Thursday December 26, 2024, Feast of St. Stephen, the Local Ordinary of the Diocese of Buea in his annual traditional visit to inmates of the Buea Central Prison, celebrated the Sacrifice of the Mass with prisoners, offered them gifts and communed with inmates in dance and praise as they commemorated the Birth of Christ.
Bishop and Christians, Visit Buea Central Prison
This Christmas visit was one of encouragement to the inmates who were exalted to see their present condition as temporal and as a measure of transforming their lives. Bishop Michael Bibi in his homily, challenged inmates to make decisions that would help them to become better persons in the society.
Bishop Bibi encourages inmates to be better
He encouraged them to love not only those who are good to them but even those they consider to be their enemies.
superintendent, Buea Central Prison; Mr. Mikondo Simon-Pierre
Speaking at the event, the superintendent of the Buea Central Prison; Mikondo Simon-Pierre saluted the enormous contributions of Bishop Michael Bibi towards the wellbeing of the prisoners. He recognized his efforts of promoting the education of inmates by registering them for GCE and sponsoring others at the Catholic University Institute of Buea.
Blessing of ongoing water project
He further praised the Local Ordinary for the ongoing water supply project to ameliorate the deteriorating hygienic condition of the Buea Central prison.
Throughout the past four years, the Bishop of Buea has stationed priests of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Buea Town to help prisoners in their spiritual growth and to prepare them for the different Sacraments as the need may be. During the celebration of Mass, two inmates received the sacrament of Confirmation.
Confirmation of inmates
More so, the Diocese over the years have been working closely with the Buea Central Prison, providing assistance to inmates through its different services carried out by CARITAS and Justice and Peace for the wellbeing of prisoners.
Gifts offered to inmates
In gratitude to the Local Ordinary Michael Bibi, inmates offered a gift to His Lordship, signifying the means of transportation by the early missionaries who visited Cameroon, as a memoir to the Diocese which celebrates its 75th anniversary in May 2025.
Inmates offer gift to the Bishop
Present at this annual event which also witnessed other social activities like dancing and drama, were members of the Catholic Women Association CWA, CMA, CARITAS, Block Rosary, St. Vincent De Poor, and other Christians of the Diocese of Buea .
