Apostolic Nuncio Hails Communion and Peace as Pillars of Church’s Mission in Cameroon

On the theme of the seminar, “communion and collegiality”, the Archbishop spoke personally of shared joys and sorrows with the Bishops. 

“We have prayed together in times of sadness… and we have also prayed together in times of joy and celebration. Communion and collegiality are at the heart of our vocation and our mission in Jesus Christ,” the Apostolic Nuncio in Cameroon, since his appointment in August 2023, said.

On the social realities of Cameroon, Archbishop Bettencourt underlined the Church’s closeness to those who suffer. 

“The faithful of Cameroon are thirsty for God. They seek God to find answers to their needs, to their questions and to their sufferings,” he said, and added, “Many people suffer. The Church is on the ground. The Church is present with them.”

The member of the Clergy of Canada’s Ottawa-Cornwall Catholic Archdiocese challenged Christians to reject violence and division, echoing Pope Leo XIV’s call to peace. 

“If you, as a Christian, if you as a Catholic do not accept renouncing violence, are you a Christian? God’s goodness is disarming,” he said.

The Nuncio recalled the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Cameroon, describing the anniversary as “a true sign of communion and collegiality in the evangelical mission.” 

In his speech during the event, NECC President, Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya, called on his peers to deepen communion and collegiality, describing them as essential to authentic Episcopal ministry and effective evangelization.

“Our gathering here in Kumba was to help us examine ways we are called to be authentic pastors of our respective dioceses, especially within the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, in the spirit of communion and collegiality,” Archbishop Nkea said.

The Archbishop of Cameroon’s Bamenda Catholic Archdiocese noted that the spirit of unity was evident throughout the January 3-10 seminar, from common prayer and liturgical celebrations to deliberations during working sessions.

“The spirit of communion and collegiality deeply permeated, inspired, and enriched every moment of this seminar,” Archbishop Nkea said.

The NECC President reminded Church leaders that their mission must be rooted in discernment rather than in personal or group interests.

“We are not here to promote agendas, personnel, or groups, but to entrust our projects and inspirations to a discernment that transcends us,” he said.

Acknowledging the social and pastoral challenges in Cameroon, Archbishop Nkea said Bishops may not always have immediate solutions but must remain united in service.

“We will not always be able to find immediate solutions to the problems we face. However, we can always help one another,” he said.

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Turning to the host Diocese, Archbishop Nkea expressed gratitude to Bishop Agapitus Enuyehnyoh Nfon, Clergy, Religious, and lay faithful of Kumba for their hospitality, describing the experience as spiritually enriching.

“It was good to be here in this hospitable town. What you offered us was something of the Mount Tabor experience,” he said, adding, “Kumba people, we owe you.”

He praised the Diocese of Kumba for its growth since its creation in 2016 amid the Anglophone crisis, describing it as a model of resilience and pastoral dynamism.

“Kumba is a baby diocese that started to walk and run fast as soon as it was born,” Archbishop Nkea said.

He encouraged Bishops and faithful to remain hopeful amid uncertainty, entrusting the Church in Cameroon to God’s providence and peace.

“God is the master of time and history, and with God everything is possible,” Archbishop Nkea said.