Christian faithful of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Mamfe, South West Region of Cameroon have celebrated the silver of it’s erection. The final two days event had the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, Archbishop José A. Bettencourt.
The holy see representative landed in Mamfe on Wednesday day, 21 February. To join Bishop emeritus, Francis Teke Lysinge, ArchBishop Andrew Nkea, and now Bishop Aloysius Abangalo Fondong who have served the diocese as residential bishops in that order. Together with other prelate, administrative authorities, chiefs and thousands of faithfuls.
His Excellency, Jose A. Bettencourt was bestowed the honorary title of “Etongho Mandem” meaning “Light of God” by the Chiefs of Manyu. In his message, he bore hope and the warmest of greetings from the Vatican for the faithful who he cautioned to remain guided amidst the difficulties.
“Today, in these difficult times, your ministry is ever relevant to the faithful and the community as a whole. Preach the Eternal Word of Peace throughout your land. Be messengers of Peace and unity… I come amongst you as a brother amongst brothers. Pope Francis desired that I should come personally amongst you in Mamfe.” The Vatican Diplomat said.
Saluting the efforts of the chief shepherd of Mamfe Diocese, Bishop Aloysius Abangalo Fondong, he called for togetherness. His Grace, Jose A. Bettencourt expressed gratitude for God’s grace working in the Bishop and the flock in the “difficulties, humiliations, molestations, hardship, sacrifice you face each and every day.”
With the coming of the gospel in 1912 to the area, it was not until the late 1990s that the Vatican created the Diocese of Mamfe splitting it from Buea. This, Bishop George Nkuo of Kumbo said in his homily that the Diocese of Mamfe is prove of God’s faithfulness and built on Christ such that the gates of hell shall not prevail over it. He was preaching at the peak of celebrations on Thursday, 22 February.
“If the Lord had not been on our side, when the Anglophone crisis pitch it’s tent in Mamfe Diocese, the war would have swallowed us alive. When churches, homes and medical facilities were burnt to ashes, the fire would have swallowed us alive”. Bishop Nkuo said.
While praising the commitment of many priests, catechist and lay faithful, the prelate disapproved those who he believed had worked against the growth of the diocese. He challenged the faithful not only to seek and find the scandals and imperfections of the church but to find it’s sacredness, holiness and beauty. Such that, theirs will be a united and prayerful diocese.