Father Joeker

By Fr Joseph Panabang SVD

Decision on Complexion

Out of idle curiosity, one village teacher wanted to know why I had chosen Ghana as my mission. I replied, ‘When I was asked to choose, I looked first at my skin, thought of Ghana, and told myself that I must go to a place where I will be easily inculturated by color’.

Royal Taster

Fr Augustine Villanueva SVD from Baguio City, our Acting Provincial Superior stopped at Kintampo. During breakfast, we were not sure whether the cheese was still good or not. ‘Let me taste it first,’ I said. I took first one piece, then another, bigger piece at which Father Gus asked, ‘And what is that second piece for?’ ‘The first was to taste it; the second was to confirm that it was OK’. Seeing how much the cheese had diminished, he raised an unbelieving eyebrow.

City Man

Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam. To give the impression that I too was a city man, I walked proudly and with confidence toward the door. Suddenly it opened automatically. Frightened, I jumped backward, my bag dangling on my back. I looked around and saw people laughing and nodded to them, apologizing with a smile, ‘Forgive the bush man from Africa’.

Beware of Fr Joeker

The mother of Archbishop Dominic Kodwo Andoh, at the time Archbishop of Accra, had died. I happened to be at the funeral and the preacher gave an excellent homily on death that really made the audience, almost hypnotized, hang on every word he said. After the Mass, in the sacristy while the priests were removing vestments and exchanging comments, the preacher passed right in front of my nose and I remarked, ‘Father, that was indeed a death-stirring homily.’ Someone at the back responded, ‘Beware, he (pointing at me) is a joker.’