By Mildred Ndum Wung Kum
Archbishop Blessing Queen mother
Relationship has been strengthened between the Catholic Church in Bamenda Archdiocese and the Mankon Fondom. His Grace Andrew Nkea, Archbishop of Bamenda made a courtesy visit to Mankon palace May 11, 2022. What ensued was a review of the progress recorded in the past years with the zeal to transcend achievement.
The Archbishop paid homage to Fon Angwafo III Solomon Anyeghamotu Ndefru, paramount leader of Mankon village in the presence of a hilarious crowd. His Grace Andrew Nkea rendered thanks to the traditional leader whose land has seen a marked progress in the Catholic Faith including the establishment of the bishopric and Cathedral in Mankon land, the existence of parishes, schools and hospitals. Archbishop Andrew gave thanks to the Fon of Mankon for freely allocating land for the construction of several Church structures.
In a reciprocal mood of gratitude, the Queen mother Mafo Angwafo III on behalf of the Fon of Mankon commended the Catholic authority for the use of the Mankon language in evangelisation. His joy was summed up in the statement ” the visit is historic because this is the first time ever that an Archbishop of the Bamenda Archdiocese has visited the palace since the existence of the Catholic Church in the Mankon palace”
Fon Angwafo however made a plea for the Church to speed up development “I crave your indulgence to encourage and intensify the use of Mankon language in all Catholic churches in Mankon Fondom. Another worry is that much of the land I gave is still underdeveloped. For example Ntambeng, Ntankah, Alamatu etc aside the churches built on this land, secondary and technical schools and hospitals could be built on the remaining part of the land. ”
There was an in camera session with the Archbishop and the Fon.
At the palace the Archbishop celebrated Mass where he prayed for the people of Mankon and blessed the land. He called on them to love and encourage one another. He was visiting the palace in his capacity as Archbishop of Bamenda Archdiocese following his canonical possession in 2020