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

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 ...
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...
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. ...