Government Official in Cameroon Thanks Catholic Bishops Praying for Country’s Embattled Regions

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 the Cameroonian region as have enforced moratoriums on public life known as "ghost towns".

In his January 7 address, Governor Okalia commended the Catholic Church for its courage in reopening schools and encouraging parents to send children back to class despite fears of violence.

“Religious leaders through their prayers and various actions, courageously decided to overcome fear and enable the reopening of denominational schools, as well as sensitizing parents to send back their children to school,” he said.

The Governor continued, “I would like to salute and recognize the positive role played by religious authorities, most especially the Roman Catholic Church, in seeking and promoting this return to peace.”

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Government Official in Cameroon Thanks Catholic Bishops Praying for Country’s Embattled Regions

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Governor Okalia lauded Bishop Michael Miabesue Bibi of Cameroon’s Catholic Diocese of Buea for overseeing the construction of significant infrastructures, including the Divine Mercy Co-Cathedral and Pastoral Center, which now host the Bishops’ meetings. 

“Your Excellencies, these modern facilities are a source of pride for the Diocese of Buea and the city,” he said.

The Governor further recognized Bishop Bibi’s efforts to foster national integration and multiculturalism, particularly by establishing two parishes for Francophone Catholics in Limbe and Buea. “None of these achievements would have been possible in an atmosphere of violence,” Governor Okalia said.

Cameroon’s Catholic Bishops have convened in the Catholic Diocese of Buea to explore ways of putting into practice the deliberations of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, the Synod on Synodality, which Pope Francis officially inaugurated in 2021.

The ongoing 48th Annual Seminar of the NECC members is organized under the theme, “Living Synodality in our Local Church”.

In his address during the event, Bishop Bibi underscored the importance of communion, participation, and mission, urging the NECC members to reflect on how the Church in Cameroon can ensure the active involvement of all the faithful in its life and mission.

“The visit of the Bishops of Cameroon to Buea is already a practical sign of synodality which promotes communion, love and unity in diversity,” he said.

The Local Ordinary of Buea continued, “It confirms the full collaboration of the Bishops and the Church in Cameroon not tacked as English or French but understood as one family of God. A church is seen as a communion of different parts of a whole that form the mystical body of Christ.”

“It is my prayer and wish that the Bishops will continue to pray that peace may return to the Northwest and the Southwest regions of our country that all of us will endeavor to practice justice in the various areas in which we find ourselves and that we should do everything in our powers to make sure that we live like members of one family,” Bishop Bibi said.

On his part, the Mayor of Buea Municipality, David Mafani Namange urged the Bishops to continue praying for peace in the region, specifically for the youth who may be misguided.

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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.