Adoa News Adoa News
The Catholic Diocese of Konongo-Mampong has disclosed that Rev. Fr. Samuel Adapore, who was recently suspended indefinitely, has been located at the Police Training Centre in Koforidua in the Eastern Region.
The Diocese made the disclosure in a statement issued on Thursday, August 27, 2026, following public criticism over the whereabouts and welfare of the priest.
Fr. Adapore was suspended from sacred functions on August 24 and prohibited from publicly administering the sacraments, celebrating or concelebrating Mass, and performing other liturgical services.
According to the Diocese, the priest was found at the Police Training Centre after independently deciding to enrol in a programme to join the Ghana Police Service.
It said he had chosen “on his own and singular volition” to enlist as a private individual and undergo training at the facility.
The Diocese did not disclose when Fr. Adapore arrived at the centre or provide further information about his decision to pursue a career with the Police Service.
Diocese responds to criticism
The development comes amid criticism on social media regarding the Diocese’s handling of Fr. Adapore’s absence and subsequent suspension.
Some critics had questioned whether adequate steps were taken to establish the priest’s whereabouts and welfare before the disciplinary measure was imposed.
Others also raised questions about the canonical basis and procedure used in suspending him, citing Canons 533 and 1717 and questioning whether his right to defend himself had been adequately protected.
The Diocese, however, rejected the notion that checking on the priest’s welfare was inconsistent with taking disciplinary action.
“The Church can ask whether a priest is safe while also determining whether he has abandoned his assignment without authorisation, and can seek his whereabouts while regulating his ministry,” it said.
According to the Diocese, an unexplained departure by a priest from his parish places a responsibility on the Bishop to ensure that pastoral duties continue and that the needs of the faithful are addressed.
It also rejected claims that the suspension represented an abandonment of Fr. Adapore.
Suspension does not mean priesthood has been revoked
The Diocese explained that suspension from sacred functions limits the exercise of specified priestly duties but does not terminate a priest’s status or mean that the Church has rejected him.
“The Church is, in effect, saying: ‘You are still our brother and our priest, but you cannot presently exercise certain priestly functions because of the circumstances surrounding your conduct,’” the Diocese stated.
It maintained that canonical discipline can also have a restorative purpose by preserving ecclesial order, addressing scandal and encouraging reform.
The Diocese further cautioned against calls for the public disclosure of every action taken to establish Fr. Adapore’s welfare.
It said confidentiality and the priest’s personal dignity must be respected throughout the process.
The Diocese urged the public not to portray the matter as a dispute between the Bishop and Fr. Adapore, but rather as a situation requiring a balance between the priest’s welfare and dignity, the pastoral responsibilities of the Diocese and the need to uphold Church discipline.