Society

At audience in Yaounde: Apostolic Nuncio assures MINAT boss of Catholic Church’s commitment to improving lives.

by Mercy Fosoh
17 Oct 2024 10:27
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R-L: Minister Atanga Nji & H.E José Avelino Bettencourt during audience

The Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, His Excellency José Avelino Bettencourt, has assured the Minister of Territorial Administration, MINAT, Paul Atanga Nji, of the Catholic Church’s continuous commitment in improving the livelihoods of Cameroonians.

The diplomat was speaking in Yaounde on Monday October 14. This was during an audience granted him by the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji.

Ambassador Bettencourt revealed that the meeting organised to discuss the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Framework Agreement between the Catholic Church in Cameroon and the government.

“It was a full and deep exchange about the services of the Church in Cameroon. Over the past ten years, we have seen a lot of progress even if there are still things we can do. But we are already satisfied with the progress we have made. It’s a question of seeing how we can all benefit from this agreement,” he highlighted.

According to the Apostolic Nuncio, the aim of the Catholic Church is to serve better and not to seek privileges.

José Avelino Bettencourt then emphasized the most prominent sectors of the Catholic Church’s presence in Cameroon notably education, health and social commitment, noting in particular that the aim is always to do better for the greatest number of Cameroonians.

H.E José Avelino Bettencourt speaking to the press after audience with MINAT boss

It is worth mentioning that the framework agreement was signed in Cameroon on January 14, 2014. It recognises the moral personality that the Catholic Church and the Holy See possess by nature.

The Catholic Church was also recognised as having the right to engage in the service of human, social, cultural, moral, spiritual and material development for the good of all, and to create appropriate institutions with legal personality under Cameroonian law for this purpose.

The signing of the framework agreement was equally a step further in the consolidation of relations between Cameroon and the Vatican State.

The agreement was signed in compliance with two fundamental constitutional principles in Cameroon, the secular nature of the State and respect for religious freedom.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No: 3261 of Wednesday October 16, 2024