L'Effort Camerounais (English Version)

N° 519, FROM January 04 TO January 18, 2012.

Editorial: We Only Reap What We Sow!

By Ireneaus Chongwain Chia

If a country were built on speeches alone, Cameroon will ineluctably be a citadel of development. If a country’s economic take-off and growth were tied to carefully-worded growth strategies alone, Cameroon would have been miles ahead of many countries. If slogans alone could kick-start a lethargic disoriented people into action, Cameroonians would have long rolled back their sleeves and fell behind their ploughs. But despite the abundance of speeches that whet many an appetite, carefully crafted development strategies and slogans, Cameroon remains caught in an underdevelopment and non-accomplishment vicious circle. Why?

They Worked Hard To Build A Vibrant Church And Were Rewarded In 2011

As has been the case since the inception of the Church in Cameroon, the lay faithful, priests and Religious, have been working together and have ensured the Church’s exponential spiritual and material growth. Such commitment did not weaver in 2011. L’Effort Camerounais revisits and highlights some of those awarded in the Church in 2011 not to project them as heroes, but only to show that the Church needs more labourers in 2012. The focus is not exhaustive or representative of the overall efforts made in 2011. It is only a random sampling which shows that the Church was alive and kicking in 2011 and could be even more so in 2012.

The Christian laity’s mission in the Church

By Fr. Song Eugene

The Laity obliged to provide the Church’s needs

Prior to the Second Vatican Council, the situation of the laity in the Church was never a happy one. Clerical dominance notoriously marked the Church as only those in cassock, the collar and religious habits could make their voices heard.

Pontifical Awards to some Members of Christ’s Lay Faithful and Appointment of Chaplains of His Holiness

Bamenda Archbishop, Auxiliary Bishop and appointed Mgrs

On the occasion of the celebration of the Ruby Jubilee of the erection of the Diocese of Bamneda in November 2010, the archdiocesan College of Consultors and Steering Committee recommended that some Laity and clergy be proposed to the Holy See for Pontifical Awards to recognise and appreciate their contribution in diverse ways to the work of evangelisation and/or Christian witness in Bamenda Archdiocese.

They brought honour to their Church and were honoured in 2011 in Douala Archdiocese

By Ireneaus Chongwain Chia

Douala CMA members urged to help in building the Church

Although a countless number of Christians has been and will continue working for the Church’s spiritual and material growth in Douala Archdiocese, some apostolic groups, priests and lay faithful stood out in 2011, either on the basis of their numerical strength, their commitment and risk taken to uphold Christian ideals, or the quality of their work.

Bamenda Maryvale Institute sends out 7th batch, instructor marks 30 years as catechist

By Jude Abanseka

Ma Elizabeth Nomase

Bamenda Maryvale Institute graduated its 7th batch of students on Saturday, December 1, during a solemn ceremony organised at St. Joseph Metropolitan Cathedral Mankon. One of the key attractions was an instructor who marked 30 years as a catechist.

Douala Archdiocese celebrates 45th World Day of Prayer for Peace

By John Neba

The Archbishop of Douala, His grace Samuel Kleda, has called on Christians of his archdiocese to dedicate the New Year, 2012, to God, ask for His blessings and pray for peace in the world. His Grace Samuel Kleda was speaking on January 2, 2012, Feast of Mary, Mother of God, at the courtyard of SS Peter and Paul’s Cathedral Douala, during a Pontifical Mass celebrated on the occasion of the 45th World Day of Prayer for Peace in Douala Archdiocese.

Cameroon's first wedding medals introduced in Kumbo

By Emmanuel Verdzeka

Kumbo Council has introduced the first wedding medals and post cards in Cameroon. The innovation was made public recently during the council's budgetary session in which FCFA 847 Million was voted as the budget for Kumbo Urban Council for 2012.

First Canon Law Association founded in Cameroon

By Jude Abanseka

The first Canon Law Association in Cameroon, with headquarters at the Catholic University of Central Africa, UCAC, Yaoundé, was created on December 1, 2011.It resulted from a colloquium that brought together all 22 Canon Lawyers in Cameroon.

ANOUNCEMENT! ANOUNCEMENT! ANOUNCEMENT!

The management of St. John of God Hospital Nguti informs the public that a team of experienced orthopedic experts from Italy will be working in the hospital from the 14/02/12 to the 08/03/12. They will consult in other centres of the national territory as follow:

Nso People told to preserve positive cultural values

By Emmanuel Verdzeka

Vanessa Mbinglo (middle) 2011 Miss Ngonnso

Nso people in Bui Division, North West Region, have been encouraged to continue upholding positive cultural values and to shun discriminatory practices against women.

Bishop Awa celebrates Golden Jubilee in the priesthood

By John Neba

Buea Emeritus Bishop His Lordship Pius Suh Awa has celebrated the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination. Fellow priests, Religious and lay Faithful, last December 20, converged on the Regina Pacis Cathedral Small Soppo-Buea for a Pontifical Mass in his honour.

Cardinal Tumi’s homily during Bishop Awa Golden Jubilee Mass

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus,

We are all very happy to be with His Lordship, Bishop Pius Awa. He can truly say like the prophet Isaiah, “Let me sing the praises of the Lord, and of His marvellous deeds in return for all that the Lord has done for me. “ What marvel, what goodness has the Lord done for to His Lordship Pius Awa?

Franciscan Sisters celebrate 75th anniversary

By  Appolonia Budzee, TSSF

The Bishop of Kumbo, Mgr. George Nkuo, has remained Franciscan Sisters that prayers and presence are important in their ministry. He made the statement in his homily during the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Franciscan Sisters’ in Cameroon.

Celebrating the life of an active octogenarian

By Jude Abanseka

A special thanksgiving Mass that marked the 83rd anniversary of Pa Andrew Chongwain took place at St. Joseph Metropolitan Cathedral Bamenda on December 16, 2011. Pa Chongwain has impacted the lives of thousands of Cameroonians and Catholic Education in Bamenda Archdiocese.

Pioneer Catholic Women Association National General Secretary and Second National President dies

By Jude Abanseka

The Pioneer Catholic Women Association National General Secretary and Second National President, Ma Florence Lum Zamcho aka Dodo, died on December 8; Feast of the Immaculate Conception, at the Bamenda Regional Hospital after a protracted illness.

Tears on Christmas Day as family celebrates in poverty

By Joseph Tabung Banah

2011 Christmas as desolate in some places as the environment

On Sunday, December 25, Christian families around the world celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ. In some families in Cameroon’s economic capital, Douala, the day was one of unrestrained and lavish celebrations, but in one family, we saw children with no Christmas gifts and very little food to eat that day.

The importance of Technical Education (Part I)

By Fr. Gerald Jumbam Nyuykongmo, Principal, St. Rita’s Catholic Technical High School, Nkambe

Technical education promotes self reliance

Technical Education is topical given the situation of things in most parts of Cameroon today. The problem of education, or rather fine education is, no doubt, the bane of our country and many African countries today.

Understanding the changes in our New Roman Missal (Part I)

By Francline Javlon STAMS, Bambui, Theology III

It is wonderful to see and hear how Christians have accepted and are adapting to the interesting and more meaningful changes in the New Edition of the English version of the Roman Missal.

LAMP FOR MY STEPS: What is your Blueprint for the Year 2012?

The seasons succeed each other under the distant, blazing sun, and each man, in space and time, makes his way, step by step, inexorably, towards the end. Taking the stage at every turn, each man posits acts which today or tomorrow, make or mar, built or destroy, sow or squander.

L'Effort Camerounais, No. 518, from December 14, 2011 to January 04, 2012

Editorial: What better time to launch reconciliation efforts than December

By Ireneaus Chongwain Chia

The government has been accused of going off at a tangent in her fight against the embezzlement of public funds. Many have out rightly described the ongoing fight against the embezzlement of public funds as vindictive and full of double standards. This may also indicate the complexity of this hydra as it mutates to different forms, either rendering ineffective or innocuous the measures taken to overcome it. The latest medicine in the government anti-embezzlement drugstore is the creation of a Special Criminal Tribunal to speed up the trial of those suspected of embezzling public funds. It, however, provides a way out for those who repent and refund what they have wrongfully siphoned. There is something “Christian” in this provision!  

“If anyone is disappointed with the Bishops’ stance, as a Conference not as individuals, he can write to the Bishops’ Conference.” Douala Emeritus Archbishop Christian Cardinal Tumi

Interviewed by Grace Ongey and Ireneaus Chongwain Chia

Douala Emeritus Archbishop Christian Cardinal Tumi has just returned to Cameroon from Vienna where he received the Transparency International 2011 Global Integrity Award for his efforts in the fight against corruption in Cameroon. On the sidelines, more measures have been taken to step up the fight against corruption which L’Effort Camerounais is interested knowing Cardinal Tumi’s stance on.

Pastoral provision for Mamfe Diocese

All Rev. Fathers
All Religious Men and Women
All Christ’s Faithful
Diocese of Mamfe

Rev. and Dear Fathers,
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Pastoral placement in Mamfe Diocese

All Rev. Fathers
All Religious Men and Women
All Members of Christ’s Faithful
Diocese of Mamfe

Rev.  and Dear Fathers,
Dear Brothers  and Sisters in Christ,

Three Cameroonians win the International Madonna University Charity Peace Award

By Augustine Wendung on special assignment in Nigeria

Three Cameroonians, Margaret Loh, Aloysious N’jok Bibum and Margaret Anne Bibum, among others, have won this year’s Madonna International Charity Peace Award, MICPA. The founder, Rev. Fr. Prof. Emmanuel Mathew Paul Edeh, C.S.S.S, awarded the prizes on November 26 in Madonna University, Nigeria.

Thieves burgle St. Therese Parish Sop

By Fr.  Joseph Dufe

Damaged attempted-stolen parish car

It is Christmas and men of the underworld have gone into action once again. This time thieves visited St. Therese Parish Sop on the night of Friday, December 2. The Parish Priest had just returned from the Bambui Seminary after a tiring day. He washed the car and  parked it safely in front of the Parish Office and retired to the Novitiate community.

Deïdo English Speaking Community breaks virgin land on new church project

By Joseph Tabung Banah

Members of the English speaking community in St. Jean Parish Deïdo-Douala, are raising money to build a new church. The project chairman says hundreds of millions are needed to complete the work.

Two sisters perpetually become Sisters, Servants of Mary, Ministers to the Sick

By Jude Abanseka

Sisters Hiltrudis Fola and Emmanuella Jikpu are the newest members of the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of Mary in Cameroon. The duo made their Final Profession on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at Immaculate Conception Parish Ngomgham.

First experience with New Roman Missal

By Emmanuel Verdzeka

Change, it is said, is good especially when it is positive. And when change comes, it is often seen as a mixed blessing because whatever good it brings, people find it hard to part with their old ways. Hence old habits die hard.

Exposing the Bush-Faller Syndrome

By Fr. Peter Foleng, SM

Bush faller

Growing up further in-land, like the North West Region of Cameroon where I grew up, in the 60s, 70s and the 80s, was an exciting experience. Those who had never left the countryside imagined the coastal areas of the South West and Littoral to be out of planet earth.

L'Effort Camerounais No. 517: From November 30 to December 14, 2011

Editorial: Reconciliation, Justice and Peace: 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 reconciliation, justice and peace 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!

Cardinal Christian Tumi receives yet another International recognition

By Grace Ongey

No end yet to his awards

Transparency International has designated Douala Emeritus Archbishop Christian Cardinal Wiyghan Tumi winner of the 2011 Global Integrity Award. The anti-corruption organisation, Transparency International, made the announcement public on November 24, 2011 in a ceremony the International Anti-Corruption Academy, IACA, hosted in Laxenburg, Austria, as part of the 11th European Partners Against Corruption (EPAC/EACN) Annual Professional Conference.

Pope writes to Christian Cardinal Tumi

Secretariat of State Vatican,                                                                                            November 10, 2011

First Section-General Affairs
    
Cardinal,

On the occasion of your feast day, I have the pleasure to send you this message from the Holy Father and Secretary of State:

Stand Up And Walk! Pope Tells Africa: As He Promulgates New Evangelical Commitment, Africae Munus

Pope Benedict XVI has just rounded off a three-day historic pastoral visit to Cotonou-Benin during which he signed and entrusted the Post Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Africae Munus, to the Church in Africa today. While dissecting the ills that have held back Africa’s spiritual, social, economic and political progress over several decades, the historic document, most importantly, charts out the path to obtain reconciliation, justice and peace in a regrettably conflict-ridden continent. L’Effort Camerounais was part of the historic event and revisits not only the salient points discussed, but also shares some memorable moments in pictures with you. Revisit the event as if you were there!

Africans receive Pope Benedict XVI with ecstasy in Benin

By Grace Ongey, special envoy to Cotonou

Can African leaders heed the Pope's call?

Pope Benedict XVI has called on Christians to be attentive to the cries of the poor, suffering and maginalised. He was speaking on November 20 while celebrating a Pontifical Mass on the Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, at Stade de L'Amitié in Benin.

Our Bishops and Christians speak!

Views sampled byGrace Ongey

Mgr. Joseph Atanga, President of National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon and Archbishop of Bertoua

I am happy and satisfied after the lovely Eucharistic celebration. Pope Benedict XVI reminded us of our mission to reconcile the world, promote justice in our societies and ensure that our people live in peace. This message is for everyone and it is left for us to render it effective and alive.

'Africae Munus' Calls for Reconciliation, Justice, Peace

Guidelines to reconciliation, justice and peace

The apostolic exhortation "Africae munus," published two years after the most recent synod on Africa, is the response to the 57 propositions offered by the synod fathers at the conclusion of their 2009 Assembly. The objective of the exhortation is to address the particular needs of the Church in Africa as determined throughout the course of the African synod.