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The President of the Catholic Bishops Conference has challenged Christians, particularly the members of the Noble Order of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall, to speak out occasionally on political issues that can undermine the country. "All too often, we know that politically things are not going well in our country, but we fail to speak out. We fear for our skin. We need to have courage to speak when necessary," Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu said at the launch of the 90th Annivesary celebration of the Order in Accra last Saturday.

He rallied members of the Order to take their civic and political duties seriously saying "as citizens of the nation, Marshallans have every right to be involved in the political life of the country."

"You should join political parties, take part in voting, seek key positions in political parties, in the government, and district assemblies. If you refuse to vote, and show indifference to political issues, others will vote and take decisions which will affect you for good or ill," he said.

Most Rev. Osei-Bonsu, who is also the Supreme Spiritual Leader of the Order, descended heavily on the level of corruption in all spheres of the Ghanaian society and charged members of the Order to tackle the canker.

"If there is corruption, it is largely because people, including Marshallans, are not acting with integrity wherever they are. If people were guided in their consciences by integrity and honesty, corruption will drastically reduce, and our world will be a better place than it is today," he said.

While urging members of the Order to champion the cause of justice, he also urged them to be concerned about social issues and try to liberate themselves and others in the society who lived in the bondage of ignorance, superstition and unnecessary fears and traditional customs that oppress people.

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, His Grace Gabriel Charles Palmer-Buckle, who launched the anniversary, urged members of the Order to protect the sanctity of marriage.

The Archbishop urged married Christians to proclaim the good news of marriage saying,"it is time for married couples to take up the gospel of the family and proclaim marriage as a vocation."

He commended the Order for its works over the last 90 years.