Mgr Samuel Kleda calls for solidarity and mutual assistance in our Church

+ Mgr Samuel Kleda
Vice Presidnet NEEC

In the closing speech of the 33rd Assembly of Bishops of Cameroon, the Vice President of the Episcopal Conference, Mgr Samuel Kleda made a call for more solidarity and mutual assistance in our Church. Here is the full speech: Your Excellency Mgr the Apostolic Nuncio, Your Excellencies, the Archbishops and Bishops of Cameroon, Dear collaborators, Brothers and sisters,

We have come to the end of the deliberations of the 33rd Assembly of Bishops of Cameroon. I would like to thank you for your assiduous participation in the deliberations in the Commissions and in the debates which enabled us to take cognizance of our mission, especially of the task we are supposed to accomplish. This (Saturday) morning, you even accepted to continue the meeting in camera, in order to examine all the items on the agenda. Thank you very much!

I give thanks to the Lord for the strength that his Spirit of wisdom and advice has given us, for we can rely on our intellectual, theological and biblical talents, but "If the Lord does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless" (Ps127, 1) This conference took place in an atmosphere of sadness because of the road accident involving the Archbishop of Yaounde. But I think that you are as convinced as I am that God has heard our prayers because we have reassuring news from Paris where he was evacuated. I call on you to double your spiritual generosity in prayer, for the Lord to give him the health he needs to continue his work in our midst.

I have been amazed at the social and charitable work done by the Secretariat- General of the Episcopal Conference and BASC with the refugees of the Central African Republic and Chad. Cameroon has been spared until now from armed conflict, and for several years now, it has become a refuge of protection against the violence of war for the population of neighbouring countries. The difficulties these countries are facing constitute a challenge to our country and a request for us to promote peace. We are called upon to be vigilant so that our country, until now a haven of peace for the population of neighbouring countries in trouble, should be a real democracy as democracy is the basis of political stability in a State.

We are proud and grateful to our different services for the gesture of solidarity, though modest, that they have shown to our neighbours in trouble. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the following international organizations: MISEREOR, Catholic Relief Services and CARITAS Japan that assisted us during such moments. As a Church, we cannot be indifferent.

As you well know, refugees are a specific group of war victims forced by fighting to leave their usual places of residence to seek refuge in foreign countries. The Church is close to them not only through its pastoral presence and material assistance, as we have just seen, but also through its commitment to defend their human dignity. In his 1990 Lenten message, Pope John Paul II said these beautiful words: "the concern for refugees should spur us to reaffirm universally acknowledged human rights, to underscore its importance and to advocate the effective respect of the rights of refugees." I hail this particular attention to refugees as a strong message of peace from our country to its neighbours.
What our sub-region really needs is to promote a culture of peace and to build a society of truth, justice, law, equity, pardon and love. These are not just futile remarks. The Church is determined to make its own contribution in conformity with its mission, and the idea is to educate the people to behave responsibly in the interest of peace.

Then afterwards, all those in positions of leadership should be made aware that their mission is to serve the people and the commonweal which are prerequisites for lasting peace. It must be admitted that it is shameful that Africa is the only continent with the highest number of refugees at all times.

That is why I wish to seize this opportunity to appeal for solidarity between churches and parishes. After having talked at length about material and financial autonomy of our local churches, it is normal to accomplish it despite the difficulties each individual church is facing. Accomplishing it means that we should be able to share the little we have.

The first resource of our country, the first resource or our dioceses and parishes, is first of all its personnel. When we talk of sharing, that is where we have to begin. Mutual aid between our parishes cannot do without personnel assistance; by giving the dioceses the opportunity to profit from the skills of apostolic workers for example, "fidei donum priests."  Material assistance does not necessarily mean money; it can also mean giving away what we have in excess that can be useful to the neighbour.

Why could our dioceses not set as objective, assisting each other within the same Ecclesiastical Province by building a parish church or a presbytery? This may sound utopian but the future belongs to those who believe in what is vital for them.

The problem of state subvention to our private schools is a major concern which does not leave us indifferent. Yet, in the present situation we cannot ask parents to pay more school fees than they are paying now. We have to seek other solutions to the salary problem of our teachers. Considering the real difficulties teachers are facing, it is high time that we started the procedure and discussions with the government to respect its commitments with the private schools. Whatever be the case the problem is real and needs immediate solutions.

This difficult situation that our schools are facing reflects the climate of tension reigning in our country, testified by the events of last February which we deplored and which are signs of socio-economic malaise in our country.

During this session we have been made aware either through presentations, speeches or discussions amongst ourselves, of the danger of a popular uprising which risks spreading all over the country and the alarm has been raised by the events of last February. Should we wait for things to get worse or irreparable before acting? None of us wants such an eventuality.

If we have had the courage to condemn the unlawful acts, loss of human lives and the destruction of property, we have the moral and spiritual duty to acknowledge the malaise that has led to such acts and help the political, civil and military authorities to assume their responsibilities. That is the price to pay for the social cohesion and peace we have talked about at length.

Whatever the approach, appraisal, and criticism of the recent strikes in our country, we are convinced that the spirit of dialogue, reconciliation, and respect for each other is the only avenue to be encouraged. That those who have power in this country, those who are responsible for the commonweal of this country, should accept to analyse with objectivity the prevailing political situation and to face the real problems confronting each Cameroonian today: youth unemployment, the prices of foodstuffs that are inaccessible to the average income of most Cameroonian families and corruption that is a damper to real economic development. Providing solutions to these problems is the path to peace.

We all know that our country is going through one of the most delicate periods in its history. The strike of the month of February that led to a large number of deaths and material damage is an illustration. It is very important to take peaceful measures to avoid a repeat of such sad events in future. As such we have to build a just Cameroon that provides each Cameroonian with the conditions of his welfare and the opportunity to actively contribute to the development of his country. As we did in the letter we sent to all Cameroonians during the strike, we strongly condemn all use of violence as a means of expression or a means of restoring peace.

We are convinced that only the conversion of hearts and mentalities in the sharing of national wealth can guarantee peace. However attachment to peace should not prevent us from taking a critical look at the evolution of the social situation of our country. By ourselves, our efforts are vain, that is why we are imploring Mary, Queen of Peace and Patron of Cameroon to accompany our peacemaking efforts.

As we close our deliberations, I call on you to carry this message of peace to your dioceses and to remain vigilant to help the people of God under our responsibility, to recognize the signs of time. A prophet is not one who tells the future but rather the one who reads and analyses the present situation with lucidity to prepare for a better future.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency Antonio ARIOTTI, for welcoming us in his residence, and for the reception offered on this occasion. I would also like to wish every success to the Cameroonian Ambassador to the Holy See, His Excellency Antoine Zanga. I express my appreciation to all the speakers who made it possible for us to profit from the topics chosen for reflection during this assembly.
I dare think that they were very invaluable to you.

How can I not say a big thank you to the Canon Law lecturers of the Catholic University of Central Africa for the preparatory work of the ACERAC Assembly that will take place in the Central African Republic next June and July? Their contribution will be of great value to us on that occasion.

I equally thank all our collaborators who presented the reports of their respective services. I wish that they continue their mission in this spirit of family and mutual collaboration.

Allow me, on your behalf, to thank in a special manner, the sisters of la Retraite who received us here in John XXIII Centre. We have good memories of the catering and the quality of the cuisine.

While expressing once more my gratitude for all what you have done to ensure the success of this session, I declare closed the deliberations of the 33rd Assembly of Bishops of Cameroon.

Have a safe journey.

May the Lord guide you on your way back.

Thank you.