Investigating the Relationship between Priests and Lay-Ministers in the Healing and Deliverance Ministry in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Accra

Abstract

This research sets out to explore the kind of relationship that exists between priests and lay- ministers in the ministry of healing and deliverance in the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, and the pastoral implications of this relationship. This research was conducted against the backdrop of the upsurge of the practice of the ministry of healing and deliverance mostly by lay ministers in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. The research was conducted as a practical theological study, an approach which seeks to apply theology to life. The method used to collect the data included participant observation of healing and deliverance services, focus group discussions and individual interviews. The research has shown that priests and layfaithful in the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra have appreciable knowledge of the renewed understanding of ministry brought about by Vatican Council II. The research has also shown that even though priests and lay ministers respond to issues about healing and deliverance, there have been instances where there were little or no collaboration between them. The results point to the inevitability of the Catholic Church‘s call to relive its mission of ministering to the needs of the people of God through a collaborative ministry. This research also points to the fact that priests and lay ministers are important for the continuous realization of the vision of Vatican Council II. The research is structured as an argument for a pastoral turn toward healing and deliverance in the Catholic Church, and a collaborative notion of ministry, which is inevitable for the spiritual growth of the Church. This work seeks to contribute to the current academic debate on healing and deliverance ministry. Furthermore, it seeks to contribute to the body of knowledge regarding the pastoral implications of the relationship between priests and lay-ministers in the healing and deliverance ministry. The research recommends that since priests and lay ministers are important for the continuous realization of the vision of Vatican Council II, there is the need to commission studies into the hierarchical and charismatic gifts and how they can collaborate to bring about better pastoral ministry in the Church.