Claretians Engage Apostolic Nuncio on 175 Years of Serving the Poor, Marginalized in Cameroon

Recalling the August 8 visit, Fr. Langeh expressed gratitude for the warm reception extended by the Nuncio, likening their visit to “traveling across seas and oceans to the Holy See of Vatican.”

He emphasized that this meeting was a “testament to the Holy See’s unwavering support and guidance for their congregation and the Church in Cameroon.”

“This visit showed the strong ties between the Claretian Missionaries and the broader Church in Cameroon, as they continue their mission to serve and uplift the communities they work in, guided by the principles of faith and ecclesiastical collaboration,” the CMF Major Superior in Cameroon told ACI Africa.

Fr. Langeh went on to provide an overview of the Claretian Mission in Cameroon, tracing its roots back to 1970 when missionaries from Canada and the USA first arrived in the country. 

Over the decades, he said, the Claretians have become a “vital part of the Church in Cameroon, working tirelessly in parish ministry, biblical pastoral ministry, youth ministry, social welfare, and education.”

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“Their commitment to serving the marginalized and the poor in the most remote areas of the country has been particularly noteworthy,” Fr. Langeh said.

Claretians continue to serve challenging environments, he said and added, “We are privileged to be missionaries in places where people live in subhuman conditions.”

He also highlighted the congregation's resilience, even in the face of kidnappings and other dangers, inspired by Pope Francis' call to serve those on the peripheries.

Fr. Langeh shared detailed statistics on the Claretian presence in Cameroon, noting the congregation's involvement in ten Dioceses, where they administer 20 parishes and maintain 18 communities. 

The Claretians also operate five schools across the country and are engaged in various initiatives aimed at promoting social justice, including the Claret Vida project, which provides free water to communities in need.

“Education has been a significant focus for the Claretians, particularly since the 2019 kidnapping of several members of the congregation,” the CMF member said in reference to the abduction of some members in Cameroon’s troubled Anglophone regions.

In response to this crisis, he said, “The Claretians launched initiatives to promote peace and education, taking over schools in conflict-affected areas like Bamenda and committing to providing quality education to the youth.”

Despite the challenges, Fr. Langeh expressed optimism about the future of the Claretian mission in Cameroon.

He acknowledged the difficulties posed by poverty, conflict, and natural disasters but emphasized the congregation's determination to continue their work with the support of the Church and the cooperation of the government and civil society.

“Our mission remains steadfast: to follow the example of our founder, Saint Anthony Mary Claret, in bringing the Good News to the poor and excluded,” the Catholic Priest said..

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He reiterated the congregation's commitment to building a just, equitable, and Christ-centered society in Cameroon.

Fr. Langeh expressed gratitude to the Apostolic Nuncio for his “dedication to the Church in Cameroon and his commitment to fostering unity within the Church.”

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.