By Emmanuel Verdzeka
Priests, religious and the lay faithful in Kumbo
Diocese have been exhorted to renew their commitment to the Catholic faith as
she enters a new dawn. The Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, Mgr Piero Pioppo, made
the call during the peak celebration of 100 years of the Catholic Faith in Kumbo
Diocese on January 25 at the ceremonial ground of St. Augustine College Nso.
Thousands of Christians from Kumbo and beyond, priests
and religious and even people from other faiths, were part of a beautifully animated
celebration, which many described as historic. The beautiful singing and
culture-styled lectionary procession, which some traditional rulers led, added
colour to the event. Cameroon's PM Philemon Yang represented the President of
the Republic of Cameroon.
The Apostolic Nuncio, who presided over the Pontifical High Mass, conscious
of the growing challenges of today's church, asked the laity to proudly profess
their faith as only faith can deliver them from indifferences. He called on
parents to transmit their faith to their children, who in turn must not treat
it as a private matter, but use it to contribute to their Church’s and
community’s growth. He enjoined priests and religious to love each other and to
listen to the voice of the Spirit.
Alluding to the day’ s scriptures , Mgr. Pioppo likened the encounter of early Christians
with the first missionaries in Kumbo 100 years ago, to St. Paul's conversion on
his way to Damascus. He said the early Christians received what St. Paul received directly from Christ from
the first missionaries.
He explained conversion is not a result of personal
engagement but rather Grace from God. He asked the congregation to reflect deeply
on what St. Paul's conversion means to them today. He encouraged Christians to
always walk in the early Christians’ path and to ask Holy Mary, Star of New
Evangelization, to shine her light on their path to keep their Catholic Faith
alive.
Welcoming guests, the Mayor of Kumbo, Donatus Fonyuy Njong, acknowledged the
enormous sacrifices which the early Christians made to implant the
Catholic faith in Kumbo. He also recounted the numerous contributions the Church
has made especially in health and education. He wandered what could have become
of Kumbo without the Catholic Church. Even with the growing challenges the Church
is facing today, the Mayor called on all to embrace the next century with determination
and faith.
The visiting German delegation from Limburg described the celebrations as God's
blessings. Limburg and Kumbo Diocese have enjoyed 25 years of fruitful
relations. Mgr Charles Hammawah led the delegation from the neighboring
Nigerian Diocese of Jalingo.
Fourteen Bishops took part in the Eucharistic celebrations including
Cameroon's lone Cardinal, Christian Tumi.
At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, the Apostolic Nuncio handed
certificates and awards to some Christians who have help in the Church’s growth
in Kumbo.
Brief History
On December 31, 1912, six Sacred Heart Missionaries of St. Quentin, who Rev. Fr Lennartz was heading, arrived in Kumbo from Germany. Peter Wame and his wife Elizabeth Yaadiy guided them to Nso.
On January 1, 1913, the first mission station was opened in Shisong on the same day the first Mass was said. In May 1914, a second group of 12 missionaries arrived. The German Sacred Heart Missionaries departed in 1915 after the Second World War. French Sacred Missionaries only replaced them in 1920.
All along the early church suffered persecution from
the already established traditional institutions and rulers. The first church
and the catechist's house were burnt to ashes On December 20, 1920. The early
Christians were caught, tried in the traditional court and imprisoned.
Today, Kumbo Diocese covers the administrative units of Bui and Donga-Mantung Divisions,
North West Region, Cameroon. It has 95 priests, over 30 religious congregations
and thousands of Christians, who worship in 27 parishes.