By News Desk | August 25, 2026
MAMPONG, Ghana — The Catholic Diocese of Konongo-Mampong in the Ashanti Region has indefinitely suspended Rev. Fr. Samuel Adapore from public priestly ministry after the Diocese said he left his pastoral assignment without legitimate permission and subsequently became unreachable.
The suspension, which took effect on Monday, August 24, 2026, prevents Fr. Adapore from publicly administering the sacraments, celebrating or concelebrating Mass and officiating at other liturgical services.
Fr. Adapore had been serving as Rector of St. Anthony of Padua Rectorate at Nkwantakese. The official website of the Konongo-Mampong Diocese also lists him in that position within the Boamang Deanery.
Diocese cites unauthorised absence
According to the diocesan statement, Bishop Most Rev. John Opoku-Agyemang reached the decision in consultation with the Diocese’s College of Consultors following what the Church described as serious acts involving the priest’s departure from his assignment.
The Diocese alleges that Fr. Adapore unilaterally decided to take a leave of absence and left his pastoral ministry at Nkwantakese without obtaining legitimate permission from the appropriate Church authority.
The Bishop further stated that the priest removed his personal belongings from the mission house before leaving.
Attempts by Church authorities to contact him have reportedly been unsuccessful. The diocesan statement said access to the priest had been blocked and that members of his immediate family had indicated that they did not know his whereabouts.
Canon law cited
The Diocese cited Canon 533 of the Catholic Church’s Code of Canon Law in relation to the case.
Canon 533 requires a parish priest to reside in the parish residence or, where there is a just reason, in another location authorised by the local Ordinary, provided adequate arrangements are made for the pastoral care of the parish. The canon also regulates extended absence from a parish.
The penalty imposed on Fr. Adapore is described as a suspension a divinis. Under Catholic canon law, suspension can prohibit a cleric from exercising some or all acts arising from Holy Orders, ecclesiastical governance or functions connected with an ecclesiastical office.
In Fr. Adapore’s case, the Diocese specifically said he is prohibited from publicly administering the sacraments, celebrating or concelebrating Mass and officiating at other liturgical services until further notice.
The suspension should not, by itself, be interpreted as dismissal from the priesthood. It restricts the exercise of the ministries specified by the competent Church authority while the sanction remains in force.
Bishop asks faithful to pray
Bishop Opoku-Agyemang described the action as a difficult decision taken in fulfilment of his responsibilities to the Church and appealed to Catholics within the Diocese to remember the suspended priest in prayer.
The Diocese has not publicly disclosed Fr. Adapore’s present location or announced how long the suspension will remain in place beyond stating that it is indefinite and effective until further notice.
Media reports reviewed as of August 25 did not contain a public response from Fr. Adapore to the allegations made in the diocesan statement.
The development has attracted attention across Ghana following the circulation of the diocesan communication and subsequent reports by several national and Catholic media outlets.