Celebrating 2025 Jubilee Year Calls for “new policy of sharing, solidarity”: Catholic Archbishop in Cameroon

Archbishop Kleda decried disparity in the distribution of Cameroon’s wealth and attributed the vice to systemic corruption and self-serving practices.

“We receive a lot of wealth from nature. All this is at our total disposal, at the disposal of each one of us. It is unacceptable that the wealth of our country, which is destined for all, is only in the hands of a few people,” the 66-year-old Catholic Archbishop, who started his Episcopal Ministry in February 2001 as Bishop of Cameroon’s Batouri Diocese lamented.

According to him, corruption as the “greatest evil” plaguing Cameroonian society; it affects every sector of life, from public service to private companies. 

“What is abnormal has become normal. No one fulfills their duty without claiming a glass of wine. A project is never executed normally – everyone must have their share. We all know how the phenomenon of corruption slows down the economic development of our country,” the Catholic Church leader lamented.

He said that “eliminating corruption in our country is the greatest fight to be fought during this Jubilee Year. This phenomenon is not invincible. It would be necessary for each of us to have an attitude of change of mentality so as not to steal, exploit, cheat. We must give back what we stole.”

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“The goods of creation must flow equally between the hands of all according to the rule of justice, inseparable from charity,” Archbishop Kleda emphasized.

The 2025 Jubilee Year, he went on to say, “means establishing a year of justice and peace for all, a year during which we allow everyone to enjoy their rights.”

“This is the Jubilee Year 2025, where everyone must enter into possession of his goods,” he said, and added, “The Jubilee Year is given to all of us, to our countries to be able to control our economy. In this Jubilee Year, each of you will reintegrate his property.”

The Local Ordinary of Douala Archdiocese also faulted Cameroon’s reliance on imported goods despite its rich resources. “Why do we import rice when our soil can produce enough to feed us and our neighbors?” he posed, adding, “This is a scandal.”

Archbishop Kleda called for a renewed focus on domestic production, industrialization, and job creation. “We must invest to create wealth and jobs for so many people who have none. This is the starting point for restarting our economy,” he said.

In his January 1 homily, Archbishop Kleda also advocated for financial sovereignty, emphasizing the need for African nations to control their currencies and reduce economic dependence.

The 2025 Jubilee Year, he said, must also be a time of reconciliation and peace-building, particularly in the conflict-affected regions of the Northwest and Southwest. 

“May an adequate response be found to the different claims,” he said, and urged Cameroonians to “live like brothers in peace.”

“During this Jubilee Year, our duty is to animate the new world that our Lord has created by making justice flourish, peace, solidarity, and love,” Archbishop Kleda said, and implored, “May each of us commit to building peace by turning to God, our Father.”

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.