Funeral rites for the late Emeritus Bishop Teke Lysinge, pioneer Bishop of the Diocese of Mamfe, began today, August 12, 2026, with a solemn Eucharistic celebration of his life, faith and dedicated service to God and His people.
The Eucharistic celebration opened with special words of welcome and consolation to Bishop Lysinge’s biological family, relatives, friends and all the faithful mourning his passing. The Bishop of Mamfe said the death of the pioneer Bishop provides an opportunity not only to mourn, but also to celebrate the life of a man who, beyond doubt, deserved to be called a true man of God a shepherd whose ministry touched the hearts of Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
Bishop of mamfe His Lordship Aloysius during Homily
In his homily, Bishop Aloysius Abong’alo, Bishop of Mamfe, thanked God for the strong faith of the Diocese’s pioneer Bishop and for his unwavering dedication to the work of God.
Reflecting on Bishop Lysinge’s life and vocation, Bishop Abong’alo described him as a man who remained close to Christ and was ready to lay down his life for his sheep. Appointed Bishop at the age of 50, Bishop Lysinge accepted the call to lead the newly created Diocese of Mamfe, which began with only six parishes and enormous challenges.
Cross section of Christians during Funeral Mass
“One needs only to take a careful look at his biography to realize the grace of God in his life,” Bishop Abong’alo said. It was by God’s grace, he noted, that the young Francis Lysinge, born into a Protestant family, embraced the Catholic faith and went on to become a priest. He would later dedicate his life to bringing the Gospel to Catholics and non-Catholics alike as both priest and Bishop.
Bishop Abong’alo recalled that Bishop Lysinge gave himself completely to building the young Diocese of Mamfe and making it beautiful in the eyes of God. Quoting John 15:13, he said: “Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Throughout his ministry, Bishop Abong’alo added, Emeritus Bishop Lysinge sought to extend to others the love he had received from God. Even while serving as Spiritual Director in Bambui, he was known for welcoming people who came to him in need and generously offering them both spiritual and material assistance.
Cross section of Christians
Bishop Abong’alo reminded the faithful that, ultimately, the only things that remain when we die are our relationship with God and our relationship with one another. Everything else passes away. He therefore challenged Christians to reflect on how much they are willing to give in love and service to others during their earthly pilgrimage.
He expressed confidence that when Bishop Teke Lysinge stands before God to give an account of his life and ministry, he will hear the words of Christ from Matthew 25:35–36:
«“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was ill and you cared for me, I was in prison and you visited me.”»
Bishop Lysinge, Bishop Abong’alo concluded, was not only a man who demonstrated genuine love, but also a man of deep faith whose life remains a testimony to the power of God’s grace and the fruitfulness of a life completely offered in service to God and humanity.
