Cameroon Bishops Affirm Unity and Hope at Kumba Gathering
The Diocese of Kumba became a focal point of national ecclesial life as bishops, clergy, religious, and lay faithful gathered for the solemn closing Mass of the 49th Annual Seminar of the Bishops of Cameroon. Held at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Fiango, the celebration marked the conclusion of days of reflection centered on communion and collegiality within the Church. The liturgy unfolded in an atmosphere of gratitude and joy, with the cathedral filled to capacity as the local community welcomed the country’s episcopate. The presence of the bishops was received as a sign of closeness and encouragement, particularly meaningful for a diocese situated in a region affected by prolonged social and political strain. The Mass served both as a moment of thanksgiving for the seminar’s fruits and as a public witness to shared faith and perseverance.
Presiding over the gathering, Andrew Nkea Fuanya, President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, praised the collaboration and dedication shown throughout the seminar. Addressing the faithful of Kumba, he expressed appreciation for their hospitality and solidarity, emphasizing that episcopal ministry is sustained by prayer and mutual support rather than material reward. He highlighted the importance of unity among bishops as a foundation for authentic pastoral leadership, noting that collective discernment allows the Church to respond more faithfully to challenges. In a context marked by uncertainty, he encouraged the community to remain steadfast, affirming confidence that peace and reconciliation would ultimately prevail across the region and the nation as a whole.
The Mass also featured a homily by Avelino Bettencourt, who reflected on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and its implications for Christian life. He reminded the congregation that baptism calls believers to place Christ at the center of their personal and communal witness. Recalling the recently concluded Jubilee Year, he commended Cameroonian Catholics for their active participation despite economic hardship and insecurity. The nuncio stressed that the Church remains present alongside the people, sharing their burdens and hopes. He spoke of communion and collegiality as bonds that unite local churches to one another and to the Bishop of Rome, strengthening the universal mission of the Church through shared responsibility and service.
The celebration in Kumba also carried diplomatic and historical significance as the nuncio recalled the upcoming sixtieth anniversary of official relations between the Holy See and Cameroon. He conveyed gratitude on behalf of the Pope for the commitment of the bishops in guiding their communities through complex circumstances. The gathering concluded as a visible expression of ecclesial solidarity, bringing together national leadership and local faithful in prayer and thanksgiving. For the Diocese of Kumba, hosting the bishops offered reassurance of belonging within the wider Church, while for the episcopate, the encounter reinforced a shared mission rooted in unity, hope, and pastoral closeness to the people they serve.
