EPISCOPAL TRANSITION IN BAMENDA: RETIRED ESUA HANDS CROSIER TO NKEA

BY MILDRED NDUM WUNG KUM

Cornelius Fontem Esua passed possession of Bamenda Archdiocese to his successor. The sacred moment to induct Andrew Fuanya Nkea as third metropolitan of Bamenda Archdiocese ignited jubilation, leaving imprint on the archdiocese’s history as the time of episcopal transition.

The high point was presentation of the bull of appointment, the handing of the Crosier and the cathedra. This was witnessed by hundreds including bishops, priests, religious, consecrated men and women, civil, political and religious leaders who all turned out at the St Joseph Centenary Piazza, 22nd February 2020.

It took place during a Holy Mass in the presence of His Grace Julio Murat, the Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea representing Pope Francis, while Cameroon’s president was represented by Paul Atanga Nji, Minister of Territorial Administration.

At the ceremony, Andrew took the crosier, a symbol of his pastoral ministry being Chief Shepherd. He was handed the cosier from Cornelius in the presence of the Nucio.

Andrew then sat on the cathedra, the chair made from furniture that symbolises his teaching role.

At the accomplishment of the rites, bishops and priest at the event come in fraternity kissing the ecclesiastical ring of the most Reverend Andrew Fuanya Nkea. This is followed by a mood of conviviality with the newly installed archbishop blessing each and every segment of the crowd witnessing the occasion.

Andrew aided by the Nuncio takes the crosier from Cornelius

His Lordship George Nkuo, bishop of Kumbo Diocese enjoined the new Archbishop to his call “The purpose of a bishop is to be a father to his people, a brother to his Priests and consecrated men and women and wife to his witness of Jesus to the world. That is the duty entrusted to Andrew as he assumes duty as Archbishop of Bamenda”

The incoming Archbishop in a statement to the press pledged commitment to the needs of his flock “I am going to do everything within my powers so that the hatred, the killing, the violence should stop”

As he signed out from the office of Archbishop, emeritus archbishop Cornelius Fontem Esua thanked the people for their collaboration. He also called on the flock to support his successor whom he described as young, dynamic and wise.

Andrew Fuanya Nkea takes over from Cornelius Fontem Esua as the third chief shepherd of Bamenda after his predecessors Cornelius Fontem Esua and late Paul Verdzekov.

He assumes ministry in a diocese erected on 13^th August 1970 by St Pope Paul the sixth.

The Diocese is currently being plagued by a socio political crisis diffused into the Church from the country’s unjust social and political trend.

All eyes are raised to His Grace Andrew Fuanya Nkea as he comes into the embattled Archdiocese.

The Archdiocese of Bamenda is conterminous with five divisions of the Northwest region; Boyo, Mezam, Momo, Menchum and Ngoketunjia. It has an area of, 11000000 square meters, a population of 1.5000000 persons with about 600,000 Catholics.

There are about 156 diocesans and religious priests, currently saving across the parishes of the archdiocese.

It has the pastoral, presbyterial, laity, health and education councils.

There are fifteen functional commissions in the archdiocese, 330 primary schools, 15 secondary schools, a university and seven health care centers.

THE EVENT IN PICTURES