L'Effort Camerounais (English Version)

There’s a thin but firm line separating Good from Right

Emmanuel F. Sanosi

Way back during World War I when the British won a bloody battle against the Germans at Ypres in the Flanders, the House of Commons was jubilating for Britain now had control of a strategic corridor. It took a renowned British Statesman just one glance at the casualty figures from that battle to curse out loud: “All it takes for the world to go bad is for good men to do nothing”, for the British had sacrificed 32.000 troops to gain control of that corridor of land.

Bamenda Archdiocese: Father Paul hands over the Crosier to Father Cornelius

Kingsley Fomunyuy Njoka

The Saint Joseph Metropolitan Cathedral Big Mankon, Bamenda, recently witnessed a rare occasion. Archbishop Paul Verdzekov was handing over the Crosier to Archbishop Cornelius Fontem Esua, who, for just over a year, had been Co-Adjutor Archbishop of Bamenda following his appointment by the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, on 6th December, 2004. The ceremony started with a Solemn Mass that was presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to  Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea Mgr Antonio Eliseo  Ariotti, with about 16 Cameroonian bishops and archbishops con-celebrating.
(The picture above shows a beautifully dressed goat, one of the many parting gifts that Christians brought for Father Paul).

Greetings from the Diocese of Portsmouth

The Bishop of Portsmouth, on behalf of his diocese, also sent a message of greetings, for circumstances did not permit him to be present in person. The Diocese of Portsmouth has been in partnership with the Diocese of Bamenda in several developmental and spiritual projects for many years now.

Dear Archbishop Paul,
Dear Archbishop Cornelius,
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I had dearly hoped that I would have been able to be present to celebrate with you all as Archbishop Paul hands on his Crosier to Archbishop Cornelius, but circumstances have not allowed me to come.

Message of greetings from the Bishop of Limburg

+ Franz Kamphaus
Bishop of Limburg

Dear Cornelius,

My heart of is filled with joy to congratulate you to be installed as the Archbishop of Bamenda on the 23rd January 2006. This step acknowledges your permanent commitment for and among the Christians of the North West Province of Cameroon to spread the good news to the poor as the gospel guide us.

A word from the Bishops of Cameroon

Among the glowing messages that gave testimony to the extraordinary character and humble leadership of  Archbishop Paul Verzdekov, was that of the Bishops of Cameroon, which was delivered Mgr Jerôme Mimboe, Vice Chairman of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon. It reads:

His Excellency Paul Verdzekov Responding to your kind and fraternal invitation, the Archbishops and Bishops of Cameroon coming directly from Nguelemendouga for their last meeting have gathered here in Bamenda.
In fact, yesterday, 22nd January 2006, you celebrated your 75th anniversary and, we have come to wish you once more ‘Happy Birthday’. May the almighty God give you many more years and good health so that you may remain at his service and that of our Church.

Homily given by the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, Mgr Antonio Eliseo Ariotti

Here is the homily delivered by the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, Mgr Mgr Antonio Eliseo Ariotti, during the Solemn Mass for the handing over of the Crosier by Archbishop Paul Verdzekov to Archbishop Cornelius Fontem Esua. It reads:

1 Kings 8:55-61; 1 Cor 1:3-9; Jn 10: 1-18

Your Grace, Right Reverend Paul Verdzekov, Archbishop of Bamenda,
Your Grace, Right Reverend Cornelius Fontem Esua, Coadjutor;
Your Excellencies Archbishops and Bishops, here present;
Dear Brother Priests,
Religious men and women;
Civil, Administrative, Political and military authorities;
Traditional Chiefs;
Dear Brothers and Sisters of Bamenda:

As the very word “Eucharist” means “thanksgiving”, whenever we celebrate the mysteries of God, we give thanks to Him for all His gifts and especially for the sum and summit of all: the person and mission of Jesus Christ, His Son, our Lord and Saviour.

“I am among you as a father and as a brother”

+ Mgr Cornelius  Fontem Esua
New Archbishop of Bamenda

Your Excellency, the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon
Your Excellencies the Archbishops and Bishops of Cameroon
Your Excellency, the Governor of the North West Province
Civil and Political Leaders
Traditional Rulers
My dear brothers and sisters,

Introduction
1. I praise and thank Almighty God, the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, because “Before the world was made, he chose us, chose us in Christ, to be holy and spotless, and to live through love in his presence, determining that we should become his adopted sons, through Jesus Christ for his own kind purposes, to make us praise the glory of his grace, his free gift to us in the Beloved, in whom through his blood we gain our freedom, the forgiveness of our sins. 

Biographies: Two men who could have been one

Mgr Paul Verdzekov:
Father Paul Verdzekov was born on Thursday January 22nd 1931 at Shisong to Papa Paul Bara and Mama Francisca Viyoy. He is the last and only surviving son to his parents. He was baptised on Sunday 25th of January 1931 by Rev. Fr. Jon Scott (MHM).

His earliest memory:
The arrival of the pioneer group of Franciscan Sisters at Shisong on October 16th 1935.Education
He went to Infants I in 1937 at the Shisong convent and was taught by Rev. Sister Dorothy Wild.
In 1938 he attended infants class two at the Sacred Heart Boys' School Shisong and was taught by Pa Vincent Lainjo.
In 1939 he attended standard one at the boys school Shisong - teacher - Anthony Tala.
In 1940 Standard II - boys school Shisong - teachers - Chrysantus Yange and Sister Scholastica Breitenberger.
In 1941 standard three - boys school Shisong - teacher - Bernard Nsokika Fonlon.
In 1942 standard four - boys school Shisong - teacher -William Lebaga.
In 1943 standard five - boys school Shisong - teacher - John Nganje.
In 1944 standard six - boys school Shisong - teacher - Isidore Irvine Diyen.

An address by Christians of the Archdiocese of Bamenda

The entire Catholic Community of the Archdiocese of Bamenda had a warm words of appreciation and gratitude for Father Paul, whom they said they could never thank enough. They welcomed Father Cornelius wholeheartedly and said that they felt specially blessed to have him among them, especially as he had already shown them, during the past one year or so, that he would be a loving father and friend, just as he himself reiterated in his address to them. The message was presented by Nicholas Ade Ngwa, for and on behalf of the Christian Community of the archdiocese. It reads:

“Bamenda Archdiocese has a history like no other”

Source: Diocesan Archives

The today, 35-year-old, Archdiocese of Bamenda was created on August 13th 1970, by Pope Paul VI of blessed memory during the 8th year of his pontificate. The decision to create a dioceses of Bamenda with territory detached from the diocese of Buea was arrived at in accordance with the opinion of the Sacred Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples (Propagation of the Faith) after consultation with Archbishop Ernest Gallina who was then the Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to the Republic of Cameroon.