All the Bishops in Cameroon have called on Cameroonians not to lose hope amidst the rising hardship, corruption, and poor governance affecting the country.
The Bishops, who convened in Buea for their 48th annual seminar, concluded their activities today, January 11, 2025, with a closing Mass celebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, Archbishop Avelino Bettencourt.
Cross section of Christians during mass
During his homily at the Divine Mercy Co-Cathedral in Buea, the Nuncio began by thanking the President of the National Episcopal Conference, Archbishop Andrew Nkea, for inviting him to attend the event. He also expressed gratitude to the host Bishop, His Lordship Michael Bibi, for organizing a warm and hospitable gathering for his brother Bishops.
The Nuncio encouraged Christians to ensure that their actions contribute to increasing Christ’s presence in the world. He also used the opportunity to remind the faithful that His Holiness Pope Francis has declared 2025 as the Year of Hope, under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.”
Administrative authorities during Mass
He emphasized the power of hope for those who have faith and trust in others, noting that hope unites generations and strengthens communities. The Nuncio further reminded the congregation that the “Doors of Mercy” have been opened in all dioceses across the country, encouraging them to take full advantage of this opportunity for spiritual renewal.
“There is no need to knock; the door is already open,”* he affirmed.
On his part, the President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, Archbishop Andrew Nkea of Bamenda, thanked the host Bishop and the Christians of Buea for their warm hospitality. He also expressed gratitude to administrative and security officials for ensuring a safe and serene environment for the seminar.
A key highlight of the Eucharistic celebration was the reading of the final communiqué from the Bishops of Cameroon. In their message, the Bishops strongly condemned bad governance, corruption, and the embezzlement of state funds, which they said have significantly contributed to the suffering of the Cameroonian people.
The representatives of St. Peter called on state officials to judiciously manage public resources entrusted to them to better serve the citizens of Cameroon. They also urged these officials to uphold the constitution and declare their assets in the interest of transparency.
In their concluding remarks, the Bishops encouraged the Cameroonian people not to lose hope, urging them to continue praying and working toward building a prosperous nation. *”Cameroon is a garden bequeathed to us by our forefathers, and we must take care of it,”* they said.
The event ended with the Apostolic Nuncio blessing the newly inaugurated National Secretariat of the Catholic Men’s Association.
