was brought up with a special sensitivity for the religious. As a young man, he was left deeply impressed by an encounter with the head of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers), Father R. McCoy. He was baptized December 24, 1932, along with 10 other Ghanan people. These were the first Catholics of the northwestern region of Ghana. After attending the school for catechists, he was sent to study at the higher learning center of Navrongo, where he completed his studies in 1939 and entered in the local minor seminary. Following completion of his studies in philosophy and theology in Amisano and Wiagha, he was ordained a priest on February 11, 1951, in St. Therea’s Church in Nandom. He was the first dagao to become a Catholic priest. In 1957, he was sent to Kaleo, as the first African parish priest in the Diocese of Tamale. Thanks to a scholarship, he attended the St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish (Canada) and in 1958, received a degree in Social Studies. Upon his return to the diocese, he was appointed Vicar General and Administrator of the Cathedral. On November 3, 1959, the Diocese of Wa was established and on March 16, 1960, he was appointed its first Bishop, being its first indigenous Bishop, as well. On May 8, 1960, in Rome, he was ordained a bishop by Blessed John XXIII.
He worked intensely for the correct inculturalization of the liturgy and was especially dedicated to education, founding the St. Francis Xavier Minor Seminary in Wa, a secondary school for boys from Jirapa. In 1972, he was named Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Tamale and had to divide his time between Wa and Tamale, until he was finally transferred to Tamale on November 18, 1972. On May 30, 1977, Tamale was raised to an archdiocese, and he became its first archbishop. On May 26, 1994, John Paul II accepted his resignation of pastoral government. From then on, he began to actively collaborate with the new Archbishop. He also received awards and recognition for his contribution to the promotion of human development. He was a member of the State Council and of the “Ghana Education Service Council.” He was also a member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity and was elected twice as President of the Ghanan Bishops’ Conference. For 22 years, he was the Bishop in charge of the formation of the laity in Ghana; then Treasurer of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM); Coordinator for the Pan-African Council for the Laity; and head of the lay apostolates in 9 African zones. He was created Cardinal on March 25, 2006, by Benedict XVI. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 10/3/2008; righe 50, parole 691)
