By Grace Ongey
The Catholic Men Organisation , CMO Douala, Chaplain Rev. Fr. Ignatius Musi Fominyem, has called for a Christian syndicate to be created to promote justice, social and human development.
He was speaking on Sunday, September 27 at Our Lady of Annunciation Parish, Bonamoussadi, as close to two hundred (200) CMO members gathered for the first ever general assembly in that parish, which is now the CMO seat.
Fr. Musi said the syndicate will help to promote spiritual values in the family in particular and society at large. He warned that this entails a lot of sacrifice, but encouraged CMO members to know that everything is possible with God.
Fr. Musi challenged CMO members to seek comprehensive solutions to some of the problems that plague different fields in our society, to emulate the values of St. Joseph, their Patron, and make their families holy and homes places worth living in.
After a Holy Mass, which the CMO choir animated, CMO members moved to the parish hall for the day’s deliberations. CMO Bonamoussadi president Commandant Augustine Njotsa welcomed all the members to his parish and wished them a successful meeting.
CMO archdiocesan president Chief Austin Arrey told participants that his dream is to have CMO men in leading government positions so that they can make the society a better place. He then proposed an agenda which members amended and later adopted. CMO Douala Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Ignatius Musi said the opening prayer.
Chief Austin Arrey and Commandant Augustine Njotsa welcomed twelve (12) new members to the CMO. They expressed joy that CMO Bonamoussadi membership is growing. Fr. Musi beseeched them not to say no to the Holy Spirit’s call but, like the twelve disciples, to fish more members.
CMO archdiocesan general coordinator Ralph Manyi Arrey read out the constitution which members appreciated. The Chaplain is yet to hand over a copy to the Archbishop of Douala, Christian Cardinal Tumi, who is expected to read and approve it before it can be adopted. Fr. Musi commended the constitutional committee for a job well done. He said the CMO Constitution could help the national body to come up with a National Constitution.
After discussions on the constitution, plans to dedicate some CMO members on November 22 at the Our Lady of Annunciation Parish, Bonamoussadi, followed. Chief Austin Arrey reminded members of the need to contribute FCFA 15,000 each to foot the dedication reception bill.
On his part, the Chaplain prescribed three requirements for members who have been dedicated to remain spiritually strong. The prescriptions were the need to live their baptismal vows, to take the Gospel to their different walks of life and to help the church enrich its inculturation experience by extracting positive cultural values from their different traditions. Fr. Musi said a retreat will be organised once a year for those who have been dedicated.
CMO branch reports were presented and discussions to revamp the choir ensued. All, except three parishes- St. Monica Parish Makepe, Holy Spirit Parish Bepanda and St Peter and Paul Parish Cathedral, presented their reports. The dominant complains were leadership problems and suspicion. The archdiocesan president, Chief Arrey, said immediate action will be taken in parishes still lagging behind to save the CMO from drowning.
He also lauded the efforts of CMO members from Holy Mary Chapel Newtown Airport, who were attending the general assembly for the first time. The choir president Eseh Ebong attributed low choir membership to an absence of motivation and finances. He exhorted the executive to help remedy the situation. The response was positive as the executive promised to assist choir members financially.
The next general meeting, initially planned for St. Paul Parish Nylon in November, has been moved to December, on a date still to be announced. Catholic men will hold their first ever National Executive Meeting in Cameroon on January 31, 2010, in Douala.
Fr. Musi said the syndicate will help to promote spiritual values in the family in particular and society at large. He warned that this entails a lot of sacrifice, but encouraged CMO members to know that everything is possible with God.
Fr. Musi challenged CMO members to seek comprehensive solutions to some of the problems that plague different fields in our society, to emulate the values of St. Joseph, their Patron, and make their families holy and homes places worth living in.
After a Holy Mass, which the CMO choir animated, CMO members moved to the parish hall for the day’s deliberations. CMO Bonamoussadi president Commandant Augustine Njotsa welcomed all the members to his parish and wished them a successful meeting.
CMO archdiocesan president Chief Austin Arrey told participants that his dream is to have CMO men in leading government positions so that they can make the society a better place. He then proposed an agenda which members amended and later adopted. CMO Douala Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Ignatius Musi said the opening prayer.
Chief Austin Arrey and Commandant Augustine Njotsa welcomed twelve (12) new members to the CMO. They expressed joy that CMO Bonamoussadi membership is growing. Fr. Musi beseeched them not to say no to the Holy Spirit’s call but, like the twelve disciples, to fish more members.
CMO archdiocesan general coordinator Ralph Manyi Arrey read out the constitution which members appreciated. The Chaplain is yet to hand over a copy to the Archbishop of Douala, Christian Cardinal Tumi, who is expected to read and approve it before it can be adopted. Fr. Musi commended the constitutional committee for a job well done. He said the CMO Constitution could help the national body to come up with a National Constitution.
After discussions on the constitution, plans to dedicate some CMO members on November 22 at the Our Lady of Annunciation Parish, Bonamoussadi, followed. Chief Austin Arrey reminded members of the need to contribute FCFA 15,000 each to foot the dedication reception bill.
On his part, the Chaplain prescribed three requirements for members who have been dedicated to remain spiritually strong. The prescriptions were the need to live their baptismal vows, to take the Gospel to their different walks of life and to help the church enrich its inculturation experience by extracting positive cultural values from their different traditions. Fr. Musi said a retreat will be organised once a year for those who have been dedicated.
CMO branch reports were presented and discussions to revamp the choir ensued. All, except three parishes- St. Monica Parish Makepe, Holy Spirit Parish Bepanda and St Peter and Paul Parish Cathedral, presented their reports. The dominant complains were leadership problems and suspicion. The archdiocesan president, Chief Arrey, said immediate action will be taken in parishes still lagging behind to save the CMO from drowning.
He also lauded the efforts of CMO members from Holy Mary Chapel Newtown Airport, who were attending the general assembly for the first time. The choir president Eseh Ebong attributed low choir membership to an absence of motivation and finances. He exhorted the executive to help remedy the situation. The response was positive as the executive promised to assist choir members financially.
The next general meeting, initially planned for St. Paul Parish Nylon in November, has been moved to December, on a date still to be announced. Catholic men will hold their first ever National Executive Meeting in Cameroon on January 31, 2010, in Douala.
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