Top Catholic bishop in Western Region passes on

The Most Reverend John Martin Darko, Catholic Bishop Emeritus of the Sekondi/Takoradi Diocese, has passed on.

Very Rev. Father Eric Awortwe-Dadson, Delegate of the Apostolic Administrator, told the GNA that he died on January 12 at the Our Lady of Grace Catholic Hospital at Breman Asikuma in the Central Region.

Most Rev Darko, who hails from Aboadze in the Western Region, studied for the priesthood at the St Teresa’s and St Peter’s Seminaries at Elmina and Cape Coast respectively and was ordained on July 25, 1976.

He went on to the Pontifical Urban University in Rome where he obtained a doctorate degree in philosophy.

He served as the Vice Rector and Dean of Studies of the St Paul’s Catholic Seminary at Sowutuom in Accra, Episcopal Chairman for the Department of Strategic Investment at the National Catholic Secretariat and Vicar General of the Sekondi/Takoradi Diocese.

Most Rev. Bishop Darko was elected Bishop in July 11, 1998 and consecrated and enthroned on October 10, 1998 and served until retiring in December 14, 2011 due to ill-health.

Source: GNA