The network is aimed at bringing together Catholic par­liamentarians and other Christian lawmakers on regular basis for faith formation, education and fellowship.

The belief of the ICLN is based on the scriptures and the social teachings of the Catholic Church.

The objectives of the net­work, include protection of life, marriage, family, religious liberty, human rights, biotechnology and life sciences, education and Church-State relations, commu­nicate Catholic social values in politics and economics.

Inaugurating the network in Parliament, Accra, yesterday, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Su­mana Kingsford Bagbin, entreat­ed members to be resolute and defend the Catholic faith in their legislative duties.

“We must stand firm against the winds of change that threat­en to erode our principles. We must be vigilant against the voic­es that seek to silence our faith. We must be bold to proclaim our beliefs even when it is unpopular.

“Our work is not of the faint heart. It requires courage, wis­dom, and an unwavering commit­ment to our faith and our values. But it is a task we must undertake for the sake of our nation, our people and our souls,” Mr Bagbin said.

He noted that the network was planting seeds that would grow into mighty trees that would pro­vide shade and shelter for future generation.

President of the Catholic Bish­ops Conference and Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, said the network had become necessary because recent events in the world indicate that people have lost confidence and hope in gov­ernance systems, and, therefore, a need for Catholics to champion positive change in the legislature.

“Humanity thought that de­mocracy was the solution of all the injustices in society, but they have gradually realised that it is not the case.

At the heart of the Catholic social teaching is the idea that God is present in others and that we are our brothers and sisters’ keepers.

“Emphasis is placed in our responsibilities to help the most vulnerable of our neighbours and not to disrespect and trample upon them. We need to reflect on these values to liberate our­selves for the attainment of the peace and development we all seek,” Most Rev. Gyamfi said.

He urged Catholic MPs and the legislature in general to have in their libraries the Compen­dium of the Social Doctrine of the Church together with the scriptures as their tools.

Most Rev. Gyamfi commended the MPs for the passage of the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Act, which scraps the death penalty and the ongoing work on the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2022.

The leadership steering com­mittee of the network led by First Deputy Speaker and MP for Bekwai, Joseph Osei Owusu, has also been sworn into office.

Other members of the Com­mittee are the Second Deputy Speaker and MP, Fomena, Vice Chair; Techiman North MP, Eliz­abeth Ofosu Adjare, Secretary; Dormaa West MP, Vincent Op­pong Asamoah, Organiser and Patricia Appiagyei, MP, Asokwa.

On behalf of the steering committee, Mr Owusu said they would strive to live the values of the church guided by its princi­ples.