"The best thing for a human being is to have knowledge and awareness of God's existence"

says Dominique Morfaw

Interviewed by Franckline Benjika
Dominique Morfaw is the catechist of St Joseph Parish Mvog-Ada, which is the pioneer Anglophone parish in the Yaounde Archdiocese. He has been a catechist since 1987. Despite the fact that a lot of people dread this profession due to miserable salaries, Dominique Morfaw has remained steadfast in the profession. Few will believe this, but he says he lives exclusively from the profession. He now provides a better insight into a profession many despise. Excerpts: 

Why did you choose to become a catechist?

To be a catechist is a vocation in life. When people grow up they choose different things to do. A catechist is someone who brings the word and love of God to people. I think the best thing for a human being is to have knowledge and awareness of God's existence. If I am able to be that channel, then that is the best job in the world. That is why I am a catechist.

Since when have you been in the profession?

I have been in the profession since 1987 when I came to Yaounde as a university student from the Seat of Wisdom College, Fontem. Before then I had always loved to put the word of God into practice.  When I got to Yaounde I attached myself to Rev Sisters who were doing catechism. From the first year I got to the university, I began teaching doctrine and preparing children for First Holy Communion. I received training from some American Sisters.  That got me very interested in the profession as I was fulfilled.

Do you have any other job on the sidelines?

I believe when you say a job on the sideline you mean a job that will give me more remuneration? If that is the case, I will tell you that I have no other job. Nevertheless, I do a lot of things apart from being a catechist. I have a 30-minute radio programme which I present over CRTV. Thanks to background knowledge in sociology and psychology, I do a lot of counselling even beyond the Church community. That is how I occupy myself when I am not teaching doctrine and working for the Church.

Can you give me your job description as a catechist?

Every afternoon from about 4 to 10pm I am very occupied. During this period I prepare Christians for the various Sacraments. Others come to me with different problems. There is also time for the regular Mass which comes up everyday as from 5.30pm. I make sure that every thing is set for Mass to be said hitch free. After Mass Christians come up to me with their contribution cards. Others with more complicated problems pass through me to meet priests in the parish. 
Some mornings I fill Baptism Cards or prepare for meetings that will take place in the evening. The weekends are more tedious because that is when I teach doctrine classes. I equally dress the Altar. If there is any sacrament previewed, I equally make sure everything on the Altar is set as prescribed.

With such a difficult task when do you envisage your retirement?

As soon as I realise that my body cannot carry me any longer and that I can no longer perform my services efficiently. I will do justice to myself by retiring.

What are some of the most undesirable situations you have experienced in your job?

The undesirable situation comes when you prepare people for their sacraments but they do not succeed to receive the sacrament not necessarily because they are dull but because of family problems or lack of financial means. At times a couple fails to wed in Church because of materialism. Another aching situation is when you discover that a person you have taught is loosing his or her faith. After receiving the basic sacraments some people stop going to church for no good reason.

What gives you the passion you have for your job?

The joy to bring Christ and love to people and to make them understand that happiness cannot only be derived from material wealth. Happiness is being able to recognise Christ in the other person. A number of people dread the job of a catechist because the pay package is low.

Is your salary encouraging?
Many people think the job of a catechist is not prestigious. I think that is wrong because such people think in terms of remuneration. All the same, I think a catechist is a very wealthy person because I cannot count the number of people I have brought up spiritually. The respect these people give to me makes me feel rich and happy. In the St Joseph Parish in Mvog-Ada a catechist's working condition is encouraging; not just in terms of money but in terms of the love and recognition Christians display. I may not have a huge pay package, but if I have a problem I assure you my problem will be solved faster than that of somebody who is richer than I. 

What to you is the difference between a catechist in the village and a catchiest in town?

Those are two different worlds. In the village there is a lot of generosity. There is Catechist Day back in different villages where people bring him food and other gifts. In the village the catechist's children go to school free and Christians even go as far as helping him in the farm. In some parishes he is given a house.
Some of the great people in this country have been children of catechists. In fact these children had the privilege to go to school because their fathers were catechists. What I am saying, in essence, is that the catechist in the village in terms of care and concern is better than the catechist in town. A catechist in town may have a better pay package but his standards of living will be lower than that of a catechist in the village. Urban demands and needs greatly outstrip those of the rural milieu. The cost of living is relatively cheaper in the village.

What if you are transferred in the village?

I will happily work anywhere. But if I go to the village today, most of the talents I have developed in town will be wasted.

Interviewed by Franckline Benjika

Comments

[DANGO TUMMA]

no sir, the best thing for a human beeing is to have knowledge , and to use that knowledge for the development, and well beeing of others. for the glory of god.