Traditional rulers, Catholic Church bury hatchet after tensions

BAFOUSSAM, Cameroon (CNA)- Traditional rulers and the Roman Catholic Church in Cameroon’s West Region have pledged to work together and overcome recent tensions, according to a statement issued by Governor Awa Fonka Augustine on Thursday.

A Thursday’s reconciliation meeting in Bafoussam, chaired by Governor Augustine, aimed to bridge a months-long rift between the two groups.

“There was a misunderstanding, which has now been resolved,” Governor Augustine said. “Both parties understand the need for mutual respect and will carry out their duties without hindrance.”

HRM Tchio Maurice of Bamendjo, president of the West Region’s House of Chiefs, echoed the Governor’s sentiment, emphasizing collaboration and respecting each other’s roles.

“We clarified misunderstandings and set them aside,” HRM Tchio Maurice stated. “The Catholic Church has its work, and we traditional rulers have ours. We will both fulfill those roles.”

The Bishop of the Bafoussam Diocese, His Lordship Paul Lontsie Keune, represented the Church at the meeting while HRM Tchio Maurice led a delegation of over ten traditional rulers.

The tensions reportedly stemmed from a May 26th church service in Bafou, where a statement by His Lordship Keune allegedly offended traditional rulers. This led to retaliatory actions, with conventional rulers banning the Church from using traditional objects and barring authorities from entering Catholic churches.

This reconciliation effort paves the way for renewed cooperation between the Church and traditional authorities in Cameroon’s West Region.