Have you heard the whispers carried on the Accra winds? These whispers speak of the Church of the wailing banshees. This church stands as a testament to faith. It also reflects the complex history of Ghana. Today, let’s explore the story of faith in Accra.
The Church of the wailing banshees stands as a place of worship. Ghana has a rich religious history. Christianity is professed by at least 71% of its people. Churches have grown significantly. They have branched out to other African countries. They even reached other continents.
In 1884, Rev Kwamin Ntsetse Bresi-Ando was born. He later founded a Ghanaian church community in 1932. This community became the Orthodox Church of Ghana in 1982. It was within the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria. Bresi-Ando had a vision. It was for religious, cultural, economic and political emancipation. This was during British colonial rule.
Bresi-Ando was originally a minister in the Methodist Church. In 1926, he left and started his own church in Nigeria. It was named “The United Free Church of Africa.” By 1929, it was renamed “The Primitive Apostolic African Church”.
In 1932, Bresi-Ando returned to Ghana. With his half-brother, he launched the Gold Coast branch of his church. It was an all-African run Protestant church. Many members defected from the Methodist Church to join him.
Between 1932 and 1935, Bresi-Ando’s church experienced rapid growth. Many parishes were started. Quite a few schools were opened. Many Africans expected African-Americans to return from America. However, only one came.
In 1935, Bresi-Ando searched for a new religious affiliation in London. He sought deeper historical roots. He connected with Archbishop Churchill Sibley. Sibley consecrated Bresi-Ando a bishop. He was named “Mar Kwamin I”. He was set up as “Prince-Patriarch” of his own autocephalous church.
Returning to Ghana, Bresi-Ando reorganized his parishes. He added “Orthodox Catholic” to the church’s name. He adopted Roman Catholic-style doctrines and practices.
In 1945, Priest Edonu became Bresi-Ando’s “Deputy Bishop”. He gathered the faithful in the Central Region. His assistant, Fr Gregory Labi, worked in the Eastern Region. Around ten parishes remained faithful.
In 1951, Bresi-Ando’s church simplified its name to “The Orthodox Catholic Church”. They stressed their Orthodoxy. They believed there were other Orthodox churches.
In 1955, Bishop Bresi-Ando visited Ghana. After touring his parishes, he returned to Nigeria in 1956. In 1956, Deputy Bishop Edonu oversaw the construction of the St Raphael Healing Shrine. Church members began an annual pilgrimage.
About 1957, the Greek community tried to build a church in Accra. They did not know of Bresi-Ando’s church. In 1970, Bresi-Ando returned to Ghana. He was old and ill. In October 1970, Bishop Bresi-Ando died. His church was left orphaned.
In July 1971, the youth formed the Orthodox Youth Organization. Their aim was to resuscitate the church. They sought clergy and uniform doctrines. They believed their church was part of a larger global family.
In 1972, the church had 1,998 members. It consisted of 12 parishes. In 1972, youth leader Godfried Mantey found a book about the Orthodox Church. The youth intensified their search.
In 1974, the youth connected with Orthodox clergymen. They were present for a World Council of Churches meeting. It was determined that Bresi-Ando’s church was non-canonical. Instruction and canonical Reception were required. The link to global Orthodoxy had begun.
In 1982, Archbishop Irinios received the Ghanaian community into canonical Orthodoxy. It was through Holy Baptism and Chrismation. Several priests and deacons were ordained. About 1,500 Ghanaians were baptized. The Orthodox Church in Ghana was established.
The Church of the wailing banshees stands as a symbol of resilience. It embodies faith. It mirrors the story of Christianity in Ghana. It is a legacy that continues to this day.