On September 9th, 2026, Bishop Michael Bibi, the chief shepherd of the Diocese of Buea, led a thought-provoking catechetical session at Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, Buea Town. The session, titled “Does Grace Alone Suffice in Our Living?”, delved into the profound topic of God’s grace and its role in human life. As Christians gathered to deepen their understanding, the prelate explored how God’s grace operates amidst human moral choices, shedding light on the intricate relationship between divine favor and human decision-making .
Bishop Michael Bibi during catechetical session
Bishop Michael Bibi emphasized the fact that all we do is by the grace of God, and God’s grace is evident in the lives of both Christians and non-Christians. Quoting from Saint Paul in ( Phil 2:12) he noted that despite the presence of abundant grace, Christians are to fight for their salvation with fear and trembling.
Christians attention catechetical session
The chief shepherd explained that at baptism, Christians receive sanctifying grace, which marks the beginning of their journey with God. He also highlighted that all the other sacraments come with their own unique graces, citing the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2003), which states that sacramental graces help us live out the demands of each sacrament.
Bishop Bibi stressed that while grace is undeserved and God’s love makes it abundantly present, it doesn’t suffice for salvation on its own. Rather, Christians have a huge role to play in their salvation, actively participating in their journey towards eternal life.
The bishop’s message underscored the importance of balancing God’s grace with personal effort, emphasizing that salvation is a collaborative process between divine favor and human response.