Skip to main content




BAMENDA EPISCOPAL TRANSITION: NKEA TAKES CROSIER AS ESUA RETIRES



BY MILDRED NDUM WUNG KUM



Cornelius Fontem Esua passed possession of Bamenda Archdiocese to his successor. The sacred moment to induct Andrew Fuanya Nkea as third metropolitan of Bamenda Archdiocese ignited jubilation, leaving imprint on the archdiocese's history as the time of episcopal transition.



The high point was presentation of the bull of appointment, the handing of the Crosier and the cathedra. This was witnessed by hundreds including bishops, priests, religious, consecrated men and women, civil, political and religious leaders who all turned out at the St Joseph Centenary Piazza, 22nd February 2020.



It took place during a Holy Mass in the presence of His Grace Julio Murat, the Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea representing Pope Francis, while Cameroon's president was represented by Paul Atanga Nji, Minister of Territorial Administration.



At the ceremony, Andrew took the crosier, a symbol of his pastoral ministry being Chief Shepherd. He was handed the cosier from Cornelius in the presence of the Nucio.



Andrew then sat on the cathedra, the chair made from furniture that symbolises his teaching role.



At the accomplishment of the rites, bishops and priest at the event come in fraternity kissing the ecclesiastical ring of the most Reverend Andrew Fuanya Nkea. This is followed by a mood of conviviality with the newly installed archbishop blessing each and every segment of the crowd witnessing the occasion.


Andrew aided by the Nuncio takes the crosier from Cornelius


His Lordship George Nkuo, bishop of Kumbo Diocese enjoined the new Archbishop to his call "The purpose of a bishop is to be a father to his people, a brother to his Priests and consecrated men and women and wife to his witness of Jesus to the world. That is the duty entrusted to Andrew as he assumes duty as Archbishop of Bamenda"


The incoming Archbishop in a statement to the press pledged commitment to the needs of his flock "I am going to do everything within my powers so that the hatred, the killing, the violence should stop"

As he signed out from the office of Archbishop, emeritus archbishop Cornelius Fontem Esua thanked the people for their collaboration. He also called on the flock to support his successor whom he described as young, dynamic and wise.  

Andrew Fuanya Nkea takes over from Cornelius Fontem Esua as the third chief shepherd of Bamenda after his predecessors Cornelius Fontem Esua and late Paul Verdzekov.  

He assumes ministry in a diocese erected on 13th August 1970 by St Pope Paul the sixth.

The Diocese is currently being plagued by a socio political crisis diffused into the Church from the country’s unjust social and political trend.

All eyes are raised to His Grace Andrew Fuanya Nkea as he comes into the embattled Archdiocese.

The Archdiocese of Bamenda is conterminous with five divisions of the Northwest region; Boyo, Mezam, Momo, Menchum and Ngoketunjia. It has an area of, 11000000 square meters, a population of 1.5000000 persons with about 600,000 Catholics.

There are about 156 diocesans and religious priests, currently saving across the parishes of the archdiocese.
It has the pastoral, presbyterial, laity, health and education councils.

There are fifteen functional commissions in the archdiocese, 330 primary schools, 15 secondary schools, a university and seven health care centers.


THE EVENT IN PICTURES



Comments

Post a Comment

Editor's Picks

KUMBO BISHOP SETS FEB 21 TO  PRAY FOR NGARBUH VICTIMS BY MILDRED NDUM WUNG KUM The Bishop of Kumbo Diocese His Lordship George Nkuo has set February 21 as a day of prayer for some twenty four Cameroonians attacked in the locality of Ngarbuh Ntumbaw in the wee hours of February 14th 2020. The prelate’s appeal comes 96 hours (four days) after a massacre on Ngarbuh inhabitants.  In the call for prayers to be said for victims of the incident, the communiqué carries words of compassion from Bishop Nkuo “I hereby declare Friday 21st February 2020 as a day of prayer and mourning in the entire Diocese of Kumbo for the Victims of the Ngarguh disaster. In this way, we shall vehemently say yes to life and No to dead in solidarity with the recent message of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon... A requiem Mass should be celebrated in all our churches and where possible an ecumenical service be organised to implore God for an end to this socio political crisis that has plu...
Post a Comment
Read more
Farewell Mass to His Excellency Julio Murat, Outgoing Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea By Mildred Ndum Wung Kum   A farewell Mass to outgoing Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea Julio Murat took place at Our Lady of Victory Cathedral Yaounde with all bishops of Cameroon present.  His Grace Andrew Nkea, president of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon who featured in the Mass as main celebrant and homilist was grateful for the time spent by His Grace Julio Murat in Cameroon. Archbishop Andrew Nkea reflected on the qualities of a good shepherd, pointing to Jesus as the good shepherd who served mankind with love and humility. The national Episcopal Conference of Cameroon handed gifts of a chasuble and a statue of Mary to Julio Murat. They wished him well as he continues his ministry. The outgoing Nuncio was expressed thanks for the fraternity shared in Cameroon and the graces received.  Present at the Mass were lay Christians, ...
Post a Comment
Read more
AT PALLIUM INVESTITURE PAROLIN ENTASKS ALL TO PEACE   By Mildred Ndum Wung Kum The mission to hand the pallium in Bamenda was blended with a mission of peace, dialogue and reconciliation. Pietro Cardinal Parolin, Secretary of States of the Vatican and Pope’s envoy on errand to place the pallium on the shoulders of Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea accomplished his task while also calling on an end to violence affecting Bamenda. He prescribed vigilance and serenity insisting that dialogue should be pursued in place of violence. Pietro Cardinal Parolin at St Joseph Piazza Bamenda Pietro Parolin was principal celebrant of a pontifical High Mass to mark the pallium investiture on January 31, 2021 at the St Joseph Centenary Piazza in Bamenda.  He acknowledged that Bamenda is being shattered by division and rioting. His message of none violence in relation to a socio political crisis plaguing Bamenda fell on a heterogonous audience “we are all responsible for peace. All the actors ...
3 comments
Read more