A Study of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Grotto in the Nkoranza South Municipality

Abstract

For many decades, sacred spaces have become an indispensable part of individuals and collective spirituality. The Roman Catholic Church is not left out in this form of spirituality. The Grottos have become places where some Catholics and also, non-Catholics go to ‘wait upon the Lord’ and to seek spiritual nourishment, growth and breakthroughs in their lives. This study has examined one of such sacred spaces, particularly, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Grotto in Jerusalem No.2 in the Nkoranza South Municipality, and in the Techiman Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Ghana. The study sought to unearth the complex narratives of identity, programmes, and activities of the Grotto. It also aimed at unravelling the challenges and contributions of this sacred space in the lives of pilgrims, the community, and the church. With Gottlieb S. Roger’s theory on the Sacred Earth, the researcher used interviews, discussions, questionnaires and participant observation as tools for the collection of the primary data that helped to ascertain the spirituality and activities of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Grotto in Jerusalem No.2. The study found out that there are no written documents on the history or the biography of the founder of the Grotto. It also discovered that the leaders of the Grotto engage in teachings that are not in line with the Roman Catholic faith and tradition. Although it appears some of these teachings are influences from both the indigenous worldview of the area and some influences from the Pentecostal/Charismatic church in Ghana, further research is needed to more clearly substantiate these claims. Apart from these, it was revealed that there is some level of financial mismanagement on the side of the leaders that manage the Grotto. Based on these findings, this study has recommended that more work should be done on sacred sites in Ghana.