“Your visit to our Diocese is a blessing”: Mayor in Cameroon Hails Cardinal Sarah’s Visit

“Your positive presence plunges us into the joy of the disciples Christ visited on the day after the resurrection,” the Cameroonian Mayor further said. 

The Diocese of Obala, he continued, “is also a space with an ecumenical vocation, and a land of inter-religious dialogue. All religious communities live in harmony with one another, caressing the effects of living together as a vector of lasting social peace.”

“The Obala Council appreciates the educational work undertaken here by the Christian religions, particularly those of the Catholic Church which, in addition to elementary school, has many secondary schools,” Mayor Ebida said.

He acknowledged the collaboration in the health sector, saying, “The Catholic Church in Obala also supports the state in attending to the needs of the population particularly on health. The Church has many health facilities that greatly serve the population.”

The Mayor also expressed his appreciation for the person of Cardinal Sarah, describing him as a “committed, serious, brilliant and experienced Prelate.”

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On April 3, Cardinal Sarah addressed the Clergy ministering in Obala Diocese at St. Anna Efob Parish on the topic, “Silence in the liturgy”. He had an encounter with representatives of the Laity at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral of Obala Diocese on April 4, during which he urged them to prioritize “prayer before action”.

The Cardinal who, until his retirement in February 2021, was serving as Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, presided over Priestly Ordination of 12 Deacons on April 5; and held a meeting with representatives of the youths of Obala Diocese on April 6.

Also speaking during the April 5 Priestly Ordination celebration, the Local Ordinary of Obala Diocese, Bishop Sosthène Léopold Bayemi Matjei, extended to Cardinal Sarah the joy of the people of God in his Episcopal See.

“I would like to tell you that we are proud of you. We are proud to have you in our midst and we love you. You have truly confirmed us in our faith, and you have encouraged us in our search for Holiness in our being God's family,” Bishop Bayemi said.

He recalled remarks by Cardinal Sarah upon arrival in the country, saying, “You told us that nothing beautiful can be achieved without silence. You told us that God speaks best in silence. But you also told us that faith is a gift from God and must be received.”

“You said that the liturgy is a gift from God, that it is received from God in this respect; that it is not our creation and that we must celebrate for the Lord. You told us that we must have recourse to the Eucharist because it dispels disputes, and God alone knows how many disputes exist in our beloved Diocese because of differences, especially problems of land,” Bishop Bayemi said.

He went on to recall, “You told us that without love, there is no authority. There is no authority without love, and it is love that makes all authority.”

Cardinal Sarah is scheduled to meet members of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC) on April 10, ahead of his departure from Cameroon on April 12.