The remains of the Founder and Presiding Bishop of the Christian Praise International Centre (CPIC), Bishop Prof. Augustine Annor-Yeboah, were laid to rest in Accra last Saturday after a solemn funeral service at the forecourt of the State House.
By 12:30p.m. when the pallbearers carrying the casket of the late CPIC Bishop set off from the State House for his private interment, under the escort of horse guards and the Ghana Army Band in a slow march, the funeral procession looked magnificent, but the eyes of many CPIC members and loved ones were too tearful to behold.
The tears and wailing had been rolled over from the vigil service held last Friday night, as the congregation bade farewell to their founder who nurtured a fast-growing church in the country, with the establishment of 207 branches and a membership of about 20,000 within 11 years.
Sermon
The Founder and Presiding Bishop of the Perez Chapel International, Bishop Charles Agyinasare, had earlier consoled the grieving church in a sermon when he said: “Today is not a day for mourning but for celebration; today is not a day for regret but for rejoicing.’’
Tributes
In a tribute, the CPIC Apostolic Council said Bishop Prof. Annor-Yeboah was a teacher, motivator, evangelist and visionary leader “who we cherish so much.’’
In her tribute, the widow, Mrs Cecilia Rebecca Annor-Yeboah, said the entire life of Bishop Prof. Annor-Yeboah was devoted to his church, family and country.
For their part, the children of the late CPIC founder – Mavis, Jemima, Deborah, Keren and Julia – described their father as their hero, protector, friend and spiritual guide.
Dignitaries & reconciliation
The dignitaries who attended the funeral ceremony included clergymen, traditional rulers and politicians.
The presence of some pastors and members of the Christ Apostolic Church International (CACI), where Bishop Prof. Annor-Yeboah served as General Secretary and acting Chairman for almost two decades, until he severed ties with it in 2003, was a major talking point among mourners.
The General Secretary of CACI, Apostle Emmanuel Osei Donkor, told journalists that the presence of the CACI leadership and members at the funeral ceremony underlined the church’s desire to seek reconciliation with the CPIC.
He said Bishop Prof. Annor-Yeboah was a good administrator, motivator and spiritual head, putting the blame of the dispute between CACI and its former chairman at the doorstep of the devil.
CPIC response
But the Solicitor of the CPIC, Mr Williwise Kyeremeh, said in accordance with the dying wishes of Bishop Prof. Annor-Yeboah, the church could not accept the olive branch being extended by the CACI.
“The answer is a big no,” he said, explaining that Bishop Prof. Annor-Yeboah had made two wishes before his death – the first was the need for unity in CPIC and for the leadership to avoid fighting over positions, and the second was that CPIC should never merge with CACI.
Bishop Prof. Annor-Yeboah died at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital on Thursday, June 26, 2014 after a short illness.
