Pope Francis Appoints Auxiliary Bishops in Tanzania, Cameroon as Local Ordinaries

Pope Francis also appointed Auxiliary Bishop Emmanuel Dassi Youfang, as the Local Ordinary of the diocese of Bafia located in the central region of Cameroon.

Until his appointment, he has been the Auxiliary Bishop in Bafoussam diocese in the Western region of Cameroon.

Speaking soon after the news of his appointment became public, Bishop Emmanuel described his new mission as a sign of love from the Lord saying, “I received this news first of all in thanksgiving because it is a sign of great love from the Lord to be associated with his mission. I welcome in thanksgiving and humility this mission that he has entrusted to me as Bishop of Bafia.”

He added, “I know this mission is challenging, but when the Lord calls, He also gives the grace to fulfill His mission. I entrust this mission to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Fatima because by divine providence, the Holy Father appointed me on this great day of the feast of Our Lady of Fatima.”

“My heart is already in Bafia and am ready for this challenge, for this mission that the Lord has entrusted to me with my brothers and sisters, the people of God of the diocese of Bafia,” the Bishop-elect said.

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Bishop Emmanuel is a Clergy of Bafoussam diocese where he was ordained to the priesthood in June 2001.

A member of the Emmanuel Community, the 52-year-old Prelate studied Fundamental Theology in Ecole Cathédrale-Faculté Notre-Dame in Paris, France.

He is expected to succeed the late Bishop Jean Marie Benoit Balla who was allegedly murdered on May 30, 2017.

Bishop Bala's body was discovered June 2, 2017 inside Sanaga River, in Ebebda, 78 km from Cameroon’s capital Yaoundé. He had been reported missing on May 31, 2017. His car was found on the bridge of the Sanaga River with his identity card on the back seat and a note saying "I'm in the water."

Since then, questions about the circumstances around Bishop Bala’s death have remained unanswered.

Bafia diocese was erected on July 6, 1965 as an Apostolic Prefecture, and elevated to the rank of a diocese on January 11, 1968.

The diocese, which is under the patronage of St. Sebastien, is part of Yaoundé Metropolitan See. It measures 34,615 square kilometers and has a 53 percent Catholic population, according to 2017 statistics.

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.