Bishop Bibi further reflects on the glorified body of Christ and the theological significance of the Ascension, quoting the Catechism of the Catholic Church to underscore the profound truth of the moment.
Jesus Christ, he says, “now sits at the right hand of the Father, in the glory and honour of divinity, where he who exists as Son of God before all ages, indeed as God, of one being with the Father, is seated bodily after He became incarnate and His flesh was glorified.”
The Cameroonian Catholic Bishop, who has been at the helm of Buea Diocese since December 2019, first as Apostolic Administrator, and since February 2021 as the Local Ordinary, reminds the people of God that the Ascension also marks the beginning of a period of expectation and preparation, as the Church awaits the coming of the Holy Spirit.
“With the Ascension, the apostles awaited the coming of the promised Holy Spirit,” Bishop Bibi says.
He goes on to remind Catholics of the power of the glorified and reigning Chris, saying, “He to whom was given dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him, he whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that shall not be destroyed, will again bestow his power on us as he did to the apostles and believers at Pentecost.”
The Cameroonian Catholic Bishop announces Friday, May 30 as the start of the Novena to the Holy Spirit to “effectively prepare for the celebration of the Feast of Pentecost” on Sunday, June 8.
Bishop Bibi invites the people of God to pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit across all levels of the Church.
“Let us together pray for the descent of the Holy Spirit on His Church, for a renewal and transformation of the people of God. Let us pray for Bishops, Priests, Religious, and the Lay faithful, especially in our Diocese, that we may all receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and grow in our union with God,” he implores in his message dated May 29.
Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.
