Five new monsignors in the Archdiocese of Bamenda have received the clerical vestments allotted to their title (the title of monsignor). This was on February 17, 2023 during a Eucharistic celebration at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral, Big Mankon. They are Monsignors Anthony Viban, John Bosco Ambe, William Neba, Michael Yuh and Michael Kintang who were hailed for their assiduous service in the priesthood.
His Grace Andrew Nkea, Archbishop of Bamenda was main celebrant at the event, he was joined by tens of concelebrants. Speaking at the ceremony, the archbishop congratulated the five, then he said the priests earned the title because “they have worked hard and the effect of their services has reached the ears of the Holy Father and he has decided to show them gratitude by this title”
Andrew Nkea, gave reasons that spurred Pope Francis to appoint them as monsignors; Monsignor John Ambe has been appointed monsignor because of his outstanding contribution to the formation of priests within the ecclesiastical province of Bamenda especially the time he was rector of the major seminary in Bambui.
Monsignor Michael Kintang has been appointed monsignor because of his solid commitment and diligent service to Catholic Education in the Archdiocese of Bamenda Monsignor for the past 25 years.
Monsignor William Neba has been appointed because of his hardwork and distinguished service to the Archdiocese of Bamenda from the time of Archbishop Paul Verdzecov till present day.
Monsignors Michael Yuh and Anthony Viban have been appointed for their faithful and distinguished services to God’s people as a priest and pastor for souls.
After noting the reason for the newly conferred title, the Archbishop exhorted the five newly appointed monsignors to be Serviceable. “The title of monsignor puts a priests closer to the Holy Father who is the servant of the servants of God so as monsignors you must consider yourself as servant of the servants of the servant of God” The Archbishop enjoined them.
The ceremony to vest the monsignors coincided with “the memorial of the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order”. The Archbishop thus called on monsignors to be like these founders who in their days rebelled against moral decadence. The new monsignors should guide God’s people against materialism, power mongering and worldliness. He went ahead to say they should embrace humility, constant prayer and love for the poor.
Turning to the laity who were present at the occasion, Archbishop Nkea made them to understand that the word “monsignor” is a title to a priest who has distinguished himself by exceptional service to the church. It is is a title granted by the Pope upon the recommendation of the priests and diocesan bishops. It is purely honorary and does not affect the priests duties or ecclesia assignments. The title is only requested for a priest who has reached the age of 65 years and must have a clean record of service to the church, including moral probity.
He said the title of monsignor comes with a bull of appointment signed by the Pope alone, thus without a papal bull of appointment anyone who claims to be a monsignor is an imposture and deceiving the people of God. As he continued, Monsignor Andrew Nkea said it is wrong to address a priest as monsignor when the said priest has not been officially appointed by the Pope.
During the Eucharistic celebration, the five were enrobed in the official clerical vestment of a monsignor. Each of them wore a black cassock with a purple stripe and purple buttons plus a purple sash.
The Christian community watched in amazement and then burst out in ululation as they saw the priests vested in the fashion of a new name.
Reverend Father Dickson Esah is two years old in the ministerial priesthood. He says he is moved by the ceremony he witnessed “Generally it was a good feeling which I had, seeing priests who have put in their best in the past years to see that the Diocese is where it is today. I think it is motivational in the sense that sometimes when your hardwork is being recognized, it serves as a push or a booster to the individual to make the person to commit himself to do more. I don’t desire any recognition, because the work i am doing is for God not for man. In that sense i should not do anything with a mindset that i should be recognized one day. But in carrying out my duty I do it with love and dedication and what ever comes i should always be happy, first that i did it for the glory of God not to satisfy man or pull attention but rather to do it for the sake of God who called me into this ministry. It was a wonderful day and I actually enjoyed it”
Valentine Tameh is a Christian of the Archdiocese of Bamenda. He says he witnessed an even that is honorary
“As a Catholic I believe in the magisterium, I believe in the order that reigns in church and I believe in hierarchy. We have the pope, the cardinals and we come down to the bishops and then to the priests.
We know that a majority of priests do not get ordained as bishops but many of them do quite a good job and so for those of them who distinguish themselves in different spheres of activities, if they are given an honorary title I think it’s just normal. While they are priests they are not completely divorced from reality. Lay people like titles and like being given titles. And at times we go extra length to get titles. As far as my faith is concerned, I believe that such meritorious award for distinguished service is necessary and it tells me that hardwork pays so even as a lay christian i should do my best to do work in a distinguished manner so that I should get God’s rewards and O should get man’s reward get man’s reward”
The monsignors who received their official vestments were appointed to the title by Pope Francis on November 26th, 2022.
By Mildred Ndum Wung Kum
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Well merited appointments for the five servants of God whom I know in person. May the good Lord continue to grace their efforts.