Cameroon: Over 6000 Christians Celebrate “End of the Year of Faith”

Cameroon Bishops /file/L'effort Camerounais

By Nkengasong Calesta*

Over six thousand Catholic Christians –mostly delegates from across Cameroon, yesterday Saturday October 5 converged on Small Soppo-Buea, to glorify the Almighty God on the occasion of the closing ceremony of the Year of Faith. 

A host of Cameroon’s Catholic bishops attended the ceremony whose chief celebrant was Emeritus Archbishop of Douala,Christian Cardinal Tumi,sitting in for the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon ,His Excellency Mgr. Piero Pioppo, who was absent.

The celebration started from Thursday, October 3 to Saturday October 5, 2013 at the Regina Pacis Cathedral in Small Soppo

In his welcome address, Bishop Immanuel Bushu of the Diocese of Buea expressed happiness for the choice of Buea which is first Catholic Diocese in the Country, as host for the important ceremony.

He briefed the congregation on the significance of the Year of Faith, decreed last year by Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, to be observed world-wide by Catholic Christians from October 4, 2012 to November 24, 2013.

Drawing inspiration from Luke 10: 17-24, Cardinal Tumi in his homily, urged the Christians to live by faith and to profess and defend their faith everywhere

Cardinal Tumi went further to ask the Christians to love those who hate them and do good to all, adding that their reward will be great since God is good even to the ungrateful

 “It is not enough to profess the faith, live the faith, celebrate the faith and also pray it; prayer is a gift from God and prayer and faith go together,” the distinguished clergyman told the large audience of faithfuls.

The ceremony was another opportunity for Christians from various apostolic groups, dioceses and schools to happily offer gifts especially foodstuff to thank God for such a beautiful day.

In his closing remarks, Monsignor Samuel Kleda, president of the National Episcopal Conference in Cameroon, reiterated the call by Christian Cardinal Tumi for Christians to live by faith and always turn to “our mother Mary”- who is full of grace to intercede on our behalf.

For his part, Mgr. Sebastien Mongo Behon, Secretary -general of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC) congratulated the Bishop of the Diocese of Buea on the wonderful preparation made for the celebration of the memorable event in the history of Catholic Church.

He strongly warned Christians against engaging in occultism and immorality (homosexuality, sodomy and lesbianism), vices which are now common in society.

He invited Christians to always pray for Pope FRANCIS.

Each delegate from various dioceses went back home with a candle, a bible and the year of faith logo as souvenir. The closing of the year of faith will forever remain in the minds of catholic faithful as they went back to their homes with smile faces.

Although a divine celebration, petit traders made quite some money as they took advantage of the thousands of Christians to sell their goods and commodities especially food, drinks and even snacks.

*Nkengasong Calesta is a journalism intern from the University of Buea-Cameroon