“A monument to your zeal, faith”: Nuncio in Cameron on Rededication of Bamenda Cathedral after Major Renovation

“The dedication of the Metropolitan Cathedral Church of St. Joseph marks a new point in the life of the Archdiocese. We celebrate 55 years as a Diocese. Happy Anniversary! I hear zeal and pride,” the Portuguese-born Vatican diplomat said.

He continued, “Your Cathedral church is a place of faith and peace. Your Cathedral church's stones have witnessed the history of this land. Your Cathedral church's registers and archives hold the memory of generations.”

The Cathedral church, the Apostolic Nuncio went on to say, “honors your fathers, your ancestors, your noble people, and we are very honored with the presence of the traditional leaders here today. Your Cathedral church is a beacon that points to the future with its unique mission that goes beyond the immediate parish community.”

Reflecting on the theme of the ongoing Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope”, Archbishop Bettencourt said, “Hope can be a profound source of change. Hope is capable of generating trust, brotherhood, and the energy to build a future together. We all thirst for hope. “

“Ever since Pope Francis had the intuition of calling us forth in hope, the Archdiocese of Bamenda was working hard in the spirit of hope. Hope is at the heart of the extension and restoration of your Cathedral church,” the Apostolic Nuncio said.

He further said, “Hope is at the heart of your faith. Hope is at the heart of our lives. Bamenda is to be congratulated for its contribution to the Church in Cameroon and to the Church throughout the world.”

The Apostolic Nuncio in Cameroon since his appointment in August 2023 thanked the Clergy, women and men Religious, and Laity for their steadfast support and apostolic dedication to the mission of the Archdiocese.

He reminded the people of God that “the greatest gift offered at the foot of the altar of God is ourselves, freely offered for the cause of reconciliation and peace.”

Archbishop Bettencourt urged them to embrace mercy and authentic worship, echoing Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi te, which highlights the transformative power of works of mercy.

“Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV's exhortation, encourages us to authentic worship that is transformative in the image of Christ and his mercy,” the member of the Clergy of Canada’s Ottawa-Cornwall Catholic Archdiocese said.

He implored, “May the expiatory spirit of the faithful of Bamenda, our dedication of this temple, be a time of reconciliation and peace for all.”

In his speech during the event, the Local Ordinary of Bamenda described the solemn rededication of St. Joseph Cathedral as a profound celebration of unity, hope, and shared faith among the people of God in the Archdiocese.

Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya said the Cathedral stands as “a symbol of our unity,” built by the people of Bamenda themselves without external funding.

“Every Christian in this Archdiocese is represented in one of the stones used to build this Cathedral,” Archbishop Nkea said.

For him, the Cathedral is a symbol of hope for a people who have endured years of conflict due to the Anglophone crisis.

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“In war, the people of Bamenda decided to put up this magnificent structure as a sign of their hope. Our hope can never deceive us,” the Local ordinary of Bamenda, who doubles as President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC) said.

The renovated St. Joseph Cathedral sits on a surface area of 3,200 square metres, with dimensions measuring 48 metres in width and 68 metres in length.

A new roof was installed above the original structure, constructed in 1975, supported by 26 massive beams, each weighing 40 tonnes.

The Cathedral is accessed through a main tower that rises 16 metres and is flanked by valley structures, clearly identifying it as St. Joseph’s Cathedral. Inside, the worship space accommodates about 4,000 faithful.

Approximately 80 percent of the construction materials were sourced locally, including granite that stretches from the nave to the aisles.

A special cladding was also applied to the parapet wall to enhance durability and aesthetics. Renovation began in February 2024 and required an average of 74 workers each day to meet the November 2025 completion deadline.

Reflecting on the renovations, Archbishop Nkea highlighted the redesigned main door—dedicated to Mary and St. Joseph, with bronze panels depicting their histories—as well as the symbols of all Holy Years from 1900 to 2025 engraved on the interior.

On the rooftop, statues of Jesus the Redeemer, St. Joseph, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all Twelve Apostles encircle the Cathedral, offering what Archbishop Nkea called a permanent blessing over Bamenda.

“Our Church is built on the foundation of the Twelve Apostles, and Jesus Christ is the cornerstone,” he said.

Within the Cathedral complex, Archbishop Nkea noted the restored burial chapel for Bishops—including the tomb of his predecessors – and the graves of Priests and Religious outside.

Renovating these, he said, was essential. “We could not renovate the church without renovating the graves” as a sign of the Church’s communion with the pilgrim, suffering, and triumphant Church, he said.

Archbishop Nkea appealed for prayers for peace in Cameroon and the growth of the Church, and implored, “May God bless all of you.”