The Catholic Church in Cameroon has celebrated the 10th anniversary of the framework agreement between Cameroon and the Holy See. The Pontifical thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration officiated by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, took place at St. Mary Queen of Apostles Minor Basilica, Mvolye, Yaounde on Saturday, November16,2024.
Mass officiated by officiated by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher
The Church of Cameroon thanked God for over 50 years of diplomatic relationship with the state. The Christians also prayed for a more stable and beneficial collaboration in the years ahead.
At the event, the President of Cameroon H.E Paul Biya was represented by the Minister of External Relations Lejeune Mbella Mbella Mbella.
State officials present
His Grace Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, while presiding over the Pontifical thanksgiving Eucharistic Celebration, thanked God for these years of partnership with the state for the goal of fostering evangelization and prayed for a more fruitful relationship in the years ahead. He invited Christians to strengthen their connection with God and to put the human person at the center, promoting peace and justice for all and sharing freely with others, what they freely received.
a cross section of Bishops present
The Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea His Grace Archbishop Avelino Bettencourt was also present at the Eucharistic celebration. He expressed gratitude to God for these years of collaboration, stating that the services provided by the church are open to all without distinction, be it in the domain of health or education, among others.
Apostolic Nuncio
Speaking at this diplomatic event, Archbishop Andrew Nkea, President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, expressed sentiments of joy for the more than 50 years of diplomatic relationship with the State. He reassured faithful that the church will continue to serve the people of Cameroon in different facets not limited to health and education, for the greater achievement of the common good.
Archbishop Nkea, president, NECC
The general framework agreement between Cameroon and the Holy See was ratified on the 13th of January ,2014, recognizing the specificities of the church. This diplomacy is distinct because it is used by the Church, a religious organization that analyses the issues of life in society, to propose fundamental principles, to define judgment criteria and suggest concrete guidelines. Its main goals include respect for both individual and collective human rights, which are consistent with the spiritual, moral, and humanitarian
The Pontifical Mass was followed by a diplomatic cocktail at the Nunciature in Yaounde, marked by color and rhythm as officials of the state and the church exchanged pleasantries while looking forward to a better and more fulfilling working relationship.
cocktail at the Nunciature
On Monday November 18, the celebration will conclude with an Academic Discourse at the Université Catholique de l’Afrique Centrale on How the Catholic Church keep relationships with states in order to accomplish its mission.
