Asenta - Religion

An African Catholic Church in Albany By Dr. Frank Essien I believe the basic philosophy underlying the sprouting of African versions of main line churches in the U.S. can be traced to the same question that the Israelites in captivity in Babylon raised, "how can we serve the Lord in a strange land?" A look at the church directory in Asenta gives the reader the number of what I term Ghanaian-flavored churches. Be they Methodist, Catholic, Presbyterian, etc. the basic service is to worship the Lord "in the way we are used to worship back home". I find everything right with this because it does raise one's spirit. Besides, I see good reasons for us to create things we used to enjoy when we were in our home countries, especially since we have no plans to return home soon. I personally enjoy the way we conduct the worship services at many Ghanaian churches especially the Ghana Methodist churches in the Bronx and Brooklyn. However, this article is about an African-flavored Catholic Church in Albany, New York State's Capital. The Black Catholic Apostolate of Albany, NY is in the Diocese of Albany. This church is located in Arbor Hill, a predominantly black neighborhood home to many Africans, African-Americans, and people from Caribbean nations and South America. Rev. Fr. Kofi Ntsiful Amissah, an ordained Catholic Priest from Ghana started this church 15 years ago, with the sole purpose of reaching out to the population in Arbor Hill and its surrounding areas. There is no gainsaying the church’s accomplishment of its objectives. This year, it marked its l5th anniversary on August 29,1999 with a wonderful celebration that made Catholics out of staunch Protestants like myself for that day. In attendance were prominent political and community leaders including the Albany County Executive, Mr. Michael Breslin, Ms. Betty Barnette, the Albany City Treasurer who represented the Mayor's office, Assemblyman Paul Tanko and many others.	Although the program embraced all blacks and other racial groups that the church caters to, it had a solid Ghanaian flavor -- the robes of the officiating Ministers and the choir with its rendition of typically-Ghanaian gospel songs, and the church’s interior decoration. The choir's captivating performance was a big credit to the hardworking virtuoso organist, Mr. Martin Amissah. In recognition of the diversity of its membership, the church paraded national flags at the beginning of the service. There were national flags from Ghana, Nigeria, Congo Democratic Republic, Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guyana, Italy and many nations. The Bishop of the Albany Diocese, The Most Reverend Howard Hubbard who was the main speaker, congratulated the church and acknowledged Fr. Ntsiful for his foresight and leadership. The Bishop apologized again, as he did the previous year for the evil of racism in the society, including the Catholic Church. The Bishop condemned past practices in the church that kept blacks away and in the lower echelon of the church. There was no doubt that the Bishop was very sincere in his remarks, The service was capped with a big love feast where all people savored the best of African cuisine under a big canopy. I invite all readers to make a pilgrimage to Albany, NY for the 16th anniversary in August 2000. You will be very spiritually enriched while having fun within a family of Christian African brothers and sisters. @s

An African Catholic Church in Albany

By Dr. Frank Essien

I believe the basic philosophy underlying the sprouting of African versions of main line churches in the U.S. can be traced to the same question that the Israelites in captivity in Babylon raised, "how can we serve the Lord in a strange land?" A look at the church directory in Asenta gives the reader the number of what I term Ghanaian-flavored churches. Be they Methodist, Catholic, Presbyterian, etc. the basic service is to worship the Lord "in the way we are used to worship back home". I find everything right with this because it does raise one's spirit. Besides, I see good reasons for us to create things we used to enjoy when we were in our home countries, especially since we have no plans to return home soon. I personally enjoy the way we conduct the worship services at many Ghanaian churches especially the Ghana Methodist churches in the Bronx and Brooklyn. However, this article is about an African-flavored Catholic Church in Albany, New York State's Capital.

The Black Catholic Apostolate of Albany, NY is in the Diocese of Albany. This church is located in Arbor Hill, a predominantly black neighborhood home to many Africans, African-Americans, and people from Caribbean nations and South America. Rev. Fr. Kofi Ntsiful Amissah, an ordained Catholic Priest from Ghana started this church 15 years ago, with the sole purpose of reaching out to the population in Arbor Hill and its surrounding areas. There is no gainsaying the church’s accomplishment of its objectives. This year, it marked its l5th anniversary on August 29,1999 with a wonderful celebration that made Catholics out of staunch Protestants like myself for that day. In attendance were prominent political and community leaders including the Albany County Executive, Mr. Michael Breslin, Ms. Betty Barnette, the Albany City Treasurer who represented the Mayor's office, Assemblyman Paul Tanko and many others.

Although the program embraced all blacks and other racial groups that the church caters to, it had a solid Ghanaian flavor -- the robes of the officiating Ministers and the choir with its rendition of typically-Ghanaian gospel songs, and the church’s interior decoration. The choir's captivating performance was a big credit to the hardworking virtuoso organist, Mr. Martin Amissah.

In recognition of the diversity of its membership, the church paraded national flags at the beginning of the service. There were national flags from Ghana, Nigeria, Congo Democratic Republic, Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guyana, Italy and many nations.

The Bishop of the Albany Diocese, The Most Reverend Howard Hubbard who was the main speaker, congratulated the church and acknowledged Fr. Ntsiful for his foresight and leadership. The Bishop apologized again, as he did the previous year for the evil of racism in the society, including the Catholic Church. The Bishop condemned past practices in the church that kept blacks away and in the lower echelon of the church. There was no doubt that the Bishop was very sincere in his remarks,

The service was capped with a big love feast where all people savored the best of African cuisine under a big canopy. I invite all readers to make a pilgrimage to Albany, NY for the 16th anniversary in August 2000. You will be very spiritually enriched while having fun within a family of Christian African brothers and sisters. @s