Bishops want gov’t to model nation after Church in walking together

By Nchendzengang Tatah

The Catholic Bishops of Cameroon, meeting in Buea for their 48th Annual Seminar, are aiming for a more inclusive church, where everyone walks together. The clergymen also wish for government to create an inclusive society where there is ample room for the voices of ordinary Cameroonians.
The bishops made this remark on January 7, during the official opening ceremony of their weeklong deliberations, under the theme “Synodality”, a Catholic word with Greek origins that translates to ‘journeying together’.
The event, which was attended by both sitting and retired bishops from the 26 dioceses of Cameroon, as well as other clergy, also saw the presence of the South West Governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai, and his collaborators.
In his address, the President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, Archbishop Andrew Nkea, called on Cameroonians to take responsibility for the nation and to fulfill their own roles. “There is too much hypocrisy in Cameroon. Everybody is calling on the other to act. Please, every Cameroonian should take their responsibility,” said the Bamenda Archbishop.
Archbishop Nkea reminded his audience that the destiny of the country lies in the hands of everyone. By playing their part at the micro level, the prelate believes the entire nation will take a positive shape. He explained that this is the essence of “Synodality,” which is about moving together. “We hope for a better future, a better country, and more uprightness in the things we do. Let Cameroonians not lose hope,” he added.
Archbishop Kleda’s Remarks
Archbishop Samuel Kleda, who has been calling for incumbent 92-year-old President Paul Biya to retreat from the upcoming elections, stated that his advocacy is for the peace and prosperity of Cameroon. He made this comment shortly after the ceremony. According to Archbishop Kleda, the role of the church is to seek solutions to pressing societal issues. The church, he emphasized, must be at the service of the community and is obligated to push for change. The Douala Archbishop also underscored the need for peace ahead of the 2025 presidential elections, as well as the importance of free and fair elections. “Cameroonians need to prepare and make their choices; they should not be imposed upon,” he concluded.
Synodality for Cameroon
“We want to see how solidarity is a criterion for efficiency in our church,” explained Mgr. Sosthène Léopold Bayemi, the Bishop of Obala. The prelate elaborated that the Church in Cameroon, like the global Roman Catholic Church, is intensifying discussions on walking and deciding together—a movement that, he said, brings together people from all walks of life.
The man of God mentioned that the choice of hope as the underlying message of their preaching in 2025 was universal, in line with the traditional Jubilee Year once every 25 years, as announced by the Pope. “The message is for everybody, from the head of state to the catechist. Each of us has the capacity to improve something,” Bishop Sosthène affirmed. Speaking as a prophetic voice, the bishops of Cameroon want the government and the people of Cameroon to walk together into the future through participatory development.