Bishop of Buea Visits Christians of St. Francis Parish Mutengene
Today, July 20th, the Christians of St. Francis Parish, Mutengene, joyfully welcomed the Chief Shepherd of the Diocese, Bishop Michael Bibi, as he made a pastoral visit to their parish.
In a Mass presided over by Bishop Bibi, the Bishop expressed his immense joy at witnessing the remarkable growth of the parish over the years.
In his welcome address, the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Elvis Kum, expressed his profound gratitude to the Bishop for blessing the celebration with his presence. He emphasized that a pastoral visit by the Bishop is not merely ceremonial, but rather a spiritual opportunity to renew minds and hearts in the pursuit of divine guidance.
Quoting Saint Ignatius of Loyola — “Wherever the Bishop is, there the Church is” — Fr. Kum noted that the Bishop’s presence marked a significant milestone in the life and development of the parish.
Fr. Elvis Kum also acknowledged the foundational contributions of parishioners, whose selfless sacrifices have made possible many of the parish’s projects and ongoing construction efforts.
In his homily, Bishop Bibi commended the parish priest and Christians for their tireless commitment to building a physical and spiritual structure worthy of celebrating the Holy Mass and other sacraments. He prayed that their efforts be replenished a hundredfold.
The Bishop’s message echoed Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 25:35–36, stressing the importance of charity and compassion. He urged Christians to continue their good works—serving the hungry, the thirsty, and those in need—as a central pillar of their faith.
The Mass also featured the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, during which the Holy Spirit was conferred upon candidates. This sacrament empowers them to be living witnesses of Christ, spreading His love and teachings in their daily lives. The Bishop also invoked the intercession of Saint Francis, asking for his protection and spiritual guidance over the newly confirmed.
Speaking on behalf of the parish, the Parish Pastoral Council Chairperson, Barrister Tamunkong Valentine, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Bishop for his enduring support to the parish from its inception to the present. He also thanked the Bishop for appointing a curate to the parish and acknowledged the parish’s ongoing financial challenges, particularly in completing construction works. On behalf of the community, he appealed to the Bishop for financial assistance to help bring parish projects to fruition.
On his part, the Dean of Mutengene, Fr. Michael, warmly welcomed the Bishop and thanked him for elevating Mutengene to a deanery, a recognition of its growing importance in the Diocese.
