Interviewed by Claude Zeba
Slightly more than a year after being installed into his function at the National Episcopal Conference, Fr Jean-Claude Saidou Nibabel spoke to L'Effort Camerounais, not only to comment on the Church's financial state of affairs in Cameroon, but also to react to burning developments in the Church in Cameroon.
Father, one year ago you were appointed to the treasury department of the National Episcopal Conference. What is your assessment of work at the National Episcopal Conference one year after?
To be more precise, it is slightly more than a year that I was appointed. How time flies! I am lucky to be working with collaborators who are competent and available. We are also being supported by a hierarchy that is very attentive. Another happy coincidence is that when we arrived at NECC, competent authorities audited the structure. This permitted us not only to know our exact point of departure, but also to make certain proposals that are presently being implemented. About the assessment of our work one year after, or even about our vision, the present context will not permit us to give an exhaustive assessment sheet.
What still remains to be done at NECC's treasury department?
My parents and teachers have taught me that as long as there are still things to be done, nothing has been done yet. We are just beginning. Our wish is to make a maximum effort, as the bishops have prescribed, to put in place an effective and efficient centralised management system for NECC. It is a continuous task which our predecessors started, which we are pursuing and which those who will come after us will continue with. No segment should be faulty in the chain.
What is the state of NECC treasury at the moment?
I suppose you are referring to the general treasury situation of NECC. In collaboration with the accountants of different NECC services and under the surveillance of the Secretary General who reports to the bishops, we are following up the daily management of NECC services. This management approach is done against a centralisation backdrop, or if you prefer, management within a "Family Church," to use a more appropriate term, of all NECC resources. Hierarchy having completed the recruitment of accountants in all services, all of them, those newly recruited as well as the old ones, including even heads of services, are being trained on the use of accounting software, centralised payment system, the elaboration and follow up of the budget- all these in view of the harmonisation and centralisation of NECC resources. Haphazard management is not good.
During your installation last May, NECC's Economic and Judicial Affairs Commission president instructed you to ensure the training of accountants and to optimise the control of the Church's material and financial resources. Do you think you are on course?
The process is following its course. Perhaps you are referring to the training of diocesan accountants? If the need is expressed and hierarchy informed, we are ready to render our services anyway in the Church.
Pope Benedict XVI last May 31 named Mgr Barthélemy Yaouda Hourgo as the Bishop of Yagoua. How did you receive the news?
Sincerely, without surprise! The Holy Spirit, we have been taught, cannot make mistakes. When I heard of the appointment, even before calling Mgr Yaouda, I went to Church and I prayed and offered the event to God. I think it is a great sign of our time from above. Now that God and the Church have done their part, it is our turn now. We have to support this young shepherd not only through our prayers, but also materially and morally, and "ad majorem Gloriam Dei."
Jean claude content de trouver sur le net ton erit dans l'effort cameroon. C'EST pour te faire signe de mon arrive en italy .
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