Anatole Tientcheu
It is in the heart of distractions that we discover God because we are obliged to concentrate at such moments. Our Church is found in an environment saturated with noise and commercial activities. Absolute silence does not mean we can communicate with God. There is noise everywhere even in the desert. We have had several priests in this parish, but they have never said noise is as an impediment to parishioner’s spiritual growth. We worship like other Christians by saying the rosary, meditating on the life of Jesus and Mary and adoring the Blessed Sacrament. Christians in this parish do not really have a problem as they have through the years remained active in church activities. Christians should know that God is everywhere. When I leave my house and pass through the Church’s gate, I think of nothing else than my God I come to worship. I do not have a problem communicating with God in this noisy environment. The noise is an external distraction and does not affect me. What is important is my internal contact with God.
Therese Abeng
I have been worshipping in this parish for long and noise from passing vehicles and the market does not disturb me in any way. I pray when I want to. I do not concentrate on the noise around me. It is true we need some silence when we want to communicate with God, but what do we do when we do not have a choice? This Church, in my opinion, cannot be moved from this site. Present Christians of this parish, like those who have been here before, either adapted or are adapting to the situation. We need to commit everything into God’s hands. If one decides to concentrate, one will not even notice there is noise around.
Pierre Robert Tchobang
The noise in our parish does not change anything in my way of worship. When I come to Church it is to praise and worship God. I do not have any difficulty praying in this noisy environment because I am already used to it. With or without noise, Christians of this parish worship as usual. Youths, in particular, are very active in Church activities and distractions around here do not disturb them in any way. Even with the noise, Christians’ spirituality has greatly increased when compared to previous years. God is doing wonders in our lives so, we can worship Him anywhere. The Church’s position is not a problem and our priests are also quite receptive. There are also brotherly relations among Christians. The only problem we have is the absence of financing for youth activities. On the overall, things are going on well in terms of spirituality.
Marie-Michèle Maneke
When you leave your house to Church it is to pray. Parish Christians do not have a major problem because they ignore all worldly distractions as soon as they are within the church premises. I pray harder when noise distracts me and I ask God to increase my faith to praise Him and concentrate even in the midst of noise. The Church is close to the road and we need to accept that. We are already used to it and we cannot change the situation.
Rev. Christopher Geh Kum-Deacon
It is a very difficult problem to have a church in a city centre. Noise is a very big problem in this parish and the church is also not well positioned as people sometimes pass and do not even realise there is a church close by. However, when you are used to the situation noise does not mean anything to you any longer, but when you are new you find it very difficult to worship. I find it difficult to concentrate in my prayer and spiritual life. Nonetheless, I am gradually getting used to the situation. When you get used to it you can pray even in the market. Christians of this parish, who appear to be used to the noise around, marvel me the way they worship, as even in the midst of noise, you find them concentrating in Church everyday.
Pa Sylvestre Sima Ahanda-Catechist
I have been serving in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish as catechist since 1983. The parish church is in the heart of the city, no doubt, but we do not have any problem. People come and pray everyday as the church is open. Even on Sundays we have four Masses which are all heavily attended. During the week we equally have Masses. However, we are not secured as the church is close to the road and a market. We have had cases of theft in the parish. We implore God’s protection against those who come to steal under the guise of coming to pray. We are not alone as we have two protestant Churches and an Orthodox Church close by which help to boost Christian’s spiritual lives. We like our environment and our Church. We hope that our priests will continue to assist us to grow spiritually even in the midst of noise.
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