Kumba, 08 January, 2026 / 11:30 PM
On the sixth day of the 49th Annual Seminar of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC), Bishop George Nkuo of Kumbo Catholic Diocese has called on the people of God to live as credible messengers of the gospel, embracing love, forgiveness, and spiritual firmness in the face of life’s challenges.
In his homily during Mass that was celebrated at St. John Parish of Kumba Diocese, Bishop Nkuo reflected on the seminar’s theme of “Communion and Collegiality,” emphasizing that the Church is “a great family of God” bound to live in unity and love.
“We are called to be credible messengers of the gospel and true peace, following the example of Christ, the Prince of Peace,” the Cameroonian Catholic Bishop said during the Thursday, January 8 Eucharistic celebration.
He reminded his fellow Bishops and the faithful that living in communion, solidarity, and love is the “truest measure of Christian leadership.”
“Christian love is sacrificial and outward-focused. Our vocation is to embody the love and mercy of God in every aspect of our ministry,” he said, adding, “We are to love God because God loved us first.”
Bishop Nkuo encouraged Christians to take the first step toward reconciliation, even when difficult, saying, “To forgive first is not weakness. It is strength, for we imitate the conduct of God himself.”
“During every Holy Mass, we express our love for one another through the sign of peace. This gesture is a prayer for God’s peace, and also a visible sign of our inner readiness to love and forgive,” Bishop Nkuo said.
He emphasized that Christian victory is spiritual, not political or military, saying, “Faith in Jesus Christ enables us to overcome the forces of darkness, the pressures and violence of the world. Victory comes when we are not dominated by hate, greed, or selfishness.”
“If we maintain our Christian values, sustain our faith, and live heroically as disciples of Christ, we are spiritual conquerors,” the LOcal Ordinary of Kumbo Diocese added.
Bishop Nkuo urged Christians to ask themselves, “Does your love set people free? Does it allow us to see the Lord in their lives, to release them from prejudice, jealousy, pride, and hate? Are we serving people by our love for God and neighbor?”
He said, “The coming of Christ is a constant invitation to convert our hearts. God’s tenderness and love reach all our wounds, loneliness, and poverty.”
“May the light of hope illuminate our faces and warm our hearts,” Bishop Nkuo said.
The January 3-10 annual seminar provides a platform for the Bishops to reflect, dialogue, and engage on matters concerning the pastoral life of the Church in Cameroon.
Central to their discussions are emerging pastoral challenges, innovative strategies for evangelization, and renewed approaches to strengthening the faith of Christians in a rapidly changing social and cultural context.
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