Bamenda, August 17, 2025 – The 78th Ordinary Meeting of the Bamenda Provincial Episcopal Conference (BAPEC) opened today in Bamenda with a solemn Mass at St. Thérèse Parish, Azire. The celebration brought together the Archbishop of Bamenda and all the Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province.
The Mass was presided over by the Bishop of Mamfe, His Lordship Aloysius Fondong Abangalo. In his homily, Bishop Fondong reminded the faithful that one of the principal goals of their gathering is to promote common pastoral action among neighboring dioceses. He emphasized that no diocese should consider itself exempt from the wider ecclesiastical structure, stressing that such meetings strengthen collaboration and communion among bishops.
Cross section of Christians at Azire
He further explained that the Episcopal Conference plays an essential role in promoting priestly vocations, translating liturgical books, fostering Catholic education, maintaining constructive relations with civil authorities, promoting social justice, and advancing the use of social communication tools. He also recalled the recent celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Pastoral Plan in July in Buea, noting that it was one of the fruits of the conference’s work.
CWA women during Mass
The Bishop urged the faithful to pray for the success of the deliberations. Drawing inspiration from the day’s readings, he called on Christians to resist the works of the devil and societal ills such as corruption, greed, and selfishness. Quoting from 1 John 3:8, he reminded them that “Jesus came to undo the works of the devil.”
Bishop of Mamfe
“The peace of Jesus is a peace that flows from the heart, unlike the peace of the world which comes from the head,” he said. True peace, he added, is found in communion with one’s neighbors and oneself. He invited Christians to embrace the fire of love and truth, which enables them to first recognize their own faults before pointing out those of others.
In a brief address, Archbishop Andrew Nkea of Bamenda thanked the parish priest of St. Thérèse and the Christian community for the warm welcome given to the Bishops. He encouraged them to continue supporting their shepherds in prayer.
Archbishop Andrew Nkea during his speech
The meeting will continue with deliberations among the Bishops of the province on matters of pastoral concern.
