Advertisement

“Embrace the cross of Jesus Christ with love”: Apostolic Nuncio to Newly Ordained Claretians in Cameroon

Credit: ACI Africa

By Jude Atemanke

Yaounde, 18 August, 2024 / 9:10 pm (ACI Africa).

The representative of the Holy Father in Cameroon has encouraged the three members of the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CMF/Claretians) who he ordained to embrace the cross of Jesus Christ with love, a calling that he said lies at the heart of the Claretian mission.

In his homily during the priestly ordination of Deacons Norbert Doulanni, Wilson Tim Ankiambom, and Albert Pascal Noah, Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt reminded the three that their vocation as sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary involves a deep dedication to spreading the flames of Christ's love throughout the world. 

Credit: ACI Africa

“This passion for Christ and Mary is to be your driving force in life. You are called to embrace the cross of Jesus Christ with love, to follow Him closely, and to preach the salvation of Jesus to all humanity,” Archbishop Bettencourt said during the August 9 Eucharistic celebration that was held at St. Charles Lwanga Nkolbisson Parish of the Catholic Archdiocese of Yaoundé.

The Portuguese Vatican diplomat, who also represents the Holy Father in Equatorial Guinea highlighted the high standards expected of the Priests-elect, noting that their mission requires them to be both “rooted in Christ and audacious in their service.”

Advertisement

Credit: ACI Africa

He encouraged them to remain in close communion with Christ through prayer, liturgical celebrations, devotions, and a life fully dedicated to Him.

Archbishop Bettencourt invited those he was about to ordain to live an extraordinary life of service, echoing the eternal and unchanging doctrine of the Church. 

Credit: ACI Africa

“Remember, the doctrine of the Church remains unchanged, as Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. You are called to be perseverant, faithful, and generous in your service,” the Apostolic Nuncio in Cameroon said.

More in Africa

Kenya

Day after Bishops’ Fiery Statement, President of Kenya Says University Funding Model Issues “will soon be resolved”

Read the article

He reassured the Deacons not to be afraid  despite the challenges he said lay ahead of them.

Credit: ACI Africa

“We are aware of the many tribulations the Congregation has endured throughout its history,” the Archbishop said.

He continued, “We remember how your predecessors gave holy witness to Christ, persevering and enduring even to martyrdom.”

Credit: ACI Africa

Trending

Advertisement

“Do not be afraid, for the Lord is with us. He does not forsake us. The Scriptures remind us that His presence is the eternal voice of God,” the member of the Clergy of Canada’s Ottawa-Cornwall Archdiocese said. 

The Archbishop congratulated the families and communities who nurtured the vocations of the three Deacons, expressing gratitude for their role in their spiritual formation.

Credit: ACI Africa

Archbishop Bettencourt implored, “May the Priests and Deacons renew their commitment to the Church and Christ, and may the faithful baptized commit to supporting the ministry of the ordained. May the Claretian Congregation continue to be a flame of testimony and love in the world.”

Credit: ACI Africa

(Story continues below)

Also speaking during the August 10 Eucharistic celebration, the Major Superior of Claretians in Cameroon, Fr. Jude Thaddeus Langeh expressed profound gratitude to the Nuncio for his support and recognition of their missionary work.

Credit: ACI Africa

Fr. Langeh said the ordination of the three Priests was a significant milestone for the Claretian community in Cameroon. 

He congratulated the newly ordained Priests, emphasizing that such celebrations are not just occasions for giving thanks but also moments to reflect on the journey so far and to plan for the future.

Credit: ACI Africa

"A celebration like this is not only an opportunity to give thanks, but it also offers us the chance to reflect, with a view to re-examining our direction, so as to clearly chart the path that should be followed and to make resolutions for the future," he said.

Credit: ACI Africa

Fr. Langeh implored, "May the Lord, to whom this work belongs, give us the grace and strength to hold the banner of the Gospel high, in His name and for His name." 

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.

You may also like

The Vatican and Microsoft have created a 3D digital model of St. Peter’s Basilica using the latest in artificial intelligence to offer a new way to experience the nearly 2,000-year history of the tomb of St. Peter. / Credit: Microsoft La Basilica Di San Pietro: AI-Enhanced Experience

Discover the History of St. Peter’s Basilica in New Microsoft Oline AI-enhanced 3D Model

Accessible worldwide at virtual.basilicasanpietro.va, the free interactive platform allows anyone in the world to “visit” the virtual 3D model of...

An external view of the Chapel of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem during the procession of the Franciscan friars after the first vespers of the Ascension solemnity on May 8, 2024. The procession circled the chapel three times. / Credit: Marinella Bandini

Catholics Ascend to Mount Olives, Site of Jesus’ Ascension, Only Day They Can Use Chapel Currently Under Muslim Control

“I’m excited to have come to pray in the actual place of the Ascension... I want to be closer to...

Pope Francis arriving at the meeting with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons, seminarians and catechists in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Dili, East Timor, Sept. 10, 2024. / Vatican Media

Catholics in East Timor Welcome Pope Francis to their Island "oasis" of Religious Vocations

Speaking in Dili's cathedral, Pope Francis challenged East Timor's Catholic leaders to renew evangelization efforts, declaring that the nation's position...