L'Effort Camerounais (English Version)

Views sampled by Grace Ongey and Ireneaus Chongwain Chia

Mgr. Samuel Kleda: Archbishop of Douala

What is important is the participation of all the faithful in this important event which marks the parish's 25th anniversary. One can see that Christians are committed in this parish and this can be seen through what they are doing. It is a self-reliant community and one that shares. Parishioners are working with their parish priest as reflected in this event and are coming up and realising many important projects that demand huge amounts of money and they are doing this all by themselves. I am very proud as these Christians are taking charge of their parish and preaching the good news even though they may not know. I thank them sincerely.

Mgr. Dieudonne Bogmis: Bishop of Eseka

If one were to die and come back and see a booming and joyful occasion like this, then you can conclude that it is worth it. My impressions are very good. I say bravo to this parish. Bonamoussadi looked like a whole diocese today if one were to compare it with what obtains elsewhere. I am happy to see that the parish is growing and booming. It is a blessing from God and parishioners should take advantage of it.

Rev. Fr. Eugene Goussikindey- Provincial Superior, Jesuit Community

I am quite happy to be here. I only arrived a few days ago from Abidjan because I wanted to be part of what has been going on as I was part of the planning process. The Jesuit Community is committed to the service of the people and the Church. The distinctive nature of our parishes is combining the usual guidance and sacraments with the social dimension. The building that the parish is constructing says it all. We are not just committed to Christianising, but we also try to carry a deeper faith of the people by responding to their needs. Our spirituality is focused on the people and ultimately on social issues.

Martin Jumbam - Representative Anglophone Community, Our Lady of Annunciation Parish, Bonamoussadi

This event has been a great success. When we started this celebration two weeks ago, it didn't look obvious that it will succeed this way because we were not quite sure what to do. But the Holy Spirit being what He is guided us and we are here today. We had a wonderful Mass to end this event. It has been a great success. If you were here before when we started the English community and you see it today, you are not really going to believe what you are seeing. We started timidly. We were not quite sure where we were going and people said all kinds of foreboding things about us, but today see where we are! We are a great community integrated into the Francophone community and we form one big family, as our parish priest likes to say. The parish priest is even an Anglophone and we are part and parcel of this community and we are doing well.

By Ireneaus Chongwain Chia

The metropolitan Archbishop of Douala, Mgr. Samuel Kleda, has called on the parishioners of Our lady of Annunciation Parish Bonamoussadi- Douala, to build a solid community of faith and to love one another as they gathered in their parish church on Sunday, April 27, 2013, to celebrate the parish's 25th anniversary.

Mgr. Kleda, who was the main celebrant of an anniversary Mass that brought together a cross section of priests in Douala Archdiocese and thousands of Christians, told the faithful that while thanking God for all He has done for their parish in 25 years, the only criterion that can enable people to recognise them as disciples of Christ is love, self sacrifice, respect and consideration for one another.

He told them to be messengers of love in line with Jesus' New Commandment, "Love one another, just as I have loved you," and implored them to imitate the first Christian community, especially Paul and Barnabas, by building a solid community of faith and walking together in happy and difficult moments. He beseeched them to forge a deeper encounter with Christ for, as he asked, "How can you present Christ to others today, if you refuse Jesus to personally touch your lives."

The Archbishop regretted that many, who call themselves Christians today, refuse to accept the exigencies of Jesus' teachings instead choosing that which is easy. He told them that after 25 years they should respond to Jesus' call, sow seeds of love wherever they are and be true witnesses of Christ like Paul and Barnabas so that they may be considered as Disciples of Christ in their communities through their daily testimonies to Jesus' teachings.

Citing the early Christians who looked after one another so that none was in need, he asked, "What have you done to those in need in your parish?" He therefore asked them to look after each other and sow seeds of love as a Christian community is built essentially on the love of Christ.

Situating Judas' betrayal of Christ in today's context, the Archbishop said the only cure against betrayal and hatred is love and not violence. He prayed for the faithful and for all priests still living and those who have died, who have served in Our Lady of Annunciation Parish.

During the Mass, the Archbishop received ten adult Christians into the Catholic fold who publicly professed their faith and were confirmed. Families that have been living in the parish in the past 25 years and Catechists who have served in the parish for at least ten years were also blessed.

The Parish Council offered a gift to the present Parish priest, Fr. Ignatius Musi, for his pastoral engagement, while a homage was paid to the late and former Archbishop of Douala, Mgr. Simon Tonye for creating Bonamoussadi Parish, and to Douala Emeritus Archbishop Christian Cardinal Tumi for handing the parish to the Jesuit Community.

Candles were lighted and the parish magazine was also launched during the Mass and Christians contributed generously to help the parish complete ongoing projects and help the underprivileged, especially taking young girls off the street.

The over four-hour bilingual Mass was also a showcase of the parish multicultural dimension as seen during the lectionary procession which the parish children enthusiastically performed.

Before the Mass ended, one of the Mass' concelebrant and the Provincial Jesuit Superior, Fr. Eugene Goussikindey thanked the Archbishop for permitting the Jesuit Community to contribute to the work of evangelisation in Douala Archdiocese and pleaded for greater collaboration as the successful anniversary celebration was only accomplished through collaboration. Homage was also paid to another concelebrant and Bishop of Eseka, Mgr. Dieudonne Bogmis, who once served as an assistant parish priest in Bonamoussadi for the support he once gave to the budding Anglophone community that has become an integral part of that parish today.

The 25th anniversary celebration ended with a family meal in the parish incomplete hall where children also displayed their doctrinal prowess to the guests. Two weeks of religious and socio-economic activities in the form of spiritual talks, choral music competition, baptism, confirmation, marriages, seminars and a trade fair, were organised, reflecting the event's dimension and significance. Mgr. Simon Tonye created Our Lady of Annunciation Parish, Bonamoussadi in August 1987.

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has appointed the Very Rev. Father Andrew Fuanya Nkea, Priest of the Diocese of Buea, as the Coadjutor Bishop for the Diocese of Mamfe. This appointment was made public on Wednesday, July 10, 2013, at 12 noon local time at the Vatican City in Rome. Rev. Fr. Andrew is presently Registrar of the Catholic University of Cameroon, Bamenda (CATUC).

The Very Rev. Father Andrew Fuanya Nkea, the Coadjutor Bishop Elect of the Diocese of Mamfe was born on August 29, 1965 in Widikum, Widikum Subdivision in the Archdiocese of Bamenda. His father, Vincent Ivo Nkea, and mother, Caroline NanyiLekunze, are from Fontem in Lebialem Division in the Diocese of Mamfe.

His father, a polygamist, now of late, was a Catholic and his mother, the first of two wives, who is still alive, is a Presbyterian. He has one brother, three sisters, and three step brothers and three step sisters. He was baptised on August 31, 1974 in St. Theresa’s Cathedral Parish, Kumbo by Father John Kolkman, received the First Holy Communion on September 1, 1974 and Confirmation on June 10, 1981 from the hands of the Rt. Rev. Pius Suh Awa, Bishop (now Emeritus) of Buea. He did his primary school education in St. Theresa’s School, Kumbo (1970-1975) and in Government Primary School Down Beach, Victoria (1975-1977). His Secondary School education was in Christ the King College, Tiko (1977-1981) and High School in Bishop Rogan College Junior Seminary, Soppo-Buea (1981-1983).

After teaching in Christ the King’s College, Tiko (1984-1985) he was then admitted to St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Bambui, Bamenda, where he did his Priestly Formation (1985-1992), obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy (B.Phil.) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology (B.D.). He was ordained Priest on April 22, 1992 by His Lordship, Bishop Pius Suh Awa for the Diocese of Buea.

In 1999 he was sent to Rome for further studies in the Pontifical Urban University where he specialised in Canon Law, from 1999-2003, obtaining a Licentiate and a Doctorate in Canon Law and a Post Graduate Diploma in Ecclesiastical Jurisprudence.

He has served the Church in several capacities: pastoral, administrative and academic. He was Assistant Parish Priest in St. John Bosco Parish, Mbonge (1992-1994), Parish Priest of St. Luke’s Parish, Nyandong (1994-1995), Diocesan Chancellor and Bishop’s Secretary (1995-1999 and 2003-2007), Member of the Diocesan College of Consultors and Presbyteral Council (2003-2007), Lecturer of Canon Law at the John Paul II Institute of Theology, Buea (2007-2010), Professor of Canon Law and Dean of the Department of Theology at St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Bambui (2008-2010), Defender of the Bond at the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of First Instance of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda (2007-2011) and since 2010 he is the Judicial Vicar of the Tribunal of First Instance of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda.

In 2007 he was appointed a Member of the Episcopal Commission for the Doctrine of the Faith of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon and since 2008 he has been a member of the Formation Team of St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Bambui. Since 2009 he has been Secretary General of the Bamenda Provincial Episcopal Conference (BAPEC). In 2010 he was appointed the First Registrar of the Catholic University of Cameroon, Bamenda (CATUC),a post which he still holds till today. In 2011 he was elected the first President of the Association of Canon Law in Cameroon.

The Very Reverend Father Andrew Nkea has published a number of books and articles, among which are: The Philosophical Analysis of theNweh Concept of Personal Names (1988), The Nweh Funeral Traditions (1992), UtCognoscantTe:The Life of Bishop Pius S. Awa on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of His Episcopal Ordination (1996), The Role of Private Associations in the Church (2001), Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church (2007), etc.

The Coadjutor Bishop Elect of Mamfe, Mgr. Andrew Nkea speaks quite a good number of languages: English, French, Italian, Pidgin English, Lamnso and Nweh, his native tongue. His hobbies include: reading and writing, research on African Traditional Religions and codifying of Customary Laws, traveling, music and sports.

The appointment of Mgr. Andrew Fuanya NKEA as the Coadjutor Bishop of Mamfe during this Year of Faith is a wonderful gift of the Eternal High Priest and Good Shepherd to the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda in particular and to the Church in Cameroon in general. I would like, on behalf of the Clergy, Religious and Christ’s Lay Faithful of the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province,to heartily congratulate Mgr. Andrew Nkea, Bishop Francis TekeLysinge and the entire Christian population of the Diocese of Mamfe on this propitious occasion. We want to assure them of our prayers and solidarity through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of Evangelization.

+Cornelius Fontem ESUA

Archbishop of Bamenda and President of

The Bamenda Provincial Episcopal Conference.

The Archbishop of Yaoundé, Mgr. Victor Tonyé Bakot, has renounced his office as the Archbishop of Yaoundé Metropolitan See. A communiqué from the Apostolic Nuncio, which was read over State-owned CRTV this July 29, states that Pope Francis has accepted Mgr. Victor Tonyé Bakot’s renunciation. The communiqué further indicates that the Bishop of Ebolowa, Mgr. Jean Mbarga, has been appointed as the Apostolic Administration of Yaoundé Archdiocese. We shall be coming back to this developing story in greater detail.

Mgr. Jean Mbarga, Apostolic Administrator of Yaoundé Archdiocese

Information gathered from the Vatican official website Zenit in French confirms that Mgr. Victor Tonyé Bakot has renounced his pastoral responsibilities as Archbisop of Yaoundé and confirms the appointment of the Bishop of Ebolowa, Mgr. Jean Mbarga, as the apostolic administrator of Yaoundé Archdiocese.

The Holy See does not specify the reason behind Mgr. Victor Tonyé Bakot’s renunciation and simply cites Canon 402 & 2, which states that “A diocesan Bishop who, because of illness or some other grave reason, has become unsuited for the fulfilment of his office, is earnestly requested to offer his resignation from office.”

Mgr. Victor Bakot is only 66 years and has been Archbishop of Yaoundé since 2003.

+Francis T. Lysinge

Bishop of Mamfe

MD/CM/5-15/2013/05

July 14^th 2013

All Rev. Fathers

All Religious Men & Women

All Christ’s Faithful

Diocese of Mamfe

Rev. and Dear Fathers,

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I write to bring across to the entire diocese, news of great joy! Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has appointed the Most Rev. Andrew Nkea Fuanya, Coadjutor Bishop of Mamfe, with the right to succession. When I got this information from the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon, Most Rev. Piero Pioppo, what came to my mind immediately were the words of St. Augustine of Hippo in Sermon 46, 29-30, On the Shepherds. Augustine says among other things, “that good shepherds will never be lacking.

Away with the notion that good shepherds are lacking at present; let us not entertain the idea; may the Lord’s mercy never fail to produce and appoint them. Surely if there are good sheep, there are good shepherds too, for good shepherds are made from good sheep.” This news about the appointment of a Coadjutor Bishop for Mamfe was announced on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 in our Cathedral Church in Mamfe, at the same time that Vatican Radio was announcing it, to the great jubilation of the priests, religious and Christ’s faithful who had gathered in the Cathedral Church, in a spirit of prayer and expectation. I can only describe this appointment in the words of our Synodal document, as something beautiful for God!

It is with immense gratitude to God and to the Holy Father, Pope Francis, that I write this letter to all our priests, religious men and women and Christ’s faithful in our diocese of Mamfe. Many people have been asking me what this means for our local church? I can express the meaning in the same words I used when this whole process began. After prayer and with the good of the church that is in Mamfe in mind, on December 14, 2011, I wrote a letter to His Eminence, Fernando Cardinal Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples (Propaganda Fide), in which I said, among other things, that it was “my wish that (Mamfe) Diocese be assigned a Coadjutor who will govern with me for a while to ensure that there is a smooth transition when I turn the canonical age of retirement. From the very beginning of my Episcopal ministry, I have always prayed for a smooth transition so that the work of evangelisation in our young diocese of Mamfe continues without any interruption.”

In an audience with Cardinal Filoni on Wednesday, November 28, 2012, I renewed my request and discussed with His Eminence the necessity for continuity in the work which has begun in our young diocese, with our diocesan Synod being a focal point. In many other correspondences with the relevant intermediary office between the Holy See and our Church in Cameroon, I reiterated and emphasised the necessity for a Coadjutor Bishop because I did not want to leave things to a vague future after I retire. How shall we know his name? How shall we discern the man? As in any process of discernment, as St. Ignatius of Loyala taught us, it was sometimes rocky and cloudy. Nevertheless, the Lord never abandoned us as we sought for the one whom the Lord had chosen before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4), to succeed me in the See of Mamfe.

In a wider ecclesial context, to discern the movements of the Holy Spirit is no easy task, as we experience in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. There were times we felt the Lord had abandoned us with our own meagre resources. But again and again, the Lord showed us that he himself will lead and provide for us, a pastor after his own heart. Again and again he reassured and showed that he will not leave Mamfe. Again and again the Lord showed that he was there, and will be there till the very end of the whole process. Again and again the Lord showed that the work of evangelisation in our diocese, which in a certain sense was just beginning after a hundred years, will continue to grow. The Lord has been there, and will always be there. This is the great lesson that I have learned throughout this process, and the Lord showed me a very personal way that he himself will make Mamfe a place truly beautiful for him. I thank the Lord!

With great joy, and with firm faith in the Lord, let us welcome our new Shepherd, the Most Rev. Andrew Nkea, Coadjutor Bishop-elect of Mamfe. He is my spiritual son, having been his spiritual director in the Major Seminary in Bambui. As an efficient administrator and canon lawyer, he will definitely lead our diocese along the beautiful path of God. It is a happy coincidence that the then Bishop of Buea, Most Rev. Pius Awa, charged the Bishop-Elect, then his Secretary and Chancellor of the Diocese of Buea, to prepare for my Episcopal ordination in Mamfe on April 21, 1999. He read the bull of my appointment by the Holy Father at that mass. How mysterious are the ways of God! Who could tell that fourteen years later, the one reading the bull will take over from me? How mysterious are the ways of God! How unfathomable his ways!

It is with this spirit of joy and gratitude to God and the Holy Father, Pope Francis, that I invite all the priests, religious men and women and Christ’s faithful of Mamfe to welcome with great joy and collaboration, our new bishop, Most Rev. Andrew Nkea. The Lord has shown us the one he had chosen for Mamfe. We now know his name. As the Vicar General of our diocese said in the Cathedral Church on the day the announcement was made, “the stove of the Sistine Chapel of Mamfe has emitted white smoke.” Let us thank the Lord!

Dear brothers and sisters, many of you have been asking me: what will happen to you now? Some have called asking if by this announcement I have been transferred to another diocese? My explanation is simple: with the appointment of our Coadjutor Bishop, what this means is that after fourteen years as Bishop of Mamfe, and forty-seven years as a priest, by the grace of God, the Holy Father rightfully thinks that I deserve some rest from active pastoral ministry. I will therefore, be at the service of my bishop, the Most Rev. Andrew Nkea, once I hand over the baton to him upon reaching the canonical age for the retirement of bishops, on December 28, 2013.

Let us go forward with joy, bearing witness to Christ, so that our diocese will be a place of encounter with the living God, who has sent us his Son. All is grace, from the beginning till now, and his grace is always enough, for his power is shown in our limitations. Grace before, grace now, and grace after! Amen!

+Francis T. Lysinge

Bishop of Mamfe

By Jude Abanseka

Bamenda Archbishop His Grace Cornelius Fontem Esua has called on the faithful to support schemes that give proper and adequate care for “those who have given their lives totally to the Church’s service”.

Archbishop Esua made the appeal in the Mankon Cathedral on Thursday, August 29, 2013, while preaching at the funeral Mass of Rev. Mgr. James Mawo Nsokika. He noted that the number of diocesan priests approaching retirement is fast increasing and there is a dire need to do something about it as soon as possible.

He added that there have been a lot of reflections on this leading to the creation of the social security scheme for elderly priests known as Opus Securitatis. The Archbishop also appealed to the laity to suggest and promote other initiatives like Our Lady of Good Hope Foundation, OLAGOH, which some concerned lay Christians started a few years ago to care for and give material support to old and sick diocesan clergy.

Archbishop Esua said for those who believe in Christ, death is not the end, but the gateway to a new and better life. He added that Jesus says He is the life and the Resurrection and he who believe in Him will never die and even if he dies, will live. “These are the consoling convictions which should bring hope and joy in this Year of Faith and particularly at this moment of human sorrow - - -”. He said Mgr. James Nsokika lived for the Lord according to St. Paul who says, “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord”.

He described Mgr. James Nsokika as a man of faith, a zealous and dedicated priest who willingly accepted and carried out the appointments and responsibilities which the bishop entrusted to him no matter how challenging they were. “Even when it was evident that he could no longer adequately carry out his responsibilities because of his poor health and of his advancing age, he insisted to do so”.

“The life and death of each of us has its influence on others. Mgr. James Nsokika’s life as priest and as a Christian has influenced many people. Mgr. James was a very simple, friendly and sociable person, always with a broad smile,” Archbishop Esua said,

As he was notably very generous, Mgr. Nsokika states in his will that the little possession he leaves behind should be distributed to almost everybody he knew. “Mgr. James Nsokika was so involved in pastoral work that he had no time for himself. It seems that the pastoral work and the care of the souls were the source of his energy because as soon as he was no longer parish priest, he saw no reason for living and his health deteriorated very fast,” Archbishop Esua said.

“We are confident that having served the Lord and his Church so faithfully, Mgr. James Mawo Nsokika is now with the Lord. As a priest he had given up his life completely for the service of God and his people. He has died for the Lord fortified with the last Rites. He now belongs completely to the Lord,” the Archbishop concluded.

Biography:

Mgr. James Nsokika was born on September 25, 1934 in Kumbo. He did his primary education in Sacred Heart School Shisong and Holy Family School Tabenken from 1946 to 1953. Desiring to become a priest he was admitted to the then Holy Family Minor Seminary which was part of St. Joseph’s College Sasse-Buea in 1954 and graduated with the Cambridge Certificate in 1959. In 1960 he proceeded to the Major Seminary, Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, Nigeria for studies in Philosophy and Theology.

The then Bishop of Buea, His Lordship, Jules Peeters ordained him and three other candidates - His Eminence Christian Cardinal Tumi, His Lordship Francis Teke Lysinge and late Rev. Fr. Peter Chu, on April 17, 1966, in Regina Pacis Cathedral, Soppo for Buea Diocese.

He faithfully and dedicatedly served the Church in the then Buea Diocese and Bamenda Archdiocese for 47 years. He served in St. Pius’s Parish Akum as curate (1966-1968), St. Anthony’s Parish Njinikom as curate (1968-1970), St. Theresa’s Parish Mbetta as curate (1970-1971), St. Joseph’s Parish Bafut as curate, then as Parish Priest (1971-72, 1972-73), St. Martin de Porres Wum as curate (1972), Meluf Parish as Parish Priest (1978), St. Francis Xavier’s Parish Bali as Parish Priest (1978 -1979, 1994- 2006), St. Theresa’s Parish Azire as curate (1981 – 86). St. Mathias Parish Widikum as Parish Priest (1986-1994) and Christ the King’s Parish Ntabeng (2006-2010). From August 2010 he was in residence in St. Joseph’s Cathedral Parish Mankon until his death.

In September 1973 he was sent for further studies in Rome where he specialised in Sacred Liturgy at the Pontifical Institute Sant’Anselmo (1973 – 78), obtaining Licentiate and Doctorate in Sacred Theology. He was later appointed to teach Sacred Liturgy and related disciplines in St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Bambui from 1979 – 1981). He was once the Archdiocesan Chaplain of the Catechists and Archdiocesan Chaplain of the Catholic Men Association (CMA). He notably had great concern for the social and spiritual welfare of the catechists. It was during his time as chaplain that the CMA was organised as a national catholic association.

On the occasion of the celebration of the Ruby Jubilee of the erection of Bamenda Diocese in 2010, Pope Benedict XVI raised him and four other first generation diocesan priests to the Ecclesiastical rank of “Chaplain of His Holiness” with the title of “Monsignor”.

Mgr. James Mawo Nsokika was called home to his reward on the morning of August 11, 2013, in the Catholic General Hospital Shisong after a protracted illness at the end of a fruitful priestly ministry.

His Eminence Christian Cardinal Tumi was the main celebrant at the funeral Mass and except for Bishop Bushu of Buea, all the Bishops of the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province were concelebrants with more than a hundred priests from all over Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province.

By Singfred Sinior M’sene, BSM

The ancient city of Mamfe came to a standstill on 23 August as kings and commoners trooped from the hills and valleys of Fontem and Mbetta, the muddy and deep gullies of Eyomujock, Tinto, Nguti , from across the bridgeless rivers of Akwaya and the hinterlands of Manyu, Kupe-Muanenguba, Lebialem and from metropolises in Cameroon and beyond to witness the consecration of the first Bangwa man as bishop, Mgr. Andrew Nkea, who is also the first Cameroonian to be appointed bishop by Pope Francis.

The Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, His Grace Piero Pioppo, was the main consecrator and Bishops Francis Lysinge of Mamfe and Immanuel Bushu of Buea were the co-consecrators.

In his homily, the Apostolic Nuncio commended Bishop Francis Lysinge, who he described as a committed and faithful servant of God, for the work done in Mamfe Diocese this far. “We thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts, Bishop Francis Lysinge, for your faithful commitment,” he said as the crowd responded with thunderous applause.

To Bishop Andrew, the Italian Nuncio, who speaks English and French fluently though with a musical and heavy Italian accent, described the would-be Bishop of Mamfe as young, energetic, experienced and a pastoral zealous man carefully chosen after meditation and prayer.

He urged him to “destroy sin, breakdown the walls of misunderstanding, hostility, particularism, tribalism and …help the faithful to authentically find Our Lord and not to pretend to have found Him when unfortunately they are following an inauthentic image… perhaps resulting from their own ideas and preferences.”

He exhorted Bishop Nkea to verify carefully the authenticity of charisms, ministries, vocations and operations in the Church and called on the faithful of Mamfe not to ignore their Bishops.

On the Mamfe lay faithful’s behalf, George Fru, thanked God and the Church for giving them not only a young, dynamic , educated and experienced Bishop to lead Mamfe Diocese to the next level, but also someone from Mamfe Diocese who masters the terrain.

The Laity Council chairperson thanked Bishop Lysinge for his achievement and described him as a great, humble and trail- blazer Bishop who blazed the trail by raising Mamfe Diocese from nothing to “something Beautiful for God.”

Mr. Fru said Bishop Lysinge has raised Mamfe Diocese from six parishes, seven priests and a handful of not very committed Christians to 31 parishes, 43 priests, 50 seminarians, various religious congregations, built an imposing cathedral, a befitting bishop’s house, a minor seminary, a pastoral and spiritual centre, two hospitals, five health centres, 23 primary schools, six secondary schools, and a large, dynamic and committed lay faithful, just to name these few.

Responding the Co-adjutor Bishop in his usual eloquence, heaped a litany of praises and gratitude on all. To the Emeritus Archbishop of Douala, Christian Cardinal Tumi, who preached his retreat before his Episcopal ordination, the Rt. Rev. Nkea expressed filial gratitude and described his experience with the Cardinal as a real apprenticeship on how to be a Bishop. “It was a privilege to have benefitted from the profound wisdom, sound knowledge, high spirituality, solid faith and long experience of this pillar of faith in Cameroon,” he said. “His lessons were practical, his humour … and his humility exceptional.”

To Bishop John Ayah from the Diocese of Ogorja, Nigeria he said his presence was “eloquent testimony of the universality of the Catholic Church, and the effective and affective collegiality among Catholic Bishops in the whole world.”

He poured praises on the Emeritus Bishop of Buea, Pius Suh Awa, who he said nurtured his faith and ministry by confirming and ordaining him as priest. Bishop Nkea has worked with Bishop Awa for 21 years. Bishop Awa worked hard to ensure the creation of Mamfe Diocese. He told the octogenarian sick Bishop that God has kept him to see the historic event.

Bishop Nkea then thanked his natural family and announced to the congregation’s surprise that his family has given him and the faithful of Mamfe FCFA 10 million to put benches in the new and recently dedicated Mamfe cathedral.

The would –be Bishop of Mamfe described his history and relationship with Bishop Lysinge as a divine arrangement, recalling that they both went to Government Primary School Down Beach, Victoria- Limbe though he came almost 30 years after Bishop Lysinge.

He said Bishop Lysinge was his Spiritual Director in St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Bambui during his priestly formation. Bishop Nkea read the Papal Bull during the Episcopal ordination of Bishop Lysinge in 1999. When he was sent to teach in the major seminary he was given the same room in which Bishop Lysinge stayed and slept on the same bed Bishop on which Bishop Lysinge slept and “now it has happened again,” he exclaimed.

Bishop Nkea said he has worked with the Bishop of Buea, Immanuel Bushu from whom he was taken the spiritual strength he needs to embrace his new office.The new Bishop’s mother, Caroline Nanyi Nkea, who Bishop Nkea described as a miracle of his Episcopal election as she was a protestant till his election as Bishop, wept several times same as her daughter, Anna Ngendung, during the Mass. She said she wept because God had not kept her husband alive to see that great day.

Mrs. Ngendung explained that when she watched the crowd that had gathered only for her brother, she felt as if her brother was dead and she could not control her emotions. “When he got up after that I was happy and could only express my joy with tears,” she explained.

The town’s grand stand, where the ceremony took place, was filled to near breaking point and people struggled to have a glimpse of the event. The presence of the Emeritus Archbishop of Douala, Christian Cardinal Tumi, 22 Bishops from Cameroon and the Bishop of Oguja, Nigeria, Rt. Rev. John Ayah, civil, religious and traditional authorities amid a teaming crowd of priests and religious, graced the occasion. Other Dignitaries included the Governor of the North West Region,Adolphe Lele Lafrique, the District Officer of Nguti, the Senior Divisional Officer for Manyu and the Mayor of Mamfe.

By Fr. Gerald Nyuykongmo Jumbam

Many Africans believe that witchcraft is standing in the way of progress in Africa. But what is witchcraft? Over the years many scholars have advanced a number of definitions, but in our present context, witchcraft will simply be defined as the power of negative thinking.

It is a limiting belief that what other people and races can do, others cannot do. In this way, despair, frustration and wickedness gradually crystallise into an evil way of life which many refer to as witchcraft.

Witchcraft is not peculiar to Africa because it is clearly man’s capacity to think, speak and do evil. There is a degree of evil in everyone and singling out some people as witches and wizards therefore seems wrong.

Witchcraft takes its origin from human ignorance. Leading scholars on the African continent have pointed out this point. In Anthills of the Savannah Chinua Achebe wonders what a genuine intellectual can do to salvage a continent with so much ignorance.

The 1986 Nobel Laureate for Literature, Wole Soyinka, in The Open Sore of a Continent illustrates abundantly how ignorance, even at the highest leadership level, can lead to mass decimation of entire peoples – a good example of the origin of the great pogrom that came in the wake of Biafran secession from Nigeria.

In the blurb to his epic work,The Genuine Intellectual, Prof. Bernard Fonlon of Cameroon writes: “What Africa needs to fight imperialism and neocolonialism is capital and knowledge. As regards the former, she has a wealth of natural resources which she can convert. But concerning the latter, the many events now taking place on the continent betray a penury of genuine intellectuals.”

The problem of witchcraft in Africa is therefore tied to the problem of ignorance due to the alarming poverty of thought. Many people have sought to prove that witchcraft has to do with negative mystical occurrences. But I think it manifests itself not so much by strange mysterious occurrences as by a gross ignorance of the laws of nature; laws whose mastery has given leadership to the other races.

As an impressionable continental observer, I think witchcraft seems to be a secret conspiracy of mystery healers or “Ngambe” men, soothsayers and fortune tellers to create fear, confusion and insecurity in people’ hearts and minds to keep them in ignorance and easily exploit them. I am against exploitation as it has ruined the spiritual and material life of a people who scratch a scanty living from a poor soil.

Recently, I heard a story about a Christian university student who lived in fear of witchcraft. The young man related two incidents he suspected were responsible for his nightmares. He once took a motorcycle (benskin) and because he did not have change, the motorcyclist left him, saying “you will see”.

Another time he bought some defective batteries. The Muslim store owner accepted the return, but told him “you will see”. The young man was worried that these people would use witchcraft to attack him. Although he was a theology student, he lived under a threatening cloud of evil forces. Many like this young man are vulnerable to witchcraft. Their concern seems legitimate because of widespread stories about what witches have done.

Like this young man many people in Africa are vulnerable to witchcraft, but I believe that an effective study of mental programming such as the one Napoleon Hill proposes in Think and Grow Rich and Vincent Norman Peale’s The Power Of Positive Thinking can do a lot to overcome many people’s fears in Africa.

Africa seems to be home to fears that have crippled the reasoning of its inhabitants. How does one heal a society suffering from its own self-inflicted wounds of witchcraft and sorcery? What is at the root of the endless fears and worries that seem to toss the African mind about? When something tragic happens, many Africans do not ask “what caused this, but instead, “Who caused this?” Disease, pain, suffering and death are therefore seen as supernatural events and witches as culprits.

But why all this trust in “Ngambe” men (mystery healers), and fortune tellers? In Africa many Christians do not believe that God can solve all their problems, let alone their witchcraft problems. But as St. Augustine says, “I believe in order to understand, and understand, the better to believe.” Time and again the Bible mentions, “Do not fear; for I am God!”

In a Pastoral Letter on Superstition in 1980, Bishop Paul Verdzekov warned about syncretism that is undermining the Gospel in Cameroon. At that time many dismissed his concerns, but today his predictions have come true.The trouble with witchcraft is that it offers its adherents the opportunity to oscillate between African tradition and Christianity. It equally allows people to relinquish their responsibility for wrongdoing, sins and inadequacies by putting the blame on others - often the poor who then become the enemies of society.

Unlike rain or wind, witchcraft does not exist. What really exist and is destroying the great African continent are the many baseless beliefs about witchcraft that Africans have nursed and continue to nurture. Witchcraft is therefore a man-made and not a natural phenomenon because man has the power to control the direction in which his psychic or mental energy is moving.

The tendency in Africa of always trying to give supernatural explanations to natural events and consequently to wait for supernatural solutions to natural problems is a tendency which modern African theologians, intellectuals and scientists must vigorously combat.

If ecumenism and religious dialogue are anything to go by in Africa; and it should be, the belief in witchcraft must be Africa’s number one problem for discussion among priests, pastors and Muslim spiritual leaders.

The problem is old and has only become worse. But “who can go to them to proclaim that Christ has triumphed over death and all those occult powers?” Pope Benedict XVI thundered to all Africans on his visit to Angola. If the church is to play this role effectively, she must fashion out a new priest, a new religious, and a new laity, with the duty of turning people away from beliefs that have held them in ignorance, fear and bondage for so long.

By Mirabel A. Tandafor, MD, USA

It was a hot and sticky Tuesday morning. The train ride from Metro Centre stop in Washington DC to the Arlington Cemetery, Virginia never seemed to end. And as we got closer, the train did not seem to be emptying up any further. So, most people on board were heading for the Pentagon – the Headquarters of America’s Department of Defense. So was I!

Once out of the train, a senseless gape, a rapid rush of anxiety and the fact that we were running late for the daily Catholic Mass, almost earned me a fall on the escalators. Yes, it was 11:15am, and we had just 15 minutes left! Fifteen minutes to cross three no-nonsense security posts and a good quota of the 3,700,000sq. ft. office space that makes up this 6,500,000sq. ft. pentagon-shaped compound, on foot. I was relieved when my tour guide came – and helped shorten my stay at each stop as well as take me to the chapel uninterrupted.

Once in the Memorial Chapel that was created at the point of impact of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the Pentagon, a placid atmosphere awaited us. Mass had started and no sanctuary could be holier. It was obvious the faithful of the Pentagon keep to Mass schedules and time; know the rites, the Sacraments, responses and at the same time, radiate of a perfect blend of piety and job-consciousness.

Late entrants remained standing during the 30-minute Mass that comprised of the day’s gospel, a homily and Holy Communion. The gospel promulgated the frequent reception of Holy Communion; as well as making it the centre of Christian life. One of our own, Fr. Emmanuel Fale of Kumbo Diocese concelebrated with two other priests; who thereafter listened to confession for the faithful.

Meantime, in my guided tour, I gathered, among many other things, that a greater part of the over 28,000 Americans who work daily at the Pentagon (including military and civilian employees) have a faith, of some kind; and are free to express it in whichever way they choose. However, service members must not intrusively attempt to convert others because aggressive proselytising could draw punishment.

David Gibson’s May 2, 2013 report in Religious News Service, debunks allegations of a crackdown on Christians for expressing their faith. Gibson quotes a U.S Department of Defense spokesperson – Lt. Cmdr. Nate Christensen on this issue: “The US Department of Defense has never and will never single out a particular religious group for persecution or prosecution. The Department makes reasonable accommodation for all religions and celebrates the religious diversity of our service members.”

More than 13,000 service members identify themselves as atheists or agnostics, according to a Pentagon Survey this year; reports Zucchino, David of the Los Angeles Times.

While at the Pentagon, I also learnt for the first time that there is also a “religion” called Humanism. However, it is not listed as one of the 81 religions represented by the military’s 2,884 chaplains.

Zucchino’s report of a certain aspiring Humanism chaplain – Jason Heap, expounds the fact that the Pentagon is doing all it can to not limit its chaplaincy only to those who profess a God belief. Heap, who filed for the position last month, wants to be a US Navy Chaplain, but is a humanist who does not believe in God and the US Military, has never sanctioned a humanist chaplain, before.

Heap’s application comes when Republicans in Congress are trying to limit military Chaplains to those who believe in a God, states Zucchino. Last month, the House of Representatives approved a measure by Rep. John Fleming (R-La) to prevent the Pentagon from accepting atheists chaplain. Conservative Christian groups have backed the amendment, arguing that humanism and atheism are not religions because they do not believe in God. The amendment, part of a Defense Department appropriations bill, has moved to the Senate for a vote.

…still a place for all faiths

Today, the Chapel and the Memorial at Ground Zero give the workforce a place where all faiths can worship and pray. Designed and constructed to accommodate all faiths represented in the Pentagon, it was dedicated exactly a year after the attacks. Consistently used by many people serving at the Pentagon, the chapel helps meet the spiritual needs of all major faiths, including Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

The chapel is open 24 hours daily; provides seating for 91 people and supports 12 worship services each week. Catholic Masses and Confessions are scheduled daily from Monday to Friday. Muslim prayers and services are also said daily. Anglicans, Protestants, Episcopalians, Later Day Saints, Hindus and Jewish all take turns to meet once a week for either service, prayer sessions or Bible studies .

Close by the chapel is the Pentagon’s chaplain office that provides pastoral care and counselling for that community staffed by military chaplains and numerous volunteers, the office also offers a number of major programmes for the faith development of the Pentagon workforce, and supports many ceremonies within the house.

Zucchino’s findings places the number of service members with no religious preference at 276,000; Christians as a whole at 338,000 and Roman Catholics, in particular, at 263,000 people.

Mixed Blessings of the September 11, 2001 Attacks to Pentagon faithful

Back on September 11, 2001, when a team of five Al Qaeda affiliated hijackers took control of American Airlines Flight 77, from Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, deliberately crashing Boeing 757 into the Western side of the Pentagon; little did the attackers know that their act would give birth to a religious fortitude at the Pentagon.

Contractors already involved in a renovation process of the section that was hit, were doubly assigned to rebuild the damaged sections. It was in the process of the rebuilding that a small indoor memorial chapel was created at the point of impact. Erstwhile, a meditation and prayer room dedicated on December 14, 1970 by the then Defense Secretary, Melvin Laird, had existed at the Pentagon, but did not suffice.

The History of the Pentagon Memorial Chapel

The Pentagon Memorial Chapel was the vision of the three most senior government civilians and the Chiefs of Chaplains. After the attack on September 11, 2001, these leaders realised that the workforce needed a symbol for their recovery. The point of impact where the American Airlines Flight 77 hit the Pentagon had become a place where the faithful came to leave flowers and mourn. That space was never returned to office space. Rather, Pentagon leaders decided to build the chapel and use the transforming power of faith to commemorate the events of that tragic day.

On the occasion of the legislative and municipal elections of September 30, 2013, the Archbishops and Bishops of Cameroon have written a pastoral letter to Cameroonians. They have made recommendations to ensure that the September 30 twin elections take place peacefully. For our bishops, this pastoral letter seeks to remind each and everyone, voters and candidates, that politics must ensure the common good, and that the consolidation of democracy depends on the effective contribution of each and everyone.

To all priests, religious men and women,
To all Catholic Faithful,
And people of goodwill,

Dear brothers and sisters,

1- We implore God’s grace and peace for each Cameroonian, through His Son Jesus Christ, for He Himself is our peace (Eph 2:14), so that we may pursue “the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another” (Rom 14:19), and that we may walk with dignity towards the construction of a peacefully, just and loving Cameroon.

2- "The Church values the democratic system inasmuch as it ensures the participation of citizens in making political choices, guarantees to the governed the possibility both of electing and holding accountable those who govern them, and of replacing them through peaceful means when appropriate. (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 406).

3- We, the bishops of Cameroon, give thanks to God, who, in spite of the risk of social explosion which often increases with/during elections, continues to protect our country from the escalation of violence. We salute the efforts of all men and women of goodwill, without distinction to their political leanings, who are working relentlessly for a more just, better governed and peaceful Cameroon.

4- On account of the mission vested on us and our duty to enlighten the consciences of the catholic Faithful and people of goodwill, we are proposing avenues of reflections on the civic duty to vote, on account of the implications and the stakes of such an act in today’s society and its future. It is our manner of participating in the governance and running of our nation. Choosing our representatives and those who govern us is a fundamental civic and democratic right. If our points of view and personal opinions are not taken into consideration, election results will not be a reflection of the will and feelings of all. This pastoral letter, therefore, seeks to remind each and everyone, voters and candidates, that politics must be at the service of the common good, and that the consolidation of democracy depends on the effective participation of each of us.

5- The September 30 twin elections will choose those who will govern our local decentralised collectivities, and those who will represent us in Parliament - local representatives of proximity, whose duty will have a direct impact or consequence on our daily lives, with regard mainly to the growth of our towns and villages as well as the voting of just laws that take into account the legitimate aspirations of citizens and favour the development of our country. More than in other elections, the running of our divisions and councils will rest on people we know, whose managerial antecedents of the public good and their relationship with the citizenry we master. Our choice therefore is of capital importance.

6- During this upcoming election, it is not political parties that we must first consider, but the candidates who are our brothers and sisters. Within this context, the citizen’s interest is to vote for the candidate who cherishes the development of the area the candidate is running for. You know them better than anyone else; and you know who is capable of upholding your aspirations. The candidates you will choose must be men and women who have a concern for the common good, selfless service, and who have shown proof of the respect of the common good, fundamental human rights, justice and peace. Concretely, they must be people engaged in putting in place that which contributes to the better functioning of the human community as a whole (cf. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 409).

7- As Archbishops and Bishops, pastors and witnesses to our people’s living conditions, it is important that we draw your attention to some of the fundamental pressing problems that should guide the conscience of candidates and voters.

8- Many of our brothers and sisters do not have potable water. If they could guarantee the access of each Cameroonian to this vital commodity, our country would have taken a giant stride towards true emergence. Do not forget that thanks to potable water, a lot of diseases are avoided, mortality also diminishes, and family finances breathe better. The adage that “water is life” is not wrong. The elected in municipal and legislative elections must seriously think about this important social concern.

9- Access to health care, especially out of our towns or metropolis, is very worrying. It is urgent that medical structures be provided everywhere in the country. The one-doctor to one thousand inhabitants’ project is gradually dying away, whereas we should be thinking now of one doctor to every five hundred inhabitants. In the same vein, quality medicine should be provided, pervert medical practices eradicated, and also ensure that the medical personnel should have the dignity of the human person at heart and respect life.

10- Education needs real renovation. The school is becoming less and less a privilege place for essential questioning, of research on cultural and human values. Several schools do not have viable infrastructure. The growing number of street children shows the reality of educational waste and the insufficient social care of our youth. Let us remember that where education is well thought out, the integral development of the human person follows.

11- A good housing policy is urgent in our country. This has to take into consideration the financial power of the majority of Cameroonians who are living below the poverty line. A good number of our fellow Cameroonians are struggling to have a house and decent accommodation. This situation accounts for one of the causes of promiscuity and growing delinquency in our country. Those elected will have to promote a policy of the construction of decent lodging for all.

12- Today electricity is a factor of development. It is therefore necessary that all people should have access to electricity. It is also necessary to ensure the permanent supply of electrical energy to avoid the disastrous consequences of power shading or cuts and poor installations, which in some cases, have resulted in deaths and the destruction of property. In the Third Millennium, it is important that every part of our country should be electrified.

13- A lot still remains to be done as far as our road infrastructure is concerned, especially secondary roads. Let us acknowledge here “that where a road passes development follows.” The majority of Cameroonians are farmers. The absence of roads undermines their efforts as they cannot sell their produce. Besides, how many lives are we losing because of the poor state of our roads?

14- Finally, basic infrastructure like social centres, clubs, and sports arenas, for example, are either absent or in a disturbing state. The putting in place of these indispensable infrastructures does not correspond to the rapid expansion of our towns. However, the development of local collectivities, especially rural councils, depends on these infrastructures which are places of communal life, of training and apprenticeship towards a better life.

15- Dear brothers and sisters, these are some important points to consider ahead of the September 30 municipal and legislative elections. It all depends on each one of you to examine well the words and promises of each candidate, and choose in conscience, those that better respond to the present exigencies. Our choice will determine the type of society that we want to build and that we intend to leave for our children.

16- We are inviting all actors, organisations, candidates, voters, observers, to respect the fundamental principles of democracy for a hitch free twin election.

17- We now turn our attention to our rulers: they should put in place everything so that the September 30 elections should be transparent to ensure genuine peace in our country.

18- On this important occasion, we renew the consecration of our country to the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles, and count on her maternal protection. We also invite all the Christian faithful, all other believers and men and women of goodwill, to pray that all should take place according to God’s plan.
                          Done in Yaoundé on September 11, 2013

                                                                                    For the Archbishops and Bishops of Cameroon

                                                                                   + Samuel KLEDA
                                                                                   Archbishop of Douala

NECC President

By Appo Budzee, Communication Officer

Cardiac surgery and cardiology have come to stay in the Cardiac Centre’s activities as the need keeps growing. The first implantation of the intracardiac cardioverter defibrillator, ICD, is another offshoot in the range of services the Cardiac Centre now offers to control and manage cardiovascular diseases.

“If not of financial difficulties experienced by our population, this new procedure should have saved many other people,” a specialist in cardio stimulation and clinical arrhythmias, Dr. Tantchou Jacque Cabral, who carried the procedure, explained. He said the number of people diagnosed with problems requiring ICD implantation is now on the rise.

The participation of the Secretary General of Cameroon’s Cardiac Society, Dr. Anastase Dzudzie, Cardiologist at the Douala General Hospital, stretched the landmark event beyond the confines of Shisong Hospital. Mention less the assistance of Robert, representative of Medtronic, South Africa, thus consolidating the Cardiac Centre’s South-South collaboration policy.
The close to 50 year Gilbert who benefited from the procedure, acknowledged spending four years preparing for the life-saving procedure. “When the sickness started, people thought it was some witchcraft, but I didn’t believe it,” he said, confirming he felt a lot better on the fourth day of post hospitalisation as he headed home.

On the eve of the preparations to celebrate the World Heart Day on September 29, Dr. Tantchou’s advised that people above 40 should do a heart check annually. Most arrhythmias or irregular sensed heartbeats begin to occur from middle age due to the weakening of the cardiovascular system.

Gima Gweningum of the GIMA International Enterprises strengthened the Cardiac Centre’s synergy by offering moral support during the procedure. “As an entrepreneur, it is incumbent on me to accompany the doctors and patients and spur them to success,” he said, while inviting other entrepreneurs to get involved in the healthcare cycle.
An ICD is a battery-like device, implanted into the left sub clavicular area to resolve the relevant heart disease—hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The genetic disease is characterised by the thickening of the walls of the heart such that the patient develops life-threatening arrhythmia—irregular heart beat and palpitation. Part of the manifestation consists in fits of unconsciousness.

Meanwhile, the Shisong Cardiac Centre keeps its doors open to daily consultations, open heart surgery, catetherisation, pace maker implantation and mobile screening tours to towns and villages around Cameroon. If you cannot reach us, we will reach you.

By Sr. Kuate Brigitte SUSC with some inputs from Emmanuel Verdzeka

All roads led to Ndop on September 7 as four Holy Union Sisters perpetually vowed to remain steadfast to the Service of God’s people.For three years, the congregation had not performed this ritual, reason for the joy of the Holy Union Sisters of the Cameroon Region when the Superior General, Sr. Margaret O’Reilly, gave a positive response to the application for Perpetual Profession of Rev. Srs. Elizabeth Ngwe, Prudence Takwa, Nora Ngwa and Meranda Ching.

After a long preparation, the Holy Union Sisters and their relatives and friends all travelled to SS Peter and Paul Parish, Ndop, on September 7 to support and encourage Srs. Elizabeth Ngwe, Prudence Takwa, Norah Ngwa and Meranda Chingas as they take the final step in their religious life.

The Auxiliary Bishop of Bamenda Archdiocese, Mgr. Agapitus Nfon, was the chief celebrant at the Eucharistic celebration. The Bishop of Kumbo Diocese, Mgr. George Nkuo, many priests, religious and friends of Holy Union, were present to share the joy of the Holy Union Sisters.

In his homily, Mgr. Agapitus Nfon underpinned the importance of Consecrated Life in the Church. He also reminded the Sisters, and especially the four making their perpetual vows, of the demands of Religious Life.

Perpetual profession is a milestone in the life of a consecrated person. It is not, as the Regional Superior of the Holy Union Sisters in Cameroon, Sr. Caroline Njah, often says “a graduation or promotion.” The “Yes” of Sisters Elizabeth, Meranda, Norah and Prudence was a response to God’s initiative which explains the great joy with which their parents freely offered them to the Church.

The occasion also served as an opportunity to collect funds to continue the construction of the Ndop Parish Church.

About the four sisters
Sr. Elizabeth Ngwe is from Babanki Tungo and made her First Profession in 2004. She was the first Holy Union Sister from Cameroon to serve in Haiti. She will soon begin her studies in Home Management in Bamenda Polytechnic.

Sr. Prudence Takwa is from Nso and was brought up in different Regions of Cameroon due to her father’s occupation. She made her First Profession in 2005 and presently serves in the Diocese of Bafoussam as financial secretary at the procure.

Sr. Norah Ngwa is from Bafut and was brought up in Ndop, where her family settled. She is now serving in the East Region where she is called to reveal God’s love to the Baka people while administering a school.

Sr. Meranda Ching comes from Djottin. She is the first Sister from Noni to make her Perpetual Profession. She made her First Profession in 2006. She served in Bankim, Ndop and Yaoundé and will shortly begin her studies in Counselling in Uganda.

Who are the Holy Union Sisters?
‘The Sisters of the Holy Union form an apostolic religious institute of pontifical right, entrusted by the Church with a share in the mission of Christ.

A priest of humble origins and strong faith, Fr. Jean Baptiste Debrabant, founded the Congregation in France in 1826. He was ‘entrusted by God with a special gift for the service of the Church. Filled with love for Christ and challenged by the needs of his time, he saw Christian education as the best means to bring the Gospel message to a de-Christianised society… His contemplation of the Union of Jesus and Mary in the mystery of the Incarnation led him to give his Congregation a name of special significance - The Holy Union….’

From the name the congregation’s Charism –union, flows. The Holy Union Sisters strive to bring union and reconciliation in their varied ministries. They work in schools, dispensaries, and parishes, with the handicapped, the youth, and wherever they are needed. The congregation’s spirituality is rooted in the Incarnation as members try to let Christ be born again in their lives and in the lives of all those they meet.

Prayer is central to the Sisters’ way of life. They meet Christ daily in the Sacrament of the Eucharist as individuals and as a community.

It is an international Congregation found in three continents – Europe, North and South America and in Africa. In Africa, the Holy Union Sisters are in Benin, Tanzania and Cameroon.

Congregation members strive to fulfil Article one of their Constitutions:

" Our call is to be at the heart of the world revealing God’s love. We spend ourselves to make all people one in Christ, united with God our Father and with one another.’"

By Singfred Sinior M’sene, BSM

Buea Cathedral Soppo

Preparations have pick up speed in Buea as the oldest diocese in Cameroon is looking forward to hosting the nation’s 33 Bishops and delegates from the 25 dioceses in Cameroon from October 3-5 for celebrations marking the close of the Year of Faith in Cameroon.

In this light, an enlarged meeting, which preceded six other meetings with the same purpose, was held at the Bishop’s House Soppo on Friday, September 6 in the presence of the Bishop of Buea, Immanuel Bushu, parish priests in Buea Diocese and diocesan council members for the celebration, during which committees were formed and financial tasks distributed to parishes.

The Regina Pacis Cathedral Parish church and its surrounding, where the event will hold, is receiving a face-lift and funds for the event were also raised in many parishes across Buea Diocese. At the Buea Diocesan communication service, journalists and workers are busy preparing programmes and prayer cards for the D-day.

“We have held about six meetings so far and we are about 70 percent prepared. This could have been higher but for the fact that the Co-cathedral site, which we first chose as the venue for the closing Mass, was changed because of logistical problems,” the Year of Faith planning committee chairperson, Rosaline Menga, said.

Mrs. Menga, who is also the Buea Diocesan Laity Council chairperson, is optimistic that the more than 7000 worshippers expected for the Year of Faith grand finale will enjoy Buea’s legendary hospitality. “I do not doubt that everybody who will come for the event will leave Buea happy,” she noted.

A September 13 press release from the Director of Communication for the Diocese of Buea, Rev. Fr. Wilson Ngema, indicates that the ceremony shall begin on October 3 with the arrival of guests. There shall be a symposium on the Year of Faith and workshops on October 4. The peak event shall be a Pontifical Solemn Mass on October 5 in Soppo with all the Bishops of Cameroon, including the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, His Grace PieroPropio, expected to be present.

Pope Benedict XVI decreed the "Year of Faith" from October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013. The first day of the Year of Faith, October 11, 2012, was the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and the twentieth anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. During the Year of Faith, Catholics are asked to study and reflect on the documents of Second Vatican Council and the Catechism to deepen their faith.

Buea Diocese was created in 1950 and is the oldest diocese in Cameroon. Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, summons all Catholics to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Saviour of the world.

By Ireneaus Chongwain Chia

The September 30 twin elections are just round the corner, and as they are wont to doing, the Bishops of Cameroon have issued a pastoral letter implanting the signposts that should guide Cameroonians in general and Catholics in particular in making meaningful and thoughtful choices when that important date comes. Such guidelines are important because we are living in a regrettably festering moral and political environment and elections; that should ensure peace and political stability through the sacrosanct respect of the electorate’s choices, have paradoxically become one of the leading causes of civil strife and political frustration and discontent in our present political set up.

Such is usually the case because only a few have some concern for the common good and the majority are driven only by the desire to protect personal, tribal, regional and parochial party interests. During such periods, the growing numbers of destitute Cameroonians who are only eager to satisfy or assuage immediate pressing physiological needs like hunger, become vulnerable to the whims and caprices of capricious and manipulating politicians. They are therefore coerced or forced to support misleading and deceitful political philosophies and practices to the detriment of the common good, when their choices are not simply brushed aside through fraud when they were contrary to those who hold the reins of power.

Such has been the case time and again giving the impression that Cameroonians are political dotards unable to learn from past mistakes to improve their lot, or have become too frustrated to care what eventually happens. The time to remain politically myopic and unable to see beyond the inconsequential and sometimes laughable concerns is over. It is now time to defend noble and fundamental human goals, the collective or communal good, for if voters are only interested in upholding narrow and calculated interests, the majority will suffer as a result. The examples in Cameroon lie strewn far and wide like autumn leaves.

Whereas choosing the right candidates may be a Herculean or difficult task for Christians of other denominations, the choice is made much easier for Catholics through the bishops’ pastoral letters and the Church’s Social Doctrine. Just recently Pope Francis called on Catholics who are indifferent to politics to become more engaged.

“None of us can say, ‘I have nothing to do with this, they govern.' ... No, no, I am responsible for their governance, and I have to do the best so that they govern well, and I have to do my best by participating in politics according to my ability. Politics, according to the Social Doctrine of the Church, is one of the highest forms of charity, because it serves the common good. I cannot wash my hands, eh? We all have to give something!” Catholics should therefore give something on September 30 by making informed and thoughtful choices along the lines their bishops have indicated.

Douala Emeritus Archbishop once gave a simple formula to help Christians make the right choices during elections. For those asking for your vote for a second or more times, determine what they have accomplished during the previous mandates. If you are satisfied with the results, give them a second or more chances. If the results are disappointing, kick them out, the number of drinks, bags of food, and stacks of money they have shared out to influence your choice, and their party, religious, regional and social provenance notwithstanding.

This is not only a democratic obligation, but also an evangelical concern as the “Church values the democratic system inasmuch as it ensures the participation of citizens in making political choices, guarantees to the governed the possibility both of electing and holding accountable those who govern them, and of replacing them through peaceful means when appropriate. (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 406).

For those who are asking for your vote for the first time, Christian Cardinal also advised that you should determined how involved they are in the development and protection of the common or collective good in your community. If they have exhibited questionable managerial aptitudes and failed to respect the common good, what makes you think they will automatically become managerial saints and common good advocates once elected? Don’t trust them!

If only voters knew what power they wield; if only they knew what power they have in holding those who govern them to account, they will not trade so much for so little like a few banknotes. Don’t only vote come September 30, but vote wisely!

By Joseph Nsom Joseph, BUCREP - Yaounde

Homosexuality is a sexual orientation which can either be emotional, romantic, or a sexual attraction to another person. Sexual orientation ranges from exclusive homosexuality to exclusive heterosexuality and includes various forms of bisexuality.

Sexual orientations are different from sexual behaviour as people may or may not express their sexual orientations in their behaviours. Homosexuality can loosely be defined as any sexual activity that takes place between people of the same sex as opposed to heterosexuality which refers to sexual activity between people of different sexes.

Males involved in a sexual act are often referred to as gays, while females are referred to as lesbians, although the word gay may also apply to both. But at creation God explicitly recommended heterosexuality as the norm for humanity.

In the beginning God created heaven and earth. And God proceeded to create the man in his own image, in God’s image he created him; male and female he created them. Further, God blessed them and said to them: “Be fruitful and become many and fill the earth…. And that is why a man will leave his father and his mother and he must stick to his wife and they must become one flesh (Genesis 1:27-2:24). No man is to have sexual relations with another man; God hates that. No man or woman is to have sexual relations with an animal, that perversion makes you ritually unclean (Leviticus 18:22-23).

The practice of homosexuality is as old as the world itself. From the beginning of creation humans rebelled against God. In the city of Sodom men were having sexual relations with men, a situation that God never tolerated and this city was destroyed. Homosexuality is therefore a human rebellion against God which started from creation. It is a very serious crime against God and that is why God demonstrated his anger from the beginning by destroying Sodom.

Human rights should therefore not be brought forward to justify this act. Human rights must end where human rebellion against God begins, otherwise human rights advocates will also have to defend humans who have sexual relations with animals and all other serious rebellious acts. If human rights go in all directions, then humans will certainly end up with no rights at all.

Contrary to what most people think, homosexuality is not a practice from the West. The West is simply legalising and therefore making the practice normal. Homosexuality has existed and continues to exist in various forms in virtually all human societies.

Individuals practice homosexuality for various reasons – economic, cultic, imitation, and the absence of an opposite sex partner, for example. Homosexuality is common in prisons and in most single sex settings. Whatever the reasons advanced for the practice of homosexuality, it is regarded as a rebellious act against God, and God alone knows what punishment He will mete out to these rebels.

It is therefore abnormal for people to advocate that such a practice be legalised. If people in the West find this practice normal in their society, it is abnormal for them to impose it on the African continent. Although some misguided African societies are already adhering to this call, they need to reconsider their stance. Gay marriages could be extremely strange in African societies and Africans are not bound to engage in practices that are certainly going to destroy them.

Some sources say a self-proclaimed gay person spoke out publicly for gay rights in 1867. Denmark was the first country to legalise same-sex marriages in 1989. About 10 countries have officially recognised same-sex partnerships today.

Western countries and most international institutions like the World Bank, United Nations Organisation, European Union, and the International Monetary Fund, under the cover of human rights, are putting pressure on African countries to legalise homosexuality, but each country must look at itself as a distinct entity or face the consequences as Sodom did.

By Fr. Gerald Jumbam Nyuykongmo

On a flight from Rio to Rome last July, Pope Francis answered questions on different subjects from Vatican correspondents aboard the papal plane. Surprisingly, the biggest headline from the Holy Father’s remarks came not from the key issues he addressed during the one-hour interview, but from what he said about homosexuality.

The papal remarks put the international press in a frenzy as headlines across the world announced a revolution in Roman Catholic moral teaching, specifically on homosexuality; or at least on what the press considered an historic “new openness” on the subject.

Yet, a closer look at the Pope’s remark reveals a far less revolutionary reality. Pope Francis did not change or modify a sentence on Catholic moral teaching, no! The official Catechism of the Catholic Church states that homosexuality is “objectively disordered.” The Church and the Pope are not reluctant offering a moral judgment on homosexuality. The Catholic Church has a long tradition of consistent moral ruling on homosexuality which she considers sinful. This has not changed, either!

So, what did the Holy Father actually say?
In the context of his larger remarks on homosexuality, Pope Francis clarified that a homosexual “lobby” within the Church is intolerable. He told the reporters that he saw gay individuals as distinct from a gay lobby. “I think that when we encounter a gay person, we must make the distinction between the fact of a person being gay and the fact of a lobby, because lobbies are not good. They are bad.”

Only then did the Pope make his most-quoted sentence: “If a person is gay and seeks the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge that person?” The Pope’s comment essentially means that homosexual acts are sinful and “objectively disordered.” Nevertheless, as the Catechism also states, homosexuals are to be “accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.”

The Catechism further explains that to live with a sexual inclination that is objectively disordered is “a trial.” The official Catholic position is that homosexuals are called to chastity. By virtue of self-mastery, disinterested friendship, prayer, and sacramental grace they can approach Christian perfection. (Cf. CCC.2357 to 2359)

In this context, Pope Francis’s remarks are not revolutionary- and do not even come close! But the Holy Father was clearly signalling a new mode of engagement on the issue. Pope Francis, a widely admired spiritual leader, is trying to find a way to speak of homosexuality and homosexuals that reflects the Church’s moral homosexuality reality and the respect that all human beings are due.

Homosexuality is no more an issue only for Europe and North America. The challenges are everywhere - even in Africa where the practice is strange, covert and inadmissible. Not long ago, the Bishops of Cameroon addressed the issue in no uncertain terms. “We the Bishops of Cameroon, reiterate our disapproval of homosexuality and homosexual unions. On this subject we call on all believers and people of goodwill to reject homosexuality and the so-called “gay marriages” and to accompany those who are inclined towards homosexuality and homosexuals by means of prayer, spiritual follow up and compassion, in view of their conversion.”

There could be no better message identical to the Pope’s than this. The message is: Bold Truth and Engaging Love. We need them both and the world will always need the Church and Pope to send this message to a culture that seems hell-bound and that treads the path of perdition and self-destruction.

Speaking from the vantage point of the rich African culture, the Cameroon bench of Bishops affirms that “Homosexuality falsifies human anthropology and trivialises sexuality, marriage and family as the foundation of society. In the African culture, homosexuality is not part of the family and social values. It is a flagrant violation of the legacy which our ancestors, faithful to heterosexuality and the family, have handed down to us.”

Yet, the biggest difficulty about this controversy is where to nip the evil. It is here that Pope Francis’ genius comes to light. He brilliantly points out that rather than focusing our attention on homosexuals, who we should treat with compassion, “a gay lobby” is at the root of the problem.

These lobbyists are a moneyed aristocracy - the agents of a neo-paganism who seek to redefine sexual ethics so that being “gay is okay.” It is a “dictatorship of relativism” masterminded by a conspiracy of organisations like the International Lesbian and Gay Organisation, the International Planned Parenthood Federation, IPPF, CAMNAFAW and many other NGOs, supported by several western multinationals, and promoted by some western leaders and international organisations to ruin the moral and spiritual life of an impoverished and suffering continent.

Thoughtful Africans must therefore realise the consequences of this to future generations. The result in Africa has been the Cairo and Beijing UN Conferences, the Maputo Protocol and the pressure being put on African governments to ratify this spurious ideology. Civilisations meet and even merge, but never before has the impact of such an ideological dictatorship been experienced on the African continent than now.

No African son or daughter who cares about the future of the continent’s children should wave the issue aside. It therefore rests on the shoulders of modern African theologians, intellectuals, and scientists to combat these infamous forces to regain the soul of Africa; for only with this commitment, dedication and, most importantly, the Saving Word of Jesus Christ through His Holy Church, can we be redeemed from the wild seductions of this western apostasy invading and decimating entire peoples.

By Jude Abanseka

Mr. Mumbari Ghislain wishing Fr. Joseph Ateh well while Fr. Michael Bibi looks on

It has been revealed that BEPHA Bamenda has made a surplus of FCFA 465,180 (four hundred and sixty-five thousand, one hundred and eighty) in the 2012/2013 BEPHA Year.

The Archdiocesan branch of the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Provincial Health Assistance, BEPHA, scheme made a deficit of about FCFA 26 million in the 2011/2012 BEPHA Year, but thanks to restructuring efforts put in place, it has survived bankruptcy and even made a surplus.

The out-going BEPHA Acting Manager in Bamenda, Mr. Mumbari made the revelation in a ceremony during which the BEPHA Provincial office handed back the affairs of the Bamenda office to the Archdiocese of Bamenda.

At the ceremony on August 14, 2013 at the Archbishop’s House, Rev. Fr. Joseph Ateh officially took over the management of BEPHA Bamenda. This marks the first time since its inception in March 2008 that a priest is piloting BEPHA affairs in Bamenda.

Since it was created, BEPHA has been headed in different dioceses of Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province by clergy men except in Bamenda where a laity had been managing the scheme until recently.
By May 2011, just three years after it was created, BEPHA Bamenda had an accumulated deficit of above FCFA 50 million at the Archbishop’s House with prospects of things even getting worse.

In the 2011/2012 BEPHA Year alone, the deficit was about FCFA 26 million. It was against this backdrop that Bamenda Archdiocese handed over BEPHA Bamenda to BEPHA Provincial to run and restructure for one year.

BEPHA Provincial decided to hire Mr. Mumbari’s services considering the good job he did in setting up the BEPHA scheme in Buea Diocese. Mr. Mumbari took over BEPHA Bamenda on June 1, 2012 and was confirmed by an Episcopal appointment in July 2012.

In a handover speech, Mr. Mumbari highlighted the challenges he faced, but noted he succeeded thanks to the collaboration of the BEPHA Bamenda and the BEPHA Provincial teams. He suggested to the new manager that the 25000th bill paid by BEPHA Bamenda should be celebrated in October 2013.

He also noted that BEPHA has not yet been consolidated, but is still at the growing phase where new concepts are needed daily, thus making it a very tough job. He promised to assist the new manager whenever the need arises, even though he was handing over.

The new BEPHA manager, Fr. Ateh, noted that he had been following up BEPHA from the very beginning and was not a complete stranger to the scheme. He said Mr. Mumbari had been a great manager and would give him a 100 percent rating if he were asked.

Presiding at the handover ceremony, the Chancellor of the Archdiocese Rev. Fr. Michael Bibi thanked the outgoing manager for a job well done, while urging Fr. Joseph Ateh to emulate his predecessor’s good example.

Rev. Fr. Joseph Ateh was the former Canon of St. Joseph Metropolitan Cathedral, Mankon before the June 2013 appointments that brought him to the helm of BEPHA.

Interviewed by Grace Ongey

Rev. Sr. Christa Pardeller is one of those who have dedicated their lives to the service of God’s people. She comes from Italy and is of the Order of Franciscan Sisters. She has been in Cameroon for 43 years. Having worked in several places in Cameroon like Bali Nyonga, Djottin, and Akwaya, Sr. Pardeller is presently working with St. Padre Pio Hospital Akwa Nord where she is the director. L’Effort Camerounais caught up with her after the tenth anniversary celebration and she traces the hospital’s path to success. Excerpts:

Sr., how do you feel on this hospital’s tenth anniversary?
I feel very happy and fulfilled because this hospital has grown very fast. When I came it had only one section, but a lot of hard work has been done in the course of these years and now we have a big hospital.

How did the hospital come about?
Initially it was the private clinic of a gynecologist, Dr. Yongbang. He wanted to sell it and told the Cardinal about it. Cardinal Tumi called our provincial house in Shisong and the Sisters took up the challenge and bought the clinic.

Can you briefly tell us the steps that the hospital has taken to become what it is?
We started with renovation work because the place had been neglected and this cost us a lot of money. We also had problems with water and we had to dig a well to get water upstairs and temporarily solve the water problem. Later on I got benefactors who helped and we were able to raise the first good maternity building in 2005 as what was there before was of poor quality. In 2005 I went on leave and met my friends who helped tremendously and we were able to build the second section. In 2009 I went on leave again and gathered aid from our benefactors and we then built the C ward and now the hospital is complete.

What has been the biggest challenge running this hospital?
The biggest challenge was to get things going well, to care for patients. That was our immediate priority to see to it that patients are well cared for. Another challenge was setting up the maternity section as we noticed there was a real need in that area.

Could Sr. let us know where she draws her strength from as she is noted for exceptional hard work?
I will soon be of age, but the other Sisters and I get our strength from prayers and God’s mercy and protection because we trust in Him and He is the one directing us. However, it is not always easy, but we thank God.

Are there any prospects for the hospital?
There is no more space in the hospital. Every space has been used up and we can only expand elsewhere. We now have an X-ray department which cost us about FCFA 100 million, but thank God everything is gradually coming to an end. We plan to get more workers, as they are never sufficient, such that patients are well cared for.

What message do you have for your staff?
I am very happy with my staff because they are all very hardworking. I enjoy working with them even though sometimes I have to be very hard on them, but we still remain very close.

By Grace Ongey

Sr. Pardeller, regional delegate of health and workers who are 10 years in the hospital

A crowd turned out at the Shisong St. Padre Pio Hospital, Akwa Nord, on September 23 as the hospital celebrated its tenth anniversary. The event, which coincided with the feast day of the hospital’s patron, Padre Pio, started with a Holy Mass, with Douala Emeritus Archbishop Christian Cardinal Tumi, as the main celebrant.

In his homily, Cardinal Tumi enjoined those present to thank and praise God for the life of St. Padre Pio who, unlike most of us, tried everyday to please the Lord by imitating Christ. He exalted St. Pio who always strived to do what pleased God. “This,” he continued “is what being a Christian entails.”

He explained that St. Pio loved God and neighbour to the point where he was ready to give up his own life. He laid emphasis on the point that loving those who hate us is like imitating Christ who prayed and implored God’s mercy on those who crucified him.

Christian Cardinal Tumi likened Padre Pio’s gentleness and humility to His master Jesus Christ to whom all riches belong, but who was born in a lowly state and was killed among thieves. He therefore called on those present to pray and ask the Lord to make their hearts as humble as that of Jesus Christ.

He said while he was alive, St. Pio showed that he was a man of deep faith; faith that is professed, lived, celebrated and prayed. He therefore asked the congregation to pray, through the intercession of St. Pio, to be brought to the glory of the resurrection.

After the Eucharistic celebration the staff presented a welcome song in which they thanked everyone who had contributed to the hospital’s growth. The director, Sr. Christa Pardeller, also thanked everyone who had come to celebrate their patron saint’s feast and the hospital’s tenth anniversary. She said the flagship remains committed to fulfilling the needs of an ever needy community.

The staff representative, Keneth Tawong, thanked the staff for their tireless efforts in ensuring that the hospital grows by leaps and bounds. He said St. Pio is a contemporary saint because he died in 1968 and those who lived and worked with him are still alive thereby helping to fortify the faith among present day Christians. He explained the milestone achievements at the Padre Pio Hospital thanks to Sr. Pardeller who has been endowed with a strength beyond human comprehension.

Blowing off anniversary candles

The chief medical officer, Dr. Jean Paul Koubitim, said the hospital has risen from its humble beginnings to providing exceptional care. The gynaecologist explained that the first child was born in the hospital on January 7, 2003 and since then 18, 234 babies have been born, giving an average of 300 births monthly.

He thanked Cardinal Tumi for his indefatigable efforts to ensure that the hospital was created. He also commended the Franciscan Sisters for their hard work and for ensuring improved health care in the hospital.

The regional delegate for Public Health, Yamba Beyas Martin, praised the tremendous efforts the staff, administrators, nurses, doctors, and support staff are making daily. He praised the Catholic Church for all she is doing in the health domain.

Medals were awarded to meritorious and hardworking staff, to those who have been at the hospital since it was created, and punctual and devoted workers, during the emotion-packed event. The anniversary cake also added flavour to the already aroma-rich celebration as the kick-off staff and the director blew out the anniversary candles.

Traditional dances and sketches highlighting the experiences between the staff and patients also graced the occasion. The regional delegate for Public Health and some health authorities, traditional rulers, a cream of Reverend Sisters, benefactors and sympathisers, were present at the event.

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