L'Effort Camerounais (English Version)

L'Effort Camerounais, No. 529 From May 23 To June 6

Editorial:Relishing lost Christian values as Cameroon gears up to celebrate 50 years of Reunification

By Ireneaus Chongwain Chia

Cameroon has just commemorated its 40th National Day and is looking forward to celebrating 50 years of Reunification later this year on a date still to be announced. Though a delay in the initial plan has left many wondering whether the announced celebration is only a political strategic afterthought, or a sincere desire to mark what has been achieved in the past 50 years, many Christians cannot help relishing the Christian values and relics that have been lost over the years; especially so as some recent plans are even jeopardising the Reunification foundation itself.

Douala Archdiocese closes first diocesan Synod on the Word of God

By Grace Ongey

Douala Archbishop, Mgr. Samuel Kléda, has called on Christians to desist from all forms of exploitation. He was speaking recently at a Pontifical Mass which he presided at SS Peter and Paul Cathedral that wrapped off the first diocesan synod on the Word of God in Douala Archdiocese.

See How Modern Trends Are Reshaping Our Christian Values And Thinking

It is very challenging to practice one's Christian virtues today as modern trends and dubious conduct are posing threats to Christianity's very essence. Yet it is precisely within such a context that faith can be measured; for what is the value of gold that has not been tested. The person you are helping may be just another conman, selfless service is becoming a laughable practice and nothing is anything without a monetary value. But how are Christians confronting the challenges to their faith and what can they do to remain Christians in an increasingly material and evil-dominated world.

Christian selfless service on trial

By Fr. Moses Tazoh

I was held spellbound when I listened to an old man recount his experience of being a carrier at the time priests went on trek. When he was ready to move to the next station, volunteers were present to transport his belonging.

The neglected virtue of silence at Mass

By Fr. Eugene Song

The deeply religious atmosphere of catholic liturgy often characterised by silence, reverence and solemnity seems to be fading away in some churches in the western world where chatty Christians commonly engage with impunity in lousy and noisy conversations before, during and after Holy Mass.

Living our Christian lives and values in an immoral world

Rev. Fr. Jude Langeh Basebang

In a violence, injustice, wars and hatred, hopelessness and lack of vision assailed world, the greatest and best thing is to make a choice. Against such a backdrop, P. A. Ogbonna posits that one has to make a choice, for in so doing, "--- the doubt of personality is dispelled, and the creative self emerges… in it, there is infinite interest in one's own existence… a form of Socratic goodness, integrity and self-knowledge". (P. A. OGBONNA, The Chosen Life, Enugu, Asomog Press, 1989, p. 24).

Should Christians continue to show kindness despite the risk involved?

By Joseph Tabung Banah

It is hard to say exactly why two people have chosen the church entrance as their living place. Obviously they need help, but to what extent would Christians continue to be generous?He looks disturbed and tired. This is intensified by the thick skin and the wrinkles on his face. He is wearing a tattered shirt and seemingly, has not used a comb for long.

How Christians are coping with modern influences on their spiritual lives

Pa Patrick Visas: Teacher, Bamenda
 
I go to Church first thing in the morning and listen to the Word of God. This nourishes me spiritually. I am therefore reminded that I have to witness the Word and that keeps me going throughout the day.  I take my job as seriously as I do prayers so much so that modern technological developments hardly tempt me. But, my children sometimes tempt me when they watch channels showing funny films, or at times even pornographic films. I shout at them to change the channel, but I am also sometimes tempted to watch things that are not helpful to my Christian life. Generally, I keep struggling because I know this earthly pilgrimage is not easy. Sometimes I go to a priest for advice on what I should do in the face of such difficulties. I also hold on to other Christians in the neighbourhood who help me to live my spiritual life.

Bamenda City Council still to account for missing FCFA 230milion

By Jude Abanseka

It has been revealed during a Bamenda City Council, BCC, ordinary session of Wednesday, May 16, 2012, dedicated to examine BCC accounts for 2011 that FCFA 230million is allegedly missing from the council coffers.

Pastoral placements in Mamfe Diocese

All Rev. Fathers

All Religious Men and Women

All Christ’s Lay Faithful

Diocese of Mamfe

Rev. and Dear Fathers,

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

May the grace of Christ Jesus Our Lord be with you (2 Thess. 3:18).

Following the recommendations made to me by the Appointment Committee of the College of Consultors of the Diocese of Mamfe that met on Tuesday, April 3, 2012, I, Francis T. Lysinge, Bishop, by the Grace of God and the Apostolic See, hereby decree

Our Lady of Lourdes Mankon tops 2012 Cameroon Academic Honour Roll

Laureates and OLLC Principal

Our Lady of Lourdes College, O.L.L.C, Mankon has emerged overall best of 22 schools in the Cameroon Academic Honour Roll's maiden edition. The college won the leading position thanks to Nde Fon Njweng and Ashlexy Shikei Tanagng who emerged overall best female science and best female mathematics students respectively for the 2011/2012 Academic Year.

New SAMAGS girl's dormitory inaugurated

By Percy Afuh

A newly constructed girls' dormitory at St. Maria Goretti's Comprehensive High School, SAMAGS, Njinikom, has been blessed and inaugurated. The Archbishop for Bamenda, His Grace Cornelius Fontem Esua, presided at the blessing and inauguration ceremony during a one-day pastoral visit to the school on May 10.

Yaoundé Catholic Men Association dedicates national uniform

By Dominique Morfaw

Yaoundé Catholic Men Association, CMA, members gathered at St. Luke's Parish Carrière on Sunday, April 29, for their 18th general assembly during which their national uniform was dedicated.    The ceremony started with a High Mass with the diocesan chaplain, Rev. Fr.  Kizito Forbi, as the chief celebrant.

Rev. Fr. Jervis Kebei celebrates Silver Jubilee

By Jude Abanseka with inputs from Br. Joseph Wankui

Rev. Fr. Jervis Kebei celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his priestly ordination on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at Regina Pacis Cathedral Small Soppo Buea, the ceremonial grounds he was ordained 25 years ago. It began with a heavily-attended Pontifical Mass with the Bishop of Buea Mgr. Immanuel Bushu as main celebrant and about 60 concelebrating priests from the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province and beyond.

Catholicism: an Advent and Easter experience

By Fr. Maurice Agbaw-Ebai

The classic Catholic experience has been a certain duality that finds concrete forms of unity: matter and form; word and sacraments; sin and grace; faith and good works. Catholicism as a religious experience continues down the ages to rediscover anew in the world, the beauty of the incarnation: that God has become man in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.

"At the Saviour's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say"

By Francline Jevlon, STAMS Bambui

The spiritual benefits we reap from each Mass attendance are enormous. When we attend and participate fully, consciously and actively (cf Sacrosanctum Concilium - SC No. 14), we live fulfilled.More so, when we attend Mass knowing what we do, knowing the meanings of solemn words we utter and their implications, our minds are filled with grace, Christ our Pasch is consumed and a pledge of future glory is given to us (SC No. 47).

LAMP FOR MY STEPS: Experiencing the Power of the Holy Spirit

By Fr. Moses Tazoh

Jesus promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to his followers. What this means and how it is done sometimes turns the Holy Spirit into a ploy that individuals manipulate to their advantage and make a caricature of it.

L'Effort Camerounais No. 528, From May 09 To May 23, 2012

Editorial: Justice, Peace and Reconciliation: Transcending Theology To Action

By Ireneaus Chongwain Chia

The world, Africa, Cameroon, our communities and families; in a nutshell- the individual, have never been more in need of justice, peace and reconciliation than they are today. It is against this backdrop that Pope Benedict XVI, while on a recent visit to Benin, signed and entrusted the post synodal apostolic exhortation, Africae Munus, to the contemporary African Church. The document, which seeks to reinforce the ecclesial dynamism of a continent overwhelmed by immense socio-economic, political and religious conflicts, challenges Africans, from a purely biblical and therefore spiritual springboard, to stand up and walk. So Africa, stand up and walk!

“It is my hope that this Synod will truly make Mamfe Diocese something beautiful for God, ” Bishop Francis Teke Lysinge

+Francis T. Lysinge
  Bishop of Mamfe

Dear brothers priests,
Dear religious men and women,
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

1. “Glory be to him, whose power working within us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine; glory to him in the Church and in Christ Jesus through all generations for ever and ever. Amen.” (Eph.3:20).

Walking The Justice Line: Is Cameroon A Justice sensitive Country?

The exercise of justice is so important that no civilized society can survive without it. Yet it is abused in many countries –the rich buy it, the poor are deprived of it, the privileged influence it and those in authority manipulate it. It is within this backdrop that the Catholic Church has taken up the challenge to promote justice whenever the need arises. But is there any justice in Cameroon and what can be done to ensure it prevails where it is absent?

Cameroon: Call for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission after the South African model

By Fr. Eugene Song

Justice permits reconciliation

The apartheid regime in South Africa left in its wake a disturbing track record of despicable human rights violations, massive killings, abductions, institutionalised racial discrimination and absolute white political and economic dominance over the black majority.

Citizens need to be educated on the existing justice system

By Grace Ongey

Self-administered justice is not an aspect of a civilised society

Justice means giving each person what he or she deserves or, in more traditional terms, giving each person his or her due. Justice is generally understood to mean what is right, fair, appropriate and deserved.We cannot talk about practices that hinder Cameroon from being a justice-prone nation without mentioning social justice which is concerned with equal justice, not just in the courts, but in all aspects of society.

Putting Justice, Peace and Reconciliation into Action

By Fr. Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang, cmf

Justice, Peace and Reconciliation are the watchwords which have always been in the Catholic Church's dictionary and have been recurrent in many write-ups and conferences in the past decade.
These concepts are of prime importance to the Universal Church in general and to the African Church in particular and were the focus of the October 2008 Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops in Rome.

“Conscience and the Law govern justice in our courts,” Magistrate Kenneth Tanyi Ako

Interviewed by Fr. Moses Tazoh

Being in the courtroom is like waiting for a woman in labour. You are expecting some good news but anything could go wrong. What had transpired on the bench? Fr. Moses Tazoh caught up with Magistrate Kenneth Ako Tanyi, Presiding at the Muyuka Court of First Instance, to investigate what it takes to uphold fair and equitable justice.  Excerpts: 

Let Christians speak! Is there justice in Cameroon?

Steve Bongsha: Banker, Bamenda

There is no justice in Cameroon. The President should not head the Judicial System. It should be independent and thus act on its own. The recent decision to arrest corrupt former ministers, in my opinion, is not complete as not all who are supposed to be arrested have been arrested.  The judiciary should therefore be independent.

Douala Archdiocese Celebrates 4th Diocesan Family Day

By John Neba

Christians of Douala Archdiocese have celebrated the 4th Diocesan Family Day with a call to respect moral family values. The event which ran from April 27 to 28, 2012, began with a round table discussion at the Banquet Hall of Douala SS Peter and Paul Cathedral Parish.

New hope for orphans and underprivileged children

By Jude Abanseka

Some participants at the meeting

An association to cater for the needs of orphans and vulnerable children has been created in Bamenda Archdiocese. A meeting of Members of The Friends of Blessed Cyprian Tansi and Isidore Kids, to officially launch the association and elect its board members was held in the conference hall of the Social Welfare Office on April 24, 2012.

Only cardiac screening can determine cardiovascular disorders

Sr. Budzee Appolonia, PRO

Healthcare is becoming a priority for a growing number of Cameroonians. Speculatively the claim that Africans consult only when they are critically sick, may be disproved sooner or later.

Mgr. Victor Tonye Bakot celebrates Silver Jubilee

By Grace Ongey

Yaoundé Archbishop Mgr. Victor Tonye Bakot has described the hard times he has experienced as God's servant as a foretaste of Jesus' cross. He was speaking at Mary Queen of the Apostles Minor Basilica Mvolyé on May 05, where hundreds of Christians converged in a highly colourful ceremony to celebrate twenty five (25) years of his episcopacy.

Sr. Theresia Itor celebrates Silver Jubilee

By Jude Abanseka

A ceremony that marked Sr. Theresia Itor’s 25th anniversary in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Therese, Buea was organised on May 4, 2012 at St. Joseph Metropolitan Cathedral Mankon-Bamenda. It began with a Pontifical Mass with the Archbishop of Bamenda, His Grace Cornelius Esua, as the main celebrant.

Cameroon Panorama Celebrates Golden Jubilee: Stalwarts of Cameroon Panorama in 50 years

By Fr. Moses Tazoh

The process of giving birth to Cameroon Panorama 50 years ago has come a long way through a winding path to fruition. It is thanks to anchor people acting as pacesetters and propellers to kick-start and steer the course. Their footprints and facelifts in the media world down memory lane are worth celebrating with full pomp and splendour.  Since January 1962 this print medium has appeared in all sizes and styles. It has assumed different names, shapes, looks and tones.

L'Effort Camerounais No. 527 From April 25 To May 09, 2012

Editorial: Of Arrests, Justice, Peace and Reconciliation

By Ireneaus Chongwain Chia

The recent arrest of two of some of President Biya’s closest collaborators in the last decade, former Prime Minister Ephraim Inoni and a former Minister of State, Marafa Hamidou Yaya, and coincidentally when the Bishops of Cameroon were holding their annual plenary assembly which focused on exploring avenues of promoting justice, peace and reconciliation, has taken the fight against the embezzlement of public funds a step higher. It could also indicate there may no longer be any hiding places for those who have no respect for the public good; those who once thought they were “untouchable” or simply considered to have “unbridled” presidential ambitions. 

Are Miracles Linked To Denominations?

Some Christians are criss -crossing from one church to another searching for those that offer or claim to offer the most miracle propensities. This growing miracle-quest raises the question whether miracles are linked to denominations or  are an out-growth of one's faith and spirituality. Many are sometimes attracted to miracle-promising churches through spectacular television broadcasts, but there is a less publicised silent majority that through their faith are equally attesting to miracles in their daily lives. Miracles must not be dramatic to be believed, L'Effort Camerounais has discovered, as it unveils some Catholic Christians' miracle-revealing experiences.

The Eucharist: the greatest miracle, getting the best from Eucharistic Adoration

By Rev. Fr. Jude T. Langeh Basebang

Jesus is really present in the blessed Sacrament

Our religion is blessed with the singular privilege of having Christ ever present. In the Eucharist Jesus is present in His Body, Soul and Divinity. There is a dire need of a “close encounter” with Jesus Christ; an encounter which John Hampsch in The Healing Power of the Eucharist describes as a “mutual, coactive, and an intimate union called Communion”. This encounter with Christ occurs in the Eucharist and should really be of profit to Christians.

The making of a miracle

  By Fr. Moses Tazoh

The healing of the paralytic always brings home mixed feelings. On one side, it is uplifting and consoling to those who are genuinely searching the truth. On the other, it can be a trap that the evil one sets to mislead well-intentioned disciples.

Is Faith based on miracles and are miracles linked to denominations?

By Grace Ongey

Responding to the needs of a miracle-hungry world

A false doctrine within Christian churches today is so prevalent it takes serious study and a real relationship with the Holy Spirit to know the truth.  Several Christians question if Faith is based on miracles and others have concluded that miracles are denominational.

Have you ever had a miracle?

Views sampled by Jude Abanseka

Petra Nain Mih

I have had several miracles. Just the fact that I am alive today is a miracle. If Christians of Pentecostal churches think they have more or exclusive experiences to miracles, then they do not even know what they are saying because they are not the only God-favoured people. Every human being is created in the likeness and image of God and has equal rights to miracles. God accords freely as long as we go to Him in faith. Pentecostal Christians believe they have faith more than others, but God alone determines the level of our faith in him.