From the 15th to the 21st of April, 2007 the Bishops of Cameroon met at the John XXIII Centre, Mvolyé, for their 32nd Plenary Assembly.
His Grace, Mgr. Victor Tonye Bakot, Archbishop of Yaounde and President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC) presided over the meeting, which held under the theme, "The Economic Life and the Management of Our Parishes and Dioceses." The theme was chosen to enable bishops to undertake a practical evaluation of past measures taken in the domain of management. It was also intended to serve in the preparation of the meeting of the Association of the Episcopal Conference of Central Africa scheduled in Bangui in 2008.
On the eve of the Plenary Assembly, the Bishops took part in the launching of a book by Christian Cardinal Tumi entitled, "The Political Regimes of Ahmadou Ahidjo and Paul Biya, and Christian Tumi, Priest." In his welcome address, Mgr Patrick Lafon, Secretary General of the National Episcopal Conference, who has come to the end of his mandate after 15 years of service, thanked God and expressed gratitude to the Apostolic Nuncio, Mgr Eliseo Antonio Ariotti, the bishops and their collaborators, for the work that has been jointly achieved over the years and the confidence bestowed on him. The Apostolic Nuncio took part in the opening ceremony. In his address he reiterated the need for more communion and Episcopal collegiality. He also encouraged the Church in Cameroon to ensure, more than ever before, the transparent management of church property, and vigilance with regards to all that deals with issues related to the sacraments.
While opening the Plenary Assembly, the President of the National Episcopal Conference congratulated Mgr Immanuel Bushu on his appointment as Bishop of Buea in January 2007, and Mgr Christophe Zoa, consecrated Auxiliary Bishop of Yaounde in February, 2007. After undertaking a synthesis of past meetings that were related to the management of Church property, Mgr. Bakot stressed the need for different parishes and dioceses to set up control and management structures as enshrined in the Ecclesiastical Law. He then insisted on the management of the human person stating that it is imperative that emphasis be laid on ethical and moral upbringing in the present society. Following all the depravities our society has been subjected to as a result of the deviant conduct of certain media organs, the bishops seized the opportunity to appeal that a law be elaborated to regulate social communication.
As deliberations progressed, the bishops followed with much interest, the preliminary exposé presented by Fr Jean Marie SIGIE, Head of Department of Canon Law at the Catholic University of Central Africa. After the exposé, the bishops listened to a synthesis of provincial responses to a questionnaire in preparation for the ACERAC meeting that will take place in Bangui under the theme, "Good Management in the Church." A good number of resolutions were taken after these exposés. Meeting behind closed doors, the reports of the various Episcopal commissions enabled the bishops to better appraise the functioning of the services of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC) and prescribed measures to improve on the performance of the different services.
An exposé by Mrs. Jennifer NAZAIRE, the Resident Representative of the Catholic Relief Services in Cameroon (CRS), enabled the bishops to have a clearer picture of the relationship between the Church in Cameroon and CRS and to envisage new cooperation avenues. Other subjects were also examined by the bishops. The following major resolutions were reached: -The next seminar for bishops will take place in Edea under the theme: "Evangelisation and Social Engagement." This theme shall be jointly prepared by the Church in Cameroon and Germany. -L'OCASC will draw a national action plan in collaboration with CORDAID. This plan will be forwarded to the bishops.
-For the elaboration of the internal rules and regulations of the NECC, a commission that will he headed by the Legal Affairs Commission of the NECC will be put in place. It shall benefit from the expertise of the Department of Canon Law of the Catholic University of Central Africa. -The National Service of Justice and Peace has published a manual on citizenship. This book will be included amongst other school manuals in Catholic schools. -The bishops also took note of the ongoing democratisation process. They expressed satisfaction with the progress that has been made with regards to the measures undertaken by the government and other socio-political forces in the country.
They expressed for Cameroon to adopt a unique electoral code and appealed that Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) which is being put in place; should handle the organisation of upcoming elections.
Finally, the bishops re-elected:
1. Mgr Victor Tonye Bakot: President of the NECC, and elected
2. Mgr. Samuel KLEDA: Vice President of the NECC.
They appointed:
1. Fr. Joseph AKONGA ESSOMBA as the new Secretary General of the NECC
2. Prof. Pierre TITTI NWEL as the National Coordinator of Justice and Peace
3. Mr Sylvanus SHULIKA Binla as Head of the Public Affairs in BASC
The following are members of the Permanent Council:
-Mgr. Victor Tonye Bakot, President
-Mgr. Samuel KLEDA, Vice President
-Mgr. George Nkuo, Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province
-Mgr. Eugene JURETZKO, Bertoua Ecclesiastical Province
-Mgr. Dieudonné BOGMIS, Douala Ecclesiastical Province
-Mgr. Joseph DJIDA, Garoua Ecclesiastical Province
-Mgr. Adalbert NDZANA, Yaounde Ecclesiastical Province
-Fr. Joseph AKONGA ESSOMBA, Secretary General NECC
-Pr. Vital Pierre NKENLIFACK, Assistant Secretary General NECC
The Episcopal commission put in place during the Kribi conference went operational immediately after the plenary assembly. On behalf of all the bishops, the President of the NECC heartily thanked Mgr. Patrick LAFON for the numerous services rendered to the church - 5 years as the Assistant National Secretary for Education, and 10 years as the Secretary General of the National Episcopal Conference. He wished him a fruitful pastoral mission wherever he will be sent. The President equally congratulated the newly appointed and exhorted the Almighty to grant them success in their mission. Finally, he thanked all those who worked to ensure the success of the Plenary Assembly.
Done in Yaounde, on April 21, 2007
Secretary General
Mgr. Patrick Lafon
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