Rev. Fr. John Kubuo passes on to glory

By Jude Abanseka

After several months of illness, Rev. Fr. John Kubuo died at the St Elisabeth Catholic General Hospital, Shisong on May 2, 2009, where he had been rushed to, for further treatment, from the Regina Pacis Health Centre, Mutengene.

 

In his homily during the funeral Mass at the Buea Cathedral, on Wednesday May 06, 2009, the co-celebrant and Bishop of Kumbo Diocese, His Lordship George Nkuo, paid tribute to the fallen priest. He said it is sad that while some people live long, others live just for a short time.

Referring to their batch as an endangered species, Mgr George Nkuo said in 1981, the Bishop Emeritus of Buea, His Lordship Pius Awa, ordained four of them. Fr. Michael Obi was the first to die, Fr. Peter Nzinkeng followed and then Fr. John Kubuo.

 

Drawing inspiration from His Eminence Cardinal Arinze’s write up on how priests should lead their lives, Bishop George Nkuo urged priests to be ready to die at anytime. “A priest knows that ageing is a fact. He knows that he will not stay young forever. But does he accept that fact? When sickness comes does he respect the instructions of doctors and nurses or does he blame his illness on his Bishop or fellow priests? If a priest cannot bear to hear it said that he will soon die, what Gospel has such a priest been preaching then?”, he questioned.

 

When a priest learns that death is around the corner, he should instead be thankful because he shall have a chance to make amends with God and his neighbour and also put things the way he would have loved to have them when he is gone.

 

Mgr George Nkuo said Fr John Kubuo lived Cardinal Arinze’s recommendations because in his last days he prayed as often as his illness allowed him. He also called on others to pray for him. Two days before Fr Kubuo died, he asked and was administered the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, or Extreme Unction.

 

Bishop George Nkuo told the congregation that no matter what cross one carries, Jesus Christ remains the model. He said suffering is a part of life. “Trials should teach us to love God more,” the Bishop concluded. At the end of his sermon, Bishop George expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the mother of the fallen priest. He called on her and all present to bear in mind that no matter our difficulties, God wants us to be happy.

 

Before the final blessing, the Bishop of Buea Mgr Immanuel Bushu, the main celebrant, thanked the congregation for the support given to Buea Diocese at this moment of grief. He equally exhorted all to be ready for death at all times because it is only through death that one can meet God. He added, “--- today is the turn of Fr. John, but tomorrow it may be any of us.”

  The Bishop of   Kumbo, His Lordship George Nkuo, and about a hundred priests from all over the

Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province, concelebrated the Mass.The Bishop Emeritus of Buea, Rt. Rev. Dr. Pius Awa, the moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, Rt. Rev. Nyansaku Ni Nku, a crowd of religious and the Christ’s faithful; including civil and traditional authorities, who jammed the Soppo Cathedral to overflowing, were also present during the funeral Mass. 

 The chairman of the Association of Diocesan Priests, Fr. John Ambe, said while Fr. John Kubuo was stillalive, he distinguished himself as a great thinker and a prolific writer. He said Fr. John Kubuo died, prepared in mind and spirit, to meet the Lord. As he lay dying, Fr Kubuo invited people with whom he had interacted during his active Pastoral Ministry for frank talks and reconciliation.Fr. John Ambe thus called on all present to pray for their priests so that despite their human weaknesses, they priests should be faithful to their calling.

 

Reacting to comments on the alarming death rate among priests of the Bamenda Ecclesiastical province, Fr. John Ambe said what is important is not the high death rate, but how prepared these priest are for death.

 

On behalf of the Kubuo Family, a former member of government, Bo Chong Francis Nkwain, thanked the Bishop of Buea for accepting Fr. John Kubuo to the priesthood when the family gave him up in 1981. He equally thanked the college of priests for collaborating with their fallen colleague. Bo Chong also thanked Christians in all areas where Fr. John Kubuo had served for their love and concern. Lastly, he thanked the hospital staff that took care of Fr Kubuo during his last days.

 

Rev. Fr. John Kubuo was born in Boyui (Kom) on December 06, 1950.  Fr. Aloysius Wankui baptised him on December 30. Rev. He was the second child in a family of the six (4 boys and 2 girls), children of Papa Gabriel Kubuo and Mama Christina Naya (who was present at the burial).

 

He attended St Anthony’s School Njinikom from 1959 – 1966 and was admitted to Bishop Rogan College in 1967. He completed in 1974 and was later admitted to the Regional Major Seminary now St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Bambui. His Lordship Bishop Pius Awa ordained him priest on April 26, 1981.

 

Fr. John Kubuo began his pastoral work in Muyuka and 6 months later he was made the Bishop’s secretary. From the Bishop’s House he travelled to England for studies and later returned home to continue his vocation in Mbeta. After 7 years in Mbeta, he moved over to Nguti and later to St Joseph's College Sasse, where he served for 4 years. He later became Director of the Catholic Information Service Buea.  After 4 years he moved to Tombel.

 

In 2004, he returned to Sasse College till 2008, when he moved to Christ the King’s College Tiko. He remained in Tiko until he began his journey to eternity in the early hours of Saturday May 2, 2009 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Shisong. May his rest in peace!

Comments

[yawo vally]

I loved him ,especially the way he Explained the Gospel.He was an examplary priest.Buea Diocese has lost a great servant of the Lord.He was simple and calm soft spoken.i pray that the Good Lord accepts his soul in heaven.May his soul and the soul of my late father Papa Yawo Victor Rest in The Lord.

[Banadzem Emmanuel (upper sixth commercial)]

fr john was a great priest we loved him in school ( c.k.c tiko)
may his soul rest in peace

[T. Mih]

Really shocking news. Fr. may your soul RIP.

[makoge]

thank u fr john

[vickery]

father j.kubuo was a model to me.he was very intelligent, kind and loving..father .good night

[princess]

I had no idea that Father John Kubuo had passed away cause when ileft C.K.C Tiko to come here to Belgium on December 14 2008,he wasn't ill he looked healthy.It's a pity he passed away so soon,i enjoyed the way he served the mass,he was a man of dignity and respect,he was a real philanthropist,with his calm and reassuring voice you'll be ceartain that everything's gonna be alright.He was a good ang examplary father.And by his good works,serenity and simplicity i pray that the King of Kings will accept His humble servant into His eternal kingdom.

[Leroy]

I pray that the good Lord accepts him into his heavenly Kingdom. Fr. J.K R.I.P

[Nkwakep franck Form 4GB]

father JOHN was more than a father to us and may he be with the good Lord who called him in heaven

[kevin mpafe]

i always remember him for his knocks on the head when we slept during prep in sasse col.he waited patiently for those wearing glassed to nod their heads as he could not see passed the thick lences.then the hammer fall boom and the whole class bursts in laughter. he was jolly good.we thank him for that cos were we are today is thanks to those knocks

[Joseph tabe]

I love you Fr. John Kubuo, God is light!!