At 46th Annual Seminar in Ebolowa: Bishops raise alarm on suffocating cost of living.

They raised the worries of the disturbing socio-economic situation Saturday, January 14. This was at the close of the 46^th annual seminar of bishops which held in Ebolowa, in the South region.

The weeklong conference held under the theme: “The challenges of proclaiming the Gospel today according to the Apostolic Constitution Predicate Evangelium”. It was also attended by Bishops from neighbouring Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

A communique issued by the Secretary General of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, NECC, Mgr Jervis Kebei Kwei, captured the worries of the prelates on the skyrocketing cost of living and other socio-economic challenges facing citizens, especially those already weakened by crisis in some regions of the country.

“The Bishops are particularly concerned about the social situation and the economic situation that is increasingly austere and asphyxiating for the poorest,” partly read the release issued by NECC scribe.

The servants of God through the release urged the “faithful to persevere in prayer” in the face of the challenging socio-economic climate the country is facing.

Enter NECC President

The President of National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon who doubles as Archbishop of Bamenda Archdiocese, His Grace Andrew Fuanya Nkea, in a pontifical high mass celebrated to mark the end of the annual gathering further reiterated the worries of the prelates in his homily.

Nkea lamented the drastic hike in prices of basic commodities and resultant cost of living.

“We have reflected on the socio-economic problems that we have and we have put all these in prayers and want to continue to move ahead in tranquility,” Bishop Nkea told reporters at the end of the pontifical high mass.

“We have looked at the involvement of the laity in our midst and we are hoping that our church will open up very much to the involvement of the lay faithful,” he added.

Nkea also prayed to God to exhort the prayers of the Bishops for a return to peace in regions hit by conflict and crisis. He equally called on all and sundry to be tolerant.

NECC President said the people of God are tired of violence and any form of war and insisted that Bishops have resolved in unison and individually to continue working for return to peace.

Nkea urged the representative of the Head of State, Minister Paul Atanga Nji, to channel their words of gratitude to the President of the Republic for the concern he has for the church.

Prayers for love, peace, solidarity

For one week, the prelates prayed for peace, love for one another and reflected on the socio-economic problems facing the country and the globe.

“We have had an experience to pray with the people, to share in their culture and their faith,” Bishop Michael Bibi of Buea Diocese said.

“I am very happy to be here today and to celebrate this day with thanks giving to God and to all the people who contributed,” said Mgr Alain Mbarga Mbarga, Bishop of Ebolowa.

Other church issues discussed

The confab was used to discuss other issues affecting the church in the country. The final communique at the close of the 46^th NECC Bishops resolved to explore “Predicate Evangelium”, an apostolic constitution issued by Pope Francis, to enable the episcopate “to reform the Church and affiliate institutions in order to make them effective instruments of evangelisation today”.

They followed with keen interest the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium and its implication on the National Episcopal Conference and the Church in Cameroon from experts and a presentation of the project Consolidation of Systems and Services for the Care of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Cameroon.

The days were punctuated by prayer and Eucharistic celebration with the fervent participation of many faithful for peace and social climate in Cameroon.

Revisiting the weeklong confab

Worth recalling is the fact that the solemn opening ceremony took place on Monday, January 9 at the Ludwig Schick Multipurpose hall in the presence of the Minister of Higher Education, Prof Fame Ndongo, the Governor of the South region, Felix Nguelle Nguelle, and many administrative and traditional authorities.

It was marked by speeches from host Bishop Philippe Alain Mbarga, Bishop of Ebolowa and Vice President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, the Mayor of Ebolowa I, Daniel Edjo'o.

NECC President had in the opening rejoiced in the hospitality and dynamism of the faithful of Ebolowa.

Nkea also thanked His Excellency Mgr Julio Murat, Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon appointed in Sweden, for his apostolic service to the benefit of the Church in Cameroon.

They also welcomed with joy Bishop Aloysus Abangalo Fondong, Bishop of Mamfe who was attending the gathering for the first time.

The next annual seminar will be held in the Diocese of Maroua Mokolo from January 8 to 13, 2024.