On The Track Of Pioneers: Homage to the builders of the Church which is in Nkongsamba

Source: The Diocese of Nkongsamba, Today and Tomorrow (SEDICO)

On December 8, 2004, the Diocese of Nkongsamba celebrated the 50th anniversary of its creation. In the pomp and pageantry of this great event, the pioneers of this apostolic entity were not forgotten. L'Effort camerounais pays them a vibrant homage. Even though it was officially created in 1955, the history of the Diocese of Nkongsamba actually goes way back to April 28, 1914, with the partition of the Apostolic Vicarate of Cameroon, which consecrated as well as gave birth to the Apostolic Prefecture of Adamawa in which the present-day Diocese of Nkongsamba was found. On 2nd February 1932, the Apostolic Prefecture of Adamawa changed its name and became known as the Apostolic Prefecture of Fumban, under the then leadership of Mgr Joseph Plissonneau.

When he left, Mgr Plissonneau handed over the Crosier to Mgr Paul Bouque, a tireless missionary, who led the Apostolic Prefecture with a rare pastoral solicitude, right up to its full maturity. On May 28, 1934, the Apostolic Vicarate of Fumban was created and from 1934 to 1955, the erection of a diocese in Nkongsamba became more and more imminent, and on January 9, 1947, the Apostolic Vicarate was split into two, forming Garoua to the North and Fumban to the South. The Vicarate was confided to the Sacred Heart Fathers of Saint Quentin, the first evangelists in the region, and with almost prophetic vision, Mgr Paul Bouque created the Minor Seminary of  Melong in 1936 for the training of future priests.


Mgr Paul Bouque: 1955-1964
In 1955, the Apostolic Vicarates of Ngaoundere, Fumban, Douala, Yaounde and Doume were erected into dioceses. On 14th September 1955 Pope Pie XII erected Fumban into the Diocese of Nkongsamba and named Mgr Paul Bouque as the first Bishop.
His love for Cameroon was only surpassed by that for the Diocese of Nkongsamba, for he accepted this pastoral responsibility during a particularly difficult period, due jointly to the political instability caused by the Maquis in the West, and oppression by the administrative authorities.
With the help of the Sacred Heart Missionaries, local priests and catechists,  Mgr Paul Bouque knew quite how to prepare the path for the evangelisation of the region, thanks to a social pastoral that was appreciated by all.
The construction of Catholic schools and hospitals as well as the training of local priests were at the top of his pastoral agenda, and after a well fulfilled mission, he retired in June 1964, handing over to Mgr Albert Ndongmo.

Mgr Albert Ndongmo: 1964-1973
Mgr Albert Ndongmo actually put the history of this diocese on the ecclesiastical and political map of Cameroon.
In August 1964, he was named the second Bishop of Nkongsamba followed by his consecration on August 16 that same year and it was a young bishop possessing an exceptional charism and a very strong personality who was now at the helm of the diocese's pastoral life.
Coming after  Mgr Paul Bouque, Mgr Ndongmo arrived Nkongsamba in an era when the  Maquisards were causing much trouble in the region, whose  activities were at a peak, with violent skirmishes with government troops. But the courageous new bishop was endowed with much apostolic zeal to shy away.
The Motto he adopted at his Episcopal ordination "Ite opportune, Inopportune!" ie, "Go and proclaim the Good News at all times" would illuminate his pastoral. He organised the diocese into deaneries, instituted pastoral councils and gave the laity a significant place in the Church.
Catholic education gained new impetus and hospitals multiplied. His economic pastoral was begrudgingly admired by all, even hardened sceptics, at the instigation of this celebrated saying: "We cannot go to heaven as if the earth does not exist".
Loyal to the recommendations of Vatican II, he created the Mungo Plastique, an establishment that generated funds for the well-being of the priests. He also planned to open two service stations, a bookshop, and other economic structures but these projects unfortunately, would never see the light of day due the deadly maltreatment he was subjected  to, by Ahidjo's government.
On August 16, 1970, Mgr Albert Ndongmo was returning from a trip in Europe and as he descended from the plane, he was apprehended by security agents and taken to a prison cell. The Yaounde regime accused him of collusion with the Maquisards who were preparing "a military takeover".
Without a bishop to oversee the affairs of the diocese, Rome named Mgr Georges Siyam as Apostolic Administrator of the diocese (from 1970 to 1972), when Mgr Thomas Nkuissi was appointment as the third Bishop of Nkongsamba.

Mgr Thomas Nkuissi: 1973-1993
January 29, 1973 found Mgr Thomas Nkuissi replacing Mgr Georges Siyam as Apostolic Administrator following his appointment by Pope Paul VI, and in April he was named the third Bishop of Nkongsamba.
Two years later, on January 28, 1975, he was consecrated and took up his pastoral with a similar loyalty to Vatican II Council like his former bishop. He put in place a proximity pastoral which experienced enormous success.
Always close to the faithful, Mgr Thomas Nkuissi regularly made pastoral visits of the diocese with the aim of creating new parishes to bring the Gospel closer to the faithful. He particularly stressed on the training of the lay faithful and inculturation was prominently practised with the liturgical promulgation of  the vernaculars of the diocese.
On 1st January 1993, Mgr Thomas Nkuissi went into retirement much to the protests of the People of God in that diocese. Rome then named the then Bishop of Bafoussam Mgr André Wouking, as Apostolic Administrator, from 1993 to 1995.

Mgr Dieudonné Watio: 1995 and counting
In April 1994, Father Dieudonné Watio, still a young priest of the Diocese of Bafoussam, took part in the Synod of Bishops of Africa which held in Rome.
Numerous observers discerned in him the qualities of a great pastor, a fact that became evident shortly after, for on 1st April 1995, Pope John Paul II named him the fourth Bishop of Nkongsamba. The fear of God, togetherness, dialogue and tolerance are the pillars of his pastoral leadership.
In 1996, he convened the 2nd Diocesan Synod under the theme: "Let us build our Church together". He accentuated the importance of the lay faithful taking up the economic responsibilities of the diocese.
Mgr Dieudonné Watio multiplied the income-generating projects for the diocese. Good management of the diocese is to him, a challenge that must be met, just like he does for the training of priests and their spiritual well-being. Catholic organisations are changing and the lay faithful occupy positions of responsibility in the Church.
In his heart, Mgr Dieudonné Watio nurtures the building of a true Church family of God in his diocese, as he distinctly outlined in his homily during the closing Mass of the 50th anniversary: "Your diocese would like to see you living fully your baptism so that this Church of God, which is in Nkongsamba should become a big family where love can be found and where justice and love combine for the glory of God.
Like a giant tree that touches the skies, planted amidst men, the Church in Nkongsamba feeds on God's sap, and asks its sons and daughters to let it guide them to the Kingdom of peace and love". The celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of  Nkongsamba made it possible for the people of God who are in this diocese to pray not only for their pioneer bishops whom the Lord have taken back to Him, but also for the one who, through the grace of God, is with them today: Mgr Dieudonné Watio.

Comments

[Joe]

Where did these informations come from?
who told you guys that the most reverend Thomas Nkuissi was consacrated to the episcopacy on jan 28, 1975?

[Martin Jumbam]

Joe, if the date of the consecration of Mgr. Thomas Nkuissi, which we've posted here is not correct, and if you have the correct one, why not give it to us? We can all learn from it. Thanks for visiting our weblog. We hope to get the correct date from you soon. God bless.

[Joe]

OK, Most reverend Thomas Nkuissi was consecrated on April 15 1973 in Rome by Agnelo cardinal Rossi then prefet for the sacred congregation for the evangelization on the people. hope this will help. Thanks

[Martin Jumbam]

Joe, we stand corrected. Due note is taken of the correct date of the consecration of the Most Reverend Thomas Nkuissi, Emeritus Bishop of Nkongsamba, i.e., April 15, 1973 not January 28, 1975, as we wrongly wrote. God bless.