L'Effort Camerounais (English Version)

Who will remove the stone from the tomb for us?

By Fr Antoine de Padoue Chonang

That is the question the three women who had followed the tragedy of Calvary from afar were asking themselves, very early on Easter morning as they were going to the tomb to embalm the body of Jesus. Jesus was dead; they had no doubt about it. But something somewhere made them think - confusedly though! - that it was not the end of the one they had loved so much.

Rejoice, Christ is risen. He has conquered death. Alleluia!

The day after Palm Sunday

The donkey awakened, his mind still savouring the afterglow of the most exciting day of his life. Never before had he felt such a rush of pleasure and pride. He walked into town and found a group of people by the well. “I’ll show myself to them,” he thought. But they didn’t notice him. They went on drawing their water and paid him no mind.

Without Him, you're just an ass

Christian Cardinal Tumi: “My appointment does not require my permanent presence in Rome”

Interviewed by Sylvestre Ndoumou

On 2 February 2005, Pope John Paul II appointed Christian Cardinal Tumi as a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments. This new sign of the Holy Father’s confidence in the Archbishop of Douala led to many comments in the Christian communities. His Eminence throws light on the different aspects of his recent appointment, and at the same time, clarifies some unfounded information that was published recently by a local tabloid, La Nouvelle Expression. Excerpts:

Who’s next Bishop of Kumbo? Apostolic Nuncio opens floor for the Lay Faithful to choose

By Kingsley Fomunyuy Njoka

In the near future, the Diocese of Kumbo will hopefully receive a new bishop. This was the outcome of a meeting that brought the Apostolic Nuncio for Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, Mgr Eliseo Antonio Ariotti, face to face with the priests, religious and the lay faithful of the Diocese of Kumbo, on Friday March 18, at the Kumbo Cathedral Hall.

Memorable Visit: Communications Minister very impressed with MACACOS

Beau-Bernard Mutta Fonka

The new Minister of Communications, Pierre Mukoko Mbonjo, recently visited the Catholic communications house behind the Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral in Akwa, at the end of his first day of work in Douala. The tour "positively surprised" the minister.

MACACOS Director Martin Jumbam, receives the minister at the entrance of the communications complex

First-ever open heart surgery performed at Shisong Cardiac Centre, Kumbo

By Kingsley Fomonyuy Njoka and Dufe Godwin

A team of surgeons from Milan, Italy recently performed the first-ever open heart surgery in the Shisong Cardiac Centre. That was on Wednesday, 16th March, 2005.
Laying of the Foundation Stone: Capuchin Friar Fr Angelo Pagano of Ethiopia is flanked by San Donato Polyclinic Chaplain Don Claudio Maggioni and the Vicar general of Kumbo Diocese Fr Peter Watson, as he lays the first stone at the Cardiac Centre

Interview with Dr. Alesandro Geamberti

Italian cardiologist, Dr Alesandro Geamberti led a team of surgeons from Milan, Italy who performed the first-ever open heart surgery at the Shisong Cardiac Centre.Wednesday, 16th March, 2005. In the following interview  Dr. Geamberti talks about the operations and the future of the cardiac center. Excerpts:

Pomp, pageantry and fanfare characterised Diocesan Youth Day

By Aloysius Agendia

The Archdiocese of Douala instituted the Diocesan Youth Day as a prelude to Holy Week as a way to revive in the youth the spirit and memory of the Passion of Christ, so as to help them understand that Easter is not just another feast day - not just another opportunity for them to make merry and perhaps go dancing, but that it is the heart of  our our faith.

Colourfully dressed youths animated the Lectionary procession

A new Dawn for Central African Republic?

By Jovian Shemlon

All eyes on me: Bozizé casting his vote in Bangui. A lot indeed depends on him

Africa is a continent of tortured and tried countries, with the average citizenry chocking in the iron grip of unconcerned leaders who have no regard for their welfare. From the infamous Idi Amin of Uganda, through the abominable King of Zaire, to the ridiculous Emperor Bokassa, these men and others like them forced and are still forcing their countries into debilitating civil wars, through long purposeless reigns akin to monarchies.

Life’s Like That! Gendarme officer conned by a “stupid” driver on the highway

By Emmanuel Sanosi

The highway provides over four times what a policeman or gendarme receives on his payslip every month. Some of them have built mansions with 'road-tax' money...

Kwanta Elias is an unassuming middle-aged native of the North West Province, who has been plying the highways of the country for more than 20 years today. Always projecting an image of defeat and resigned acceptance of the 'wicked conspiracy' of life against him, he goes about his daily business of transporting people without any evident care of what's happening around him - unless it concerns cash - that which he receives or that which he's obliged to spend.