L'Effort Camerounais (English Version)

Editorial: Choosing to walk on the thorny side again!

By Ireneaus Chia Chongwain

(Note: The Minister of Defense has changed his decision allowing candidates from the English sub-system with 2 Advanced Level subjects to sit for the competitive exams into the combined Military Academy. This editorial was written before the decision was taken)

Recruitment into the military academy, which the Cameroon government recently ordered has, like most things in Cameroon, turned sour. Perhaps as a result of an expected massive response from potential aspirants and as a pre-emptive measure, the Ministry for Defence decided to tighten recruitment conditions which, unfortunately, seem to affect a group of candidates more than others. Aspirants from the English sub system should have three Advanced level subjects, while candidates from the French sub system require only a simple Baccalaureat pass to sit for the exam.

Bishop Bushu’s Pastoral Letter on the Year For Priests

To:
All Members of Institutes of the Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life,
All lay Members of Christ’s Faithful,
Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda
 
 
Re: Celebration of the Year for Priests in the Ecclesiastical
Province of Bamenda.
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
The peace of the Lord be with you.
 

Is City Encroachment: Affecting Traditional Catholic Worship?

Some Catholic churches in different Western countries are being converted into cinema halls, malls and private homes. Many in Cameroon, especially in urban centres, are competing for space with markets, bars, music shops and what have you. Different parish churches are now struggling to cope with noise from various sources as cities and businesses encroach upon them. The growing concern is what impact this encroachment is having or could have on traditional Catholic worship patterns. In some situations the reverse is true as noise from different churches literally overwhelms some neighbourhoods. Which will eventually outgrow the other? Is there either a point of respectable convergence or a distance of acceptable conviviality? L’Effort Camerounais takes an interest in how Catholics are coping with this reality.

How urban encroachment affects traditional Catholic worship

By Jude Abanseka

Traditional Catholic worship takes place in Churches which the Faithful have put up for that purpose. Worshiping or praying requires some degree of concentration, which to some people, is only possible when their immediate surrounding is quiet. With increasing city encroachment on some Churches the question now is, how is this affecting or could affect traditional Catholic worship?

Exploring the nefarious effects of rapid urbanisation on church activities in Kumbo Diocese

By Emmanuel Wirndzerem Verdzeka

While some churches in the West are regrettably being transformed into ware houses, cinema halls, shops and private estates, the Catholic Church in Cameroon is robbing shoulders with urban sprawl and post colonial social and economic revolution which most communities in the country are witnessing. 

Christians of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Douala evaluate the impact of city encroachment on their spititual lives

Views sampled by Grace Ongey

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.

Mgr. Joseph Atanga Celebrates 10 years of a fruitful Episcopacy

By Ireneaus Chia Chongwain

The heart beat of Bafoussam City centre, where the Cathedral is situated, throbbed faster than usual on Saturday September 19, 2009, as the lay Faithful, priests, religious, administrative and civil authorities, and curious onlookers,  gathered at the Cathedral Esplanade to wrap off activities marking Mgr. Joseph Atanga’s 10th anniversary as Bishop of Bafoussam.

Bishops, Apostolic Administrator and lay Faithful evaluate Mgr. Joseph Atanga’s ten year Episcopacy

Views sampled by Sylvestre Ndoumou and Ireneaus Chongwain Chia

Mgr. Samuel Kléda, NECC vice President and Douala Co-adjutor Archbishop

As pastors, bishops are sent to different dioceses and with the charisma we have, we try to do everything to preach the Good news. One thing is very important; everything we do is to make Christ known. I appreciate everything Mgr. Joseph Atanga has done in Bafoussam Diocese to make Christ known and to lead God’s people in the Church in Bafoussam. That is why the bishops present here today (September 19, 2009) and even those absent, share in all what Mgr. Atanga has realised in Bafoussam over the past ten years. The rest is up to God. We admire what has already been realised.

Catholic Men Organisation Douala holds general assembly

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.

L’Effort Camerounais caught up and talked to some new CMO members

Views sampled by Grace Ongey

Placide Kameni:

It is with much joy that I have been called up as a member of this organisation. It has always been my dream to belong to a Christian group. I feel the Holy Spirit has helped me to join this   group. This morning’s heavy rain almost stopped me from coming to Church, but the Holy Spirit pushed me on and my wish to belong to a Christian group has been realised. I implore the Holy Spirit to lead me in this task it has assigned me to.