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

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
JUICY EXPECTATIONS AT CAMEROON'S MAIDEN REGIONAL ELECTIONS By Mildred Ndum Wung Kum The first ever Regional Election is taking place across polling stations in Cameroon this Sunday December 6th 2020. After casting votes, the electorate awaits Decentralisation and special status with high expectatiion. Once results are declared by the nation's  constitutional council, the installation of regional councillors plus the exercise of their duties would follow. Councillors line up for Voting on Elections Day Expectations are also juicy in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon though in a backdrop  of a four year old Anglophone crisis.  In Mezam, one of seven Divisions in the Northwest Region where voting is taking place, the streets are deserted as people are sticking to ghost towns in obedience to separatist fighters. However, the polling station at Up Station is lively. Members of the electoral college stroll in and out in various turns casting votes.  The House...
1 comment
Read more
PAUL MBIYBE VERDZEKOV SHALL BE PROCLAIMED CANDIDATE FOR SAINTHOOD BY MILDRED NDUM WUNG KUM A pontifical Holy Mass would be celebrated on Thursday 30th January at the St Joseph's Metropolitan Cathedral Mankon,Bamenda at 9am to officially open the process of beatification for late Archbishop Emeritus of Bamenda, Paul Mbiybe Verdzekov. The Mass would be presided by the Apostolic Administrator of Bamenda Cornelius Fontem Esua. It is expected to bring together a huge number of Catholics and non Catholics including pastors and the laity to witness the beginning of the process of sainthood for Paul Verdzekov.  Saints are honoured as people who lived exemplery lives of virtue, are in heaven (triumphant church), can intercede for those living on earth (pilgrim church) as well as those in purgatory (suffering church). The saintly heritage is revered by Catholics but have also benefitted non Catholics who seek intercession of saints and who strive to mimic the saintly way of life. ...
1 comment
Read more