Diocese of Buea Set to Host End of ‘Year of Faith’ in Cameroon

By Christopher Ambe

Bishop Immanuel Bushu(middle)at press conference

The Diocese of Buea, chosen by the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, to host celebrations marking the Close of the Year of Faith in Cameroon, is getting ready to that effect. The celebrations will run from Thursday, October 3 to Saturday October 5, 2013 at the Regina Pacis Cathedral in Small Soppo.

   Addressing a press conference, last September 21, at Bishop Rogan College-Small Soppo-Buea, His Lordship Immanuel Bushu, Bishop of Buea, said the Year of Faith was decreed last year by Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, to be observed world-wide by Catholic Christians from October 4, 2012 to November 24, 2013.

In Cameroon, activities with respect to the Year of Faith have been on-going for a year now and the National Episcopal Conference deemed it wise to set aside three days to mark its close in Buea.

    According to Bishop Bushu, “Faith is a grace, and a grace is a gift.  The church is a community of Faith. When we have this faith we must live according the word of God”

   The Bishop said one of the particular things that drove the Pope to decree the Year of Faith is because “we have become more secular”. He said the Pope saw that “when we are living in this secular world we forget God so easily; so this period is to bring us back to God; this period is time for renewal of faith in Jesus”

    The Bishop expressed happiness that the event is scheduled for Buea, which is the first Catholic Diocese in the Country. “We are happy for hosting this national celebration”, he said

    He warned Christians against idolizing material things instead of living in Christ, adding that “Jesus is calling us to be holy as He is”

 It emerged that the event in Buea will be characterized by church services, meditation, a discourse on the Year of Faith and workshops.

The Bishop said Christians will attend as pilgrims, except those working in various committees for the Celebration.

    According to an earlier release by Rev.Fr Wilson Ngema, Director of Communication, Diocese of Buea, “This celebration, which shall be a unique come-together of the Catholic Church in Cameroon, shall assemble about seven thousand worshipers including the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea (who shall be making his maiden outing to Buea), all thirty three Bishops of Cameroon, delegates from 25 dioceses in the country, and special guests”

(This article also appears in print in The Recorder Newspaper, Cameroon,of September  27,2013)