Ghanaian priest enjoying sabbatical in Salina so much, he's staying another two years

More than 6,000 miles away from where he served in Somanya, Ghana, the Rev. Ernest Amoako-Opare was sent to Salina for sabbatical for one year beginning in September 2021, but he's had such a good time in Salina he's decided to stay even longer.

Before coming to Salina, Amoako-Opare, who was born and raised in Ghana, served as the registrar at Mount Mary College of Education, in the Diocese of Koforidua in Ghana.

When Amoako-Opare was due for a sabbatical, a time of rest and travel from one's duties, the bishop of his diocese, the Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, connected with the Bishop of the Diocese of Salina, the Rev. Jerry Vincke.

"The two of them spoke, and I was granted a sabbatical here," Amoako-Opare said. "Having worked at the college for 10 or 11 years continuously, I needed a break."

Salina different from his previous time in the U.S.

This isn't the first time Amoako-Opare has spent a long period of time in the United States, as he completed a Master of Educational Administration from St. John's University in New York.

"This is the first time I've been to Kansas, and the situation is different," he said.

While Amoako-Opare loves New York and has returned there several summers, he said he has really enjoyed his time in Kansas, especially the slower-paced life of the people.

"(There's) less people, it's not too busy and it's much less (an attitude of being) in a rush," he said.

The best part about being in Salina, he said, is definitely the people.

"They are very nice," Amoako-Opare said. "Everyone welcomes me, and they are good people."

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While he has been in Salina, Amoako-Opare has performed the duties of a priest, like celebrating Mass, listening to confession and administering the sacraments including Holy Communion. These duties allow him to be close to parishioners, something he enjoys.

"I enjoy being with the people, sharing the word of God with them, praying with them (and) letting them know that God loves them, irrespective of their condition," he said.

A visit to Salina from his bishop

Just before his one-year anniversary of being in Salina, Amoako-Opare was able to welcome Afrifah-Agyekum, his bishop, to the community here.

"Since COVID, the bishop had not come to the U.S., but he has priests in New York, Florida and me here in Kansas," Amoako-Opare said. "He decided to take this time to visit his priests."

In addition to visiting his priests, Afrifah-Agyekum also wanted to take time to visit with the bishops his priests were serving with while in the U.S.

"In the case of my bishop and Bishop Vincke, they had never met (in-person), they only talked over the phone or through emails," Amoako-Opare said.

It was a good visit to the Salina Diocese as well. Amoako-Opare said Afrifah-Agyekum shared his relief at the community being much quieter and slower-paced than those of the bustling metropolitan cities like New York.

"(Vincke) welcomed him very well, and was very friendly," Amoako-Opare said.

Amoako-Opare knew that the visit would go well, especially with how great his own welcome was when he first arrived and his own experience serving with Vincke.

"He's somebody you can easily approach and discuss your issues with," Amoako-Opare said.

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Staying longer and taking on more duties

Amoako-Opare's joy of being around the people and community in the Salina Diocese will continue longer than originally planned.

Though his time of one year in Salina was set to end this month, the two bishops he serves under decided he has been such a good fit that he has now been granted two more years, continuing until 2024.

As part of that continued time in the Salina Diocese, Amoako-Opare is set to take on the role of pastor in Hill City as well. He will remain in Salina and serve his parish but commute to western Kansas each week.

"I've just been given (that) appointment," Amoako-Opare said. "God willing, I will report there on Oct. 1."

He said the Catholic church is universal, so even though he is from another country and will now be serving a different group of people in Kansas, Amoako-Opare doesn't have to learn new traditions.

"Apart from language, everything is the same or similar everywhere," he said.

Even the largest difference within the church of language isn't a huge obstacle for Amoako-Opare as he serves in the United States.

"Having grown up in Ghana, we were colonized by the British, so there are different dialects, but English cuts across (all people)," he said. "So coming to the U.S. isn't difficult at all."

This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Salina to continue welcoming Ghanaian priest on extended sabbatical