Catholic Bishops of Cameroon convened recently in Yaoundé to welcome the new Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon, Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt; a Portuguese-Canadian Bishop of the Catholic Church who serves in the diplomatic service of the Holy See. Arriving Yaoundé on November 2nd 2023 the prelate was welcomed by the President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC), Archbishop Andrew Nkea- Archbishop of Bamenda; the Vice President of NECC; Bishop Philippe Alain Mbarga, the archbishop of Yaoundé; Bishop Juan Domingo, Bishop of Ebolowa; Archbishop Jean Mbarga, Beká, Bishop of the Diocese of Mongomo in Equatorial Guinea and president of the Episcopal Conference of Equatorial Guinea; Rev. Fr. Vincenzo Marinelli, Chargé d’affaires, Apostolic Nunciature in Cameroon, and a host of religious and lay faithful.
Bishops welcome New Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon
On the 30th of August 2023, Pope Francis appointed Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt as nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt served for 5 years as apostolic before his appointment to Cameroon, he has served the roman catholic church in different capacities: On the 26 of February 2018, Pope Francis gave Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt the title of apostolic nuncio and appointed him Titular Archbishop of Aemona. He was named nuncio to Armenia on 1 March, 2018 and to Georgia as well on the 8th of March, 2018. He received his episcopal ordination from Pope Francis on the 19th of March. Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt served for 5 years as apostolic nuncio in Georgia and Armenia.
Bishops welcome New Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon
It is important to note that an Apostolic Nuncio is the personal representative of the Pope in a particular part of the Church and a particular country. The Nuncio has as main functions to relate within the church and to relate with States Relations within the Church. The ecclesial role of an Apostolic Nuncio is to make firm and effective the bonds of unity which exist between the Pope and the Church throughout the world. The Nuncio also informs the Apostolic See about the conditions in which the particular Churches find themselves and matters which affect the life of the Church and the good of souls.
Bishops welcome New Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon
