Yaoundé, November 18th, 2025 — A one-day national workshop dedicated to developing a comprehensive policy for managing Catholic media communication during ecclesiastical took place at the headquarters of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC).
The session was presided over by His Lordship Michael Miabesue Bibi, Bishop of Buea and President of the Episcopal Commission for Social Communication at the NECC. The gathering brings together media professionals, diocesan communication directors, and key stakeholders from across the country to strengthen guidelines for effective, responsible, and mission-driven communication within the Church.
Participants during the One day Workshop brainstorming
In his opening address, Bishop Bibi called on participants to approach the task with dedication, stressing that “ecclesiastical events are fundamentally different from regular events and therefore require communication that is accurate, reverent, and aligned with the Church’s mission.” He commended the commitment of communication experts from the various dioceses, noting that their contributions are vital in crafting a robust policy grounded in the teachings and values of the Catholic Church.
Bishop Bibi also paid tribute to those who have previously served in the Communication Office, particularly his immediate predecessor, His Lordship Sosthène Léopold Bayemi Matjei, Bishop of Obala. He informed the assembly that once finalized, the proposed policy document will be presented to the Bishops’ Conference for review and approval, a move that will significantly strengthen communication standards and practices across the Church in Cameroon.
Mme Fomucha Mirabelle Presents Roadmap for Policy Implementation
A key highlight of the workshop was a 40-minute presentation by Mme Fomucha Mirabelle, Director of Communication for the Diocese of Buea. Speaking on the “Methodology and Implications of the Media Management Policy for Catholic Communication Professionals during Ecclesial Events,” she provided an in-depth and practical roadmap for operationalizing the proposed policy.
Madame Fomucha Mirabelle during her presentation as keynote speaker
Mme Fomucha underscored the importance of the document, emphasizing that it will play a critical role in promoting best practices, ensuring responsible use of media, and enhancing evangelization through clear, effective, and mission-oriented communication.
Her presentation covered a wide range of essential themes, including:
- Responsible management of social media platforms
- Crisis communication and mitigation mechanisms
- The Church’s teachings on social communication
- Ethical principles guiding media work
- Other key components relevant to contemporary Catholic communication
Her insights offered participants a comprehensive understanding of both the methodological foundations of the policy and its practical implications for communication teams across the nation.
Collaborative Effort Toward a Unified National Policy
. Through open and frank exchanges, participants shared experiences, challenges, and proposals aimed at enhancing the Church’s communication landscape.
At the end of the deliberations, the experts jointly adopted the draft policy document, which will be formally presented to the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon by Bishop Bibi for consideration and possible adoption.
