Diocese of Buea celebrates ordination of 5 new Deacons.
An overwhelming sense of pride and profound gratitude filled the Diocese of Buea on Saturday, 27 June 2026, as five seminarians were ordained into the Sacred Order of the Diaconate before a massive crowd at the Divine Mercy Co-Cathedral.
Bishop Bibi during eucharistic celebration
His Lordship Bishop Michael Bibi presided over the historic Pontifical Mass, officially elevating Jervis Asonglefac, Lawrence Esemu, Michael Kum Kang, Peter Fanboye, and Raphael Longa to the ranking of ordained ministers. The cathedral was filled to capacity with priests, religious, and thousands of the lay faithful who traveled from every corner of the region to witness this pivotal vocational milestone. Amid powerful prayers of thanksgiving and the celebration of proud families, the five newly ordained deacons have officially entered a lifelong covenant of service dedicated to God and the Church.
In his reflection, the Chief Shepherd of the Diocese of Buea, His Lordship Bishop Michael Bibi, reminded the newly ordained deacons that they were called to pursue holiness at all times. He urged them to nurture the seed of holiness sown in them at baptism by consistently living out the Beatitudes, and challenged them to embody sanctity even in a world that often failed to value it. Bishop Bibi stressed that their witness had to remain firm and visible.
Bishop Bibi during Homily
His Lordship noted that diaconal ministry could not be sustained by human strength alone, but largely by the abundant grace of God. He exhorted the deacons to continuously fan into flame the gift of their vocation, emphasizing that fidelity to their call required daily spiritual nourishment. The Prelate further defined diaconal ministry as a ministry of service to the Church and to the community, urging the deacons to embrace that identity as humble servants at all times. “Deacons are servants at all times,” he reiterated, framing humility as the defining mark of authentic diaconal life.
Bishop Bibi also reiterated the three pillars of diaconal ministry: the proclamation of the Gospel, assistance in the sacraments, and the practice of charity. While clarifying that deacons did not hear confessions or preside at Mass, he highlighted their sacramental faculties, which included assisting at the Eucharist, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and the formation of catechumens. He concluded by charging them to live faithfully into those responsibilities for the good of the Diocese of Buea.
