“By virtue of baptism, we become members of Christ faithful. The Christ faithful is made up of the clerics, lay faithful and the Religious’’. This was the focus of the catechetical session with the chief custodian of the Diocese; Bishop Michael Bibi on Monday the 12th of February 2024 which held at the Limbe deanery specifically at St Patrick Parish in Ngeme , Limbe on the theme “the People of God, The Christian Faithful”.
catechetical session at St. Patrick Ngeme
Educating the Christian community. the prelate brought to light the changing dynamics of the church which before, operated as a pyramidal structure having the pope, bishops and other religious authorities at the top while the Christians operated merely from the bottom, with a passive or zero participatory role in the church. However this structure has been revised to a circular form stressing the aspect of working together in communion as a synodal church, taking into account the active participation of lay faithful in the life of the church.
Bishop Bibi teaches Christians.
As members of Christ faithful or the people of God, Bishop Bibi highlighted that these members share in the three fold function of Christ which are the priestly, kingly and prophetic functions of Christ.
Christians in attendance
The Christians were further educated on the obligations and rights of Christ faithful stating that they possess equal dignity with the obligation to be Holy and to proclaim the Gospel message. As people of God, they equally have the obligation to exercise obedience to the church which is the mother and teacher. They were told that they have the right as Christ faithful to make their spiritual needs known to the pastors or priests entrusted to cater for their spiritual needs and to also share their opinions for the growth of the church.
Christians in attendance
Further talking on responsibilities, the chief shepherd also stressed the fact that parents have the duty to bring up their children in Christianity and that members of Christ faithful must by no means, spoil the good reputation of other people.
St. Patrich Parish Ngeme
After his teachings, the Christian population had the opportunity to ask questions to Bishop Bibi who took time to address their questions, providing them with answers according to the teachings of the church.
