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At 2025 Diocesan Lenten Pilgrimage, Catholic Bishop in Cameroon Emphasizes Conversion, Turning to God for Forgiveness

Jude Atemanke

By Jude Atemanke

Buea, 07 April, 2025 / 9:50 pm (ACI Africa).

Bishop Michael Miabesue Bibi of the Catholic Diocese of Buea has urged the people of God under his pastoral care to examine their relationship with God and with one another, acknowledge their respective limitations, and seek God’s mercy and forgiveness, and reconciliation with their brothers and sisters. 

In his homily during the 2025 Diocesan Lenten Pilgrimage in his Episcopal See, Bishop Bibi described the Lenten Season as “a 40-day journey of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, accompanying Jesus Christ in his suffering and death, and preparing hearts for the glorious celebration of the Resurrection.”

“Seek conversion and turn to God so that your sins are forgiven,” the Cameroonian Catholic Bishop said during the April 5 Eucharistic celebration that was held at Our Lady Queen of Angels Bonjongo Parish of Buea Diocese.

He added, “This pilgrimage gives us the opportunity to reconcile with God, to reconcile with each other. It also gives us the opportunity to increase our faith in God and to grow in our spiritual life.” 

For him, “Our conversion must lead us to forgiveness and reconciliation with God and with each other.”

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He said that the Lenten Season is a privileged time to reflect on how we have lived “contrary to God's will and to ask for forgiveness” and went on to challenge the people of God to confront their “personal sinfulness, recognize their moments of unworthiness, and seek God's mercy.”

The Cameroonian Catholic Bishop, who has been at the helm of Buea Diocese since December 2019, first as Apostolic Administrator, and since February 2021 as the Local Ordinary, underscored the missionary dimension of forgiveness.

“Let yourselves be reconciled with God. He forgives us and sends us on a mission to be messengers of his love,” he said, and appealed, “We must offer our forgiveness to those who offend us.”

Referring to the biblical figure of Levi, Bishop Bibi reminded pilgrims that God does not define people by their past, but by their potential to grow in holiness. He said, “God does not choose the saint, but he chooses sinners to give them the possibility of becoming saints.”

He went on to reassure the pilgrims that God's love and calling extend to all, and that He waits for each person's daily “yes” to His grace.

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The Local Ordinary of Buea Diocese encouraged the people of God under his pastoral care to make the most of the 2025 pilgrimage, “not just as a physical journey, but as a spiritual ascent.”

The annual Diocesan Lenten pilgrimage, Bishop Bibi reiterated, is a “unique opportunity to deepen faith, grow in holiness, and renew commitment to God and one another.”

Jude Atemanke

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.

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