L'Effort Camerounais (English Version)

Our Lady of Annunciation Parish Bonamoussadi celebrates 25th anniversary, parishioners called to be messengers of love

By Ireneaus Chongwain Chia

The metropolitan Archbishop of Douala, Mgr. Samuel Kleda, has called on the parishioners of Our lady of Annunciation Parish Bonamoussadi- Douala, to build a solid community of faith and to love one another as they gathered in their parish church on Sunday, April 27, 2013, to celebrate the parish's 25th anniversary.

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Views sampled by Grace Ongey and Ireneaus Chongwain Chia

Mgr. Samuel Kleda: Archbishop of Douala

What is important is the participation of all the faithful in this important event which marks the parish's 25th anniversary. One can see that Christians are committed in this parish and this can be seen through what they are doing. It is a self-reliant community and one that shares. Parishioners are working with their parish priest as reflected in this event and are coming up and realising many important projects that demand huge amounts of money and they are doing this all by themselves. I am very proud as these Christians are taking charge of their parish and preaching the good news even though they may not know. I thank them sincerely.

Our Lady of Annunciation Parish Bonamoussadi Silver Jubilee in Pictures

Archbishop Kléda releases anniversary dove

Bamenda civil authorities downplay CWA Memorandum

By Jude Abanseka

Fr. Humphrey Tatah blesses CWA women in front of governor's office

Civil administrators in Bamenda have given a deaf ear to a memorandum calling on the North West governor to spearhead the restoration of moral values and the respect of human dignity. The call was made on Thursday, April 25, 2013, at the governor's Office. Catholic Women Association, CWA, members in Bamenda Archdiocese through their executive, intended to hand over the memorandum to the governor at the end of a silent and peaceful march they  had organised in Bamenda.

Kumbo CWA protest against anti-life practices

By Emmanuel Verdzeka

Four Catholic Women Association, CWA, divisions in Kumbo Central Sub Division have staged a protest march against homosexuality, abortion and related ills. The April 25 protest march was also an occasion for the CWA to pray for the gift of life and call for more respect of human life.

Delivered from the Kingdom of Darkness

By Fr. Moses Tazoh

In her second year in Government Grammar School Molyko, Buea, Hortense Manthou dropped out. She could not meet her school needs. She would rather get into the world and fend for herself, she thought. With odd jobs she would support herself and her parents and six junior siblings. Her father was a poor farmer and her mother was epileptic and housebound.

Accept God's Healing Power

By Fr. Anthony Ndang Ndichia, mhm, Our Lady of Assumption Parish, Sasolburg, Kroonstad Diocese, South Africa

Jesus identies himself with the poor

It is said, "If you see something good you must narrate. That which is good is never finished". Yes, that which Jesus did is never finished. Jesus identifies himself with sinners, tax collectors, beggars, prostitutes.

LAMP FOR MY STEPS: The solidarity of the early christen community, A message of great urgency for all Christians

By Rev. Fr. Giles N. Forteh

"The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul …None of their members was ever in want" (Acts: 32-34). St. Luke presents a vivid description of the deep communion and sense of solidarity of the early Christians.

L'Effort Camerounais No. 552, From April 17 To May 01, 2013

38th Plenary Session of the Bishops of Cameroon: Final Communiqué

The National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, NECC, held its 38th Plenary Assembly, from April 07-13 in Yaoundé under the theme- Year of Faith, decreed by Pope Benedict XVI.  Douala Emeritus Archbishop Christian Cardinal Tumi, Archbishops and Bishops of Cameroon, Priests, Religious and the Laity, took part in the session.

Cameroon's National Episcopal Conference Now Has New President and Vice

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Douala, Mgr. Samuel Kleda has been elected President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, NECC, during the Bishops' 38th Plenary Assembly which held in Yaoundé from April 07-13, 2013. The Bishop of Kumbo, Mgr.  George Nkuo was also elected NECC Vice President. The new NECC President explains how he was elected and outlines some of his priorities during his mandate, while the Vice President goes beyond his election and throws more light on his diocese.  

"One of my priorities is harmonising the relations between the Church and the State” new NECC President, Mgr. Samuel Kleda

During their 38th Plenary Assembly, the Bishops of Cameroon elected the Metropolitan Archbishop of Douala, Mgr. Samuel Kleda as the New NECC President. The structure is not new to Mgr. Kléda as he has always been its Permanent Council member since becoming bishop and was once the NECC Vice President. Shortly after he was elected, Mgr. Kleda gave his impressions to L'Effort Camerounais: Excerpts:

"We shall continue building the Church and working together” NECC Vice President, Mgr. George Nkuo

Interviewed by Gildas Mouthé

The Bishops of Cameroon recently elected the Bishop of Kumbo Mgr. George Nkuo as the Vice President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, NECC. We caught up with Mgr. Nkuo in Yaoundé after he was elected to comment on his new responsibility and a lot more: Excerpts:

"The Catholic Church in Bamenda Archdiocese is not expelling Bororos from any land," Archbishop Cornelius Esua

Interviewed by Jude Abanseka and Ireneaus Chongwain Chia

Le Septentrion newspaper recently published an article alleging that the Archbishop of Bamenda has teamed up with the government to expel Bororos from a grazing land on which the Church is planning to build the Catholic university. L'Effort Camerounais interviewed His Grace Cornelius F. Esua, to get his own side of the story: Excerpts:

Bamenda Archdiocese Records Vocation Boom

ByJude Abanseka

Concelebrating Bishops lay hands on candidates for ordination

The Auxiliary Bishop of Bamenda, Mgr. Agapitus Nfon has said for the first time in 36 years, the Archdiocese of Bamenda has recorded a vocation boom. He made the revelation on Wednesday, April 4, 2013, while preaching at the ordination Mass of nine new priests at St. Joseph Metropolitan Cathedral, Mankon.

His Eminence Christian Cardinal Tumi pays a two-day Pastoral Visit to St. Joseph Parish Bonaberi, Douala

By Doris Ebu Fankem

Douala Emeritus Archbishop, His Eminence Christian Cardinal Tumi, has paid a two-day Pastoral visit to St. Joseph Parish Bonaberi, Douala. The visit that started on Saturday, April 13, 2013, brought together parishioners in their uniforms to welcome their august guest.

Church calls second Year of Faith 46 years after first

By Jude Abanseka

It is 46 years since the Catholic Church observed a Year of Faith. Pope Paul I decreed the first in 1967.
Just as the current Year of Faith is to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the first was to commemorate the 19th Centenary of the martyrdom of SS. Peter and Paul the Apostles. A priest of Buea Diocese, Rev. Fr. Joseph Awoh, made the observation while presenting a talk on "Porta Fidei and challenges to the Faith in the light of the Catechism, that is, deepening of the faith."

Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province Launches own Catholic Catechism

By Jude Abanseka

Bishops of Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province.

The Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda have launched a new version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The voluminous document is known as the Catholic Catechism of the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province, which according to the Archbishop of Bamenda His Grace Cornelius Fontem Esua, has been adapted from the Catechism of the Catholic Church to the local context and reality.

Door to door express

By Fr. Anthony Ndang Ndichia, MHM

During my early years in High School in Jua Memorial College Njinikom, Cameroon , I had a part time job. It was a very lucrative job. It gave me some ready money, and I was able to buy the basic necessities of life.

The redemptive power of Suffering

Source: Precious Blood of Jesus, Douala

Everybody claims to know how to heal grief except those who actually experience it. Neither our education, nor our upbringing nor our experience can save us from suffering. This trial or cross can be very severe in certain cases. Age is no consideration.

LAMP FOR MY STEPS: Bless, don’t Curse

By Rev. Fr. Giles N. Forteh

A local enterprise recently organised an exciting farewell party in honour of a departing manager. This enterprise's thirty employees were determined to make a lavish party that befitted what they considered their boss's goodness and kindness.

L'Effort Camerounais No. 551, From April 03 To April 17, 2013

Editorial: Let Thy Will, Not Ours, Be Done

Catholic Church officials in Cameroon and the world have been warning the Faithful to guard against philosophies and practices that contravene their faith. Douala Emeritus Archbishop Christian Cardinal Tumi once attributed Cameroon’s present political and economic backwardness to the exclusion of God from our public space.

Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province celebrates Year of Faith

By Sr. Roseline Reuben and Nicole Blanche Iteinjoh      

Bishop Blushu blesses historic Year of Faith monument

From March 18 to 20, 2013, the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda celebrated the Year of Faith at Apatha Hill, Ossing, the Pallotine Missionaries evangelisation seat in 1912 in Mamfe Diocese.

Delegates share what they are doing to improve their faith this Year of Faith

Joachim Enoh: Mamfe Diocese

My impressions are very good. The congress was well organised and all the Bishops came to show how important the event was.  They are interested in seeing the faith grow. I have already started putting in place measures to help deepen my faith during this Year of Faith. I have just bought a copy of the Provincial Catechism and with my family; we shall study it to the finish. My faith and my family's shall surely improve greatly.

Incest Destroys Individuals And Families: Situation Alarming, Church Launches Prayer Crusade

Nowadays the society has become so permissive that people are finding it more and more difficult drawing a clear line between acceptable and deviant conduct. This has resulted in, among other consequences, a sexual promiscuity that is leaving many lives, especially those of children victims, devastated.  Incest is commonly defined as a sexual relationship among close family members, but it actually stretches wider than you may have imagined. So what can you do to keep your children and loved ones safe from this hydra? L’Effort Camerounais attempts an answer. 

Incest: the lurking family enemy, watching the warning signs

By Ireneaus Chongwain Chia

From a biblical standpoint, God refuses incestuous relationship as He forbids sexual relationships between consanguineous relations.  The book of Leviticus is particularly useful when examining incest in the Bible, but the New Testament also addresses the problem and its ensuing consequences.

Church condemns Incest that destroys Families and Individuals

By Fr. Moses Tazoh

The breakdown of family values, the disregard for human dignity and occult practices, have caused untold damage to many lives, especially the most vulnerable, children, through incestuous behaviour.

“Education at home, Church and school could help address the problem of incest,” Dr. John Chuwanga

Interviewed by Jude Abanseka

Most incest victims usually confide in the medical doctors treating them, if they decide to break the silence. L’Effort Camerounais asked a surgeon at Mount Mary Health Centre and Maternity Buea, Dr. John Chuwanga, to throw more light on incest from a medical and psychological standpoint. Excerpts:

Mgr. Lysinge announces opening of Monastery at Apatha Hill

By Jude Abanseka

The Bishop of Mamfe, His Lordship Francis Teke Lysinge, has invited the Monks of St. John the Evangelist to construct and run a monastery at the Apatha Hill in Ossing village in Mamfe. Bishop Lysinge disclosed this to some pilgrims on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at the start of a Eucharistic celebration at the Apatha Hill.

Empty yourself for God

By Anthony Ndang Ndichia, MHM, Our Lady of Assumption Parish, Sasolburg, Kroonstad Diocese, South Africa

One of the great miracles of nature is how the pregnant womb, small in itself, expands little by little to make room for the growing life within. “Our spiritual life is a constant cycle of emptying and filling, of dying and rising, of accepting and letting go.”

Sharing the faith: The Miracle Twins in Trust and Obedience

By Fr. Moses Tazoh    

Eukeria and her babies

Eukeria Tambeyong began her story by thanking God for her life. After her first child she skipped two years when she went back to school. After she completed her course, she intended to have a child, but she had a serious problem becoming pregnant.

LAMP FOR MY STEPS: The Lord is in charge

By Rev. Fr. Giles N. Forteh


In their daily experience, many find themselves treading the rocky path of the biblical Job. Battered by the storms and woes of this imperfect life, they pose fundamental theological and ethical questions. These are the anguished questions of faith, the love and might of God, the reality and logic of suffering, the triumph of goodness, and the apparent dominion of evil.

Staying in the Domus

Culled from the Moynihan Report

The new Pope's bedroom, published before the Conclave, when no one thought it would be the room the Pope would choose to remain in  
Everyone likes a home they can be comfortable in. And the new Pope is no exception. And he likes the Domus Santa Marta. He's comfortable there. And so, for the moment, Pope Francis will not move into the grand, majestic Apostolic Palace which overlooks St. Peter's Square, where every Pope since 1903 has lived.

L'Effort camerounais No. 550, From March 20 To April 03, 2013

Editorial: Pope Francis, the same today as yesterday

By Ireneaus Chongwain Chia

Pope Francis has put his humility on display during the first days of his pontificate, establishing a warmth and personal touch that have not been felt and seen within the Vatican for a very long time. Where his predecessor, Benedict XVI, set his personal mark through an exceptional theological astuteness, Pope Francis is demonstrably making his mark through his humility, simplicity and sense of humour and, quicker than may have been expected, is rapidly finding an acceptable mix between theology and social action. But while he forges on, his detractors are not asleep.

Resolutions World-wide Marriage Encounter Movement Bamenda Archdiocese on the threat to family integrity

-Meeting at the Pastoral Centre Bamendankwe at the end of the Original Week- End of March 8- 10, 2013,

- Considering the threats to the integrity of the family and society in the world today,

New MACACOS General Manager installed

From L to R: Paul Samangassou, Mgr. Kleda and Joseph Ndjomnyam

The new MACACOS general manager, Paul Samangassou, appointed recently has been officially installed into his function. He was installed on Friday, March 15, 2013, in a ceremony which the Metropolitan Archbishop of Douala and MACACOS Board of Administration President, His Grace Samuel Kleda, chaired.

Kumbo CMA Celebrates Feast Day

By Emmanuel Verdzeka

Catholic Men Association, CMA, members of Kumbo Cathedral Mission joined their counterparts in Kumbo Diocese to observe the Feast of St. Joseph, the association’s patron saint on March 17. The celebration started with a Holy Mass at the Kumbo Cathedral, with the Cathedral Canon, Rev. Fr. Joseph Lukong, officiating.

Cameroon Association of Catholic English-speaking Journalists created

By Grace Ongey

The Cameroon Association of Catholic English-speaking Journalists, (CACEJ), has seen the light of day in Douala. CACEJ is the outgrowth of a meeting that some Catholic English-speaking journalists held at the American Language Center, Douala, on Friday, February 22, 2013.