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“Profound joy”: Catholic Diocese of Kumba in Cameroon Celebrates Release of Abducted Priest

Fr. Elvis Mai. Credit: Kumba Diocese

By Jude Atemanke

Kumba, 30 May, 2024 / 9:05 pm (ACI Africa).

The Catholic Diocese of Kumba has expressed “profound joy and thankfulness” after the release of Fr. Elvis Mai who was kidnapped on Tuesday, May 28.

Fr. Mai, Parish Priest of St. Martin de Porres Bekora Parish of Kumba Diocese was abducted on his way to Bafaka Mission Station.

In a statementy shared with ACI Africa Thursday, May 30, the Local Ordinary of Kumba Diocese, Bishop Agapitus Enuyehnyoh Nfon thanked the people of God for their prayers.

“It is with profound joy and thankfulness to God that I wish to inform you that news has just reached me that the Parish Priest of St. Martin de Porres Parish, Bekora, Fr. Elvis Mai has been released,” Bishop Nfon said in the statement dated May 29.

He said Fr. Mai “will be escorted to Bekora main Mission by the Christian Community of Bafaka.”

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“I wish to sincerely thank you all for the prayers you said for Father's release,” Bishop Nfon said, and added, “May the Lord reward you all for your solidarity.”

“We also thank God for touching the hearts of the abductors of father to release him safe and sound,” the Cameroonian Catholic Bishop said, and implored, “May the name of the Lord be praised! Now and for Ever! Amen!”

Cameroon’s English-speaking regions plunged into conflict in 2016 after a protest by lawyers and teachers turned violent. An armed movement of separatists claiming independence for the so-called republic of Ambazonia emerged following the government’s crackdown on protesters. 

School boycotts have become common in these areas, as have enforced moratoriums on public life known as "ghost towns".

Jude Atemanke

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.

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