“He died doing what he loved”: Catholic Bishop Pays Tribute to Young Priest Swept Away by River in Cameroon

He recounted how his journey with Fr. Carol began when he served as a lecturer at the seminary. 

“While working closely with him… I noticed in him a valuable and available Seminarian. It was so touching,” the Cameroonian Catholic Bishop said. 

He recalled the young Priest’s love for children, demonstrated through his affection, smiles, and treats.

In June 2023, Bishop Abangalo appointed Fr. Carol as the Parish Priest of the newly created Christian community in Tabongkwa. 

“After praying and discerning, the lot fell on Fr. Carol Tchinda. And what a providential choice that has turned out to be. I went to that little St. Baptist Parish, and I couldn’t believe what I saw. Fr. Carol transformed darkness into paradise,” he said.

Bishop Abangalo recalled the sacrifices Fr. Carol made to become a Priest, saying, “He worked with his own hands to provide for his needs—selling produce, selling apples… Fr. Carol did not know how to become a Priest. He changed that.”

In his pastoral assignments, the Local Ordinary of Mamfe said Fr. Carol stood out. 

“For over two years, I have known Fr. Carol as a true pastor of souls, in every respect,” the Catholic Church leader said, quoting the parish council chairperson who once said, “He loves his work. He loves us. And we love him.”

Fr. Carol was remembered by his peers as a man of deep spiritual discipline, Bishop Abangalo said, adding, “He was a praying Seminarian… a prayer warrior. He prayed the Stations of the Cross, the passion of Christ, every day.”

His commitment extended to his peers, the Bishop of Mamfe recalled, “During our last meeting… he asked me to create a WhatsApp group where we share holy prayers and novenas, and encourage each other on our priestly journey.”

On the day of his death, he had shared a prayer calendar for the month of August. 

“He would always share his experiences and wish he had the capacity to conquer all the evil around him,” Bishop Abangalo said.

He likened the suddenness of Fr. Carol’s death to a power outage at night—a plunge into darkness. 

“One minute the light is shining… then, without the slightest warning, we are plunged into darkness,” he said, urging the people of God to the Word of God.

He encouraged those present to embrace peace and forgiveness, saying, “Do not let the sun go down on your anger… You never know when He will come.”

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Bishop Abangalo recalled how even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Fr. Carol made peace between relatives in conflict. 

“He was known in the family as a man of peace and reconciliation,” he said.

Bishop Abangalo reminded the people of God that Christian funerals are also calls to transformation. 

“You have lost a pastor, a father, a brother, and a friend. But rest assured—the same God who sent him to you will not abandon you,” he said.

“May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Peace and Help of Christians, continue to intercede for Fr. Carol, that God may grant you eternal rest in heaven—the true home of peace. You have an ambassador in heaven. You have an intercessor. Fr. Carol was a hero,” Bishop Abangalo said.

Fr. Carol had gone missing on July 31 while crossing a river during a pastoral trek. His disappearance prompted a coordinated search and rescue mission, supported by Clergy, family members, and the PArishioners of St. Mathias Quasi Parish.