Skip to main content

CANONICAL POSSESSION BUEA: BISHOP AVOWS TO DIE FOR FLOCK

By Mildred Ndum Wung Kum


Bishop Michael Miabeseu Bibi gave his word to lay down his life for the flock as he took canonical possession of Buea Diocese, Cameroon.  The rites accompanying the ceremony was modulated by His Excellency Julio Murat, Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea where the newly installed bishop of Buea officially assumed episcopal office which was symbolised by taking the crosier and sitting on the cathedral

In a firm mood at the occasion,  Bishop Bibi said "I would like to request one thing from all of you who have come here today. Please remember me in your prayers so that I may be a faithful servant to carryout the mysteries that have been entrusted to me and this responsibility of shepherding the people of God in the Diocese of Buea. Pray that I may be a good shepherd. Pray that I may give my life to the service of the people of God in this Diocese even to the point of accepting to die because of them. On my part I would pray earnestly for you so that together we should work for the good of the church and the Diocese of Buea" he avowed.

The ceremony at the Divine Mercy Co Cathedral Molyko Buea on Thursday February 25, 2021 took place within a Eucharistic Celebration pulling a multitude among them prelates, state and traditional dignatories from within and out of  the country.

At the arena, His Grace Andrew Nkea, Archbishop of Bamenda and Vice president of the national Episcopal Conference of Cameroon delivered a message where he stressed on the profound unity that should be shared between the bishop, his priests and lay faithful. His words were parallel to words from the gospel of St John and the letter of St Paul to the Hebrews as he said Bishop Bibi comes as a high priest to act for men in their relations with God. The people of Buea like the sheep would have  to listen to their bishop and follow him. The priests and laity should look up to him as a brother, a father and a messenger sent by God. 

The liturgy was led by the Buea Diocesan Choir made up of the thirty six parishes in the Diocese of Buea. The culture of the Bakweri  also added colour to the liturgy especially as the lectionary procession and the offertory procession featured the traditional regalia of the people notably the wearing ok the "kaba" by the women and the "sanja" by the men plus cultural gifts like parceled yams in weaved bamboo baskets presented to the newly installed bishop

As a symbol of their joy and thanksgiving, Christians of Buea and guests at the event also offered gifts in cash and kind to support the newest bishop of the oldest Diocese in Cameroon. 

Bishop Michael Bibi, native of Bamessing, Ngoketunjia Division of the northwest region was appointed by Pope Francis as the Bishop of Buea on 5th January 2021. Before then he was serving as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Buea and concomottantly the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bamenda. His installation on Thursday February 25 2021 comes to continue the Episcopal ministry in Buea that began in 1950 with Bishop Peter Rogan as the first bishop of Buea and then Mgr Jules Peeters in 1962, Mgr Pius Suh Awa  in 1973 and Bishop Emmanuel Bushu in 2007.

                  News in pics










Comments

Editor's Picks

UBa opens doors for a Hate free Institution   By Mbuh Stella Hate Speech is a potential source of conflict, contributing to thousands of lives lost around the globe, experts have warned. In Cameroon, Hate speech is practiced both online and offline. The phenomenon is a call for concern. It is against this back drop that Defyhatenow  a Non Governmental Organization is working towards raising awareness and combating Hate speech. Recently, a team from the organization led by Laure Nganlay Nadege, Communication Associate at Defyhatenow visited the University of Bamenda, UBa to initiate a program which will in the days ahead engage students  in the fight against Hate speech and other forms of information manipulation. During the discussion, delegation member, Derick Kinnang, who is also Research and Administrative Officer at Defyhatenow said 'hate speech is a can of worms that should not be allowed to take roots in the communities" Defyhatenow Delegation presented their missio...
A pontifical Holy Mass would be celebrated on Thursday 30th January at the St Joseph's Metropolitan Cathedral Mankon to officially open the process of beatification for late Archbishop Emeritus Paul Verdzekov. The Mass would be presided by the Apostolic Administrator of Bamenda Cornelius Fontem Esua. In line with the upcoming event, our reporter Mildred Ndum Wung Kum in the following paper analyses the relevance. The entire Archdiocese of Bamenda and beyond is with all eyes fixed on the official opening of the process of beatification of the late Paul Verdzekov, pioneer Bishop and Archbishop of Bamenda. It shall be a landmark event in the spiritual  calendar of the Archdiocese given that many shall behold what it means by the process of beatification  for the very first time. As Archbishop emeritus Cornelius Fontem Esua mounts the podium to officially announce that Paul Verdzekov is en route to sainthood , the contemporary Christian must be conscious of the significance. ...
MILITANTS UPHOLD TRUST AT BIYA’S 38 ANNIVERSARY OF RIDDLED MANDATE  BY MILDRED NDUM WUNG KUM Militants of the Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement CPDM feted the thirty eight anniversary of Paul Biya in power November 6, 2020. For close to four decades, the mandate of Mr Biya, incumbent president of Cameroon and national chairman of the CPDM party has been described as one marked with riddled achievement. In spite of this criticism from his opponents, sympathisers of the party celebrated his anniversary with high spirit, sustaining trust in Mr Biya’s regime. Comrade Fru Jonathan, Section President of Mezam II which covers the Santa area, organised militants where celebration of thirty eight years of Paul Biya at the helm of presidential power was done with renewed confidence. The Section President together with the youth and women leaders of the party rejoiced at a president whose term of office has been marked with an increase in infrastructure in all parts of the country includin...