Joint Resolution of the Supreme Subordinate Commandery & Ladies’ Auxiliary

Joint Resolution Issued at the End of the 11^th Biennial Convention of the Supreme Subordinate Commandery of the Knights of St. John International and Ladies’ Auxiliary, Under the Theme: “Journeying Together Towards A Synodal Church – The Role of the Knights of St. John International. (Knights And Ladies)”; Held at the University for Development Studies, Dungu Campus – Tamale, From October 5 – 8, 2023.

A. WHEREAS the Knights of St. John International and Ladies’ Auxiliary is an international Catholic fraternal organization committed to life and mission to the Catholic Church and service to humanity;

B. AND WHEREAS the Supreme Subordinate Commandery and Ladies’ Auxiliary of Ghana held their 11th Biennial Supreme Subordinate Conventions respectively from the 5th to the 8th day of October 2023 at the University of Development Studies, Dungu Campus, Tamale under the theme, “Journeying together towards a synodal church – the Role of the Knights of St. John International. (Knights and Ladies)”;

C. AND WHEREAS the members of the Supreme Subordinate Commandery and Ladies’ Auxiliary recognize fully the essence of synodality and the impact of the lay faithful, especially the Knights of St. John International and Ladies’ Auxiliary on the advancement of the Church;

D. AND WHEREAS the Church on October 9, 2021, held a Synod on Synodality under the theme, “For a Synodal Church Communion, Participation and Mission.”;

E. AND WHEREAS the Supreme Subordinate Commandery and Ladies’ Auxiliary as corporate bodies and their members recognize and appreciate the integral role they have in the journey towards a synodal church and are willing to undergo through the synodality processes which have communion, participation and mission as main pillars.

NOW THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY JOINTLY RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:

1. That every Knight or Lady changes his or her attitude and to recognize, appreciates and respects the special role each member of the Church plays as well as the need to decide and move together.
2. That every Knight or Lady should aspire and desire to live in unity with one another; together practise and share the faith in God within the tenets of the Catholic Church; remain an active and diligent communicant and build a sense of charity towards all.
3. That every Knight or Lady should be loyal to the authority and leadership of the church in line with the core principles of the Order of St. John International.
4. That Knights and Ladies, as Laity, and being individually unique and empowered (gifted) by the Holy Spirit, should get involved and remain active in the functions and activities of the Church; listen to one another in humility and with respect and exercise discernment.
5. That henceforth every Knight or Lady should endeavour to embark on evangelization in response to the Holy Father, the Pope’s call for a new evangelization, which is a Christian mission to propagate the faith and the word of Christ by the continuous practice of the Catholic faith by observing an individual to individual, family to family discussion of the faith and word of God;
6. That every Knight or Lady, irrespective of his or her profession should aspire to take up functional positions or roles at the various echelons of the hierarchy of the Church including the office of the Catechist to impart Catholic doctrines and with dedication and commitment to perform not only to ameliorate the dwindling numbers of the members of the church but succeed in winning souls for Christ and the Church.
7. That every Knight or Lady is enjoined to participate in the formation of the faith of the children at home by ‘consciously de-secularizing’ the homes; at school by inculcating in the education curriculum with teachings and virtues of the Christian faith and principles, and at church by continuous teaching of the faith and word of God and practice the gifts of the Holy Spirit and supporting the sick and needy in the church.
8. That the Supreme Subordinate Commandery and Ladies’ Auxiliary should be proactive and expressly and publicly issue statements in support of the statement of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference on national issues including its abhorrence of LGBTQ++.
9. That more Commanderies and Ladies’ Auxiliaries of the Knights of St. John International should be established to project the mission of the Catholic Church.
10. That the Supreme Subordinate Commandery and Ladies’ Auxiliary undertake a viable business venture with the object of generating income to reduce the financial burden on members.
11. That Cadets Commanderies and Juniors Auxiliaries should be aided to be represented at all levels of the Ghana Catholic Youth Council.

JOINTLY RESOLVED THIS 7TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2023.

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