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

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, ...
FIFTH COVID-19 IMMUNIZATION TAKES OFF IN THE NORTHWEST REGION The fifth round of covid-19 vaccination campaign has been launched in the North west Region, Cameroon with eligeble persons being immunized. Northwest Governor, Adolph Lele Lafrique  presided the launching ceremony November 18, 2022 calling on stakeholders to be on frontline, ensuring everyone is protected against the virus. "I am appealing to those  who are not yet vaccinated to go to the various centers in the region. Even those who took the vaccine long ago have to renew their vaccines to be ready to fight the new wave of contamination in the region" Mr Lele L'afrique said in a press statement. At the event, the Regional Delegate of Public health for the Northwest, Dr Kingsley Che Soh detailed that the 5th wave of COVID-19 is not as devastating as the fourth wave, thanks to the introduction of the  vaccine. He stressed that taking the vaccine is primordial to preempt an emergence of a sixth wave of COVID-19....

THE ROLE CATHOLIC CLERGY AND LAITY PLAYED IN ANNOUNCED NATIONAL DIALOGUE

Priests and Bishops pose for pictures at 67th BAPEC session Cameroon’s president Paul Biya announced a major national dialogue to commence as from the end of this month.  The announcement came in a speech which he addressed to the nation hinged on the throes of the socio political crisis that has gripped the North West and South West region. It is barely a week since the national dialogue was announced and the topic is animating public debates. It is however time to give credit to the clerics and the laity of the Holy Mother Church the for role played in paving the path of dialogue Since the outbreak of the Anglophone crisis, the priests, the bishops, the religious and other leaders of the church have often echoed and re-echoed that only profound and meaningful dialogue can bring solution to the problems plaguing the North West and South West regions of Cameroon. In fact memories of 29-Dec-2016 are still fresh, the date when bishops of the Bamenda Provincial Episcopal Conf...