Vatican Official Says 10-year-old Holy See – Cameroon Framework Agreement “already bearing fruit”

In his November 15 press conference, Archbishop Gallagher looked back at the processes leading to the Framework Agreement with appreciation, saying, “It was worth negotiating, it was worth signing, and it is already bearing fruit. It gives encouragement to both sides and fosters an understanding of our mutual responsibilities.”

The five-day visit of the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations to Cameroon set to conclude on Monday, November 18 has had a series of activities, including Holy Mass at Mary Queen of the Apostles Minor Basilica Mvolyé in Yaoundé on November 16 and an audience with Cameroon’s President, Paul Biya on November 18, among others. 

Archbishop Gallagher is set to conclude his visit to the Central African nation with a lecture at the Catholic University of Central Africa (UCAC) in Yaoundé on the theme, “Vatican diplomacy and the Framework Agreement.”

At UCAC, the Vatican official is to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate.

Archbishop Gallagher’s reflections on Cameroon echo sentiments he shared during his three-day visit to South Sudan in 2021. 

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During that trip, he expressed hope for Africa’s future amid challenges such as insecurity, poverty, and natural disasters like flooding and drought.

“I am a great believer in Africa. I am optimistic about Africa. I understand the many problems and challenges, but I think, in the end, there is an energy and an optimism. There is talent here which will take the people of Africa forward, including the people of South Sudan,” Archbishop Gallagher said during his December 2021 visit to Juba, South Sudan’s capital city.

He described South Sudan as “a country of great faith, with a great Christian tradition.”

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.