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.
Appointed bishop on July 17, 1999 and Consecrated on September 18, 1999, a turbulent political period in Cameroon at the time, Mgr. Atanga had every reason to celebrate his 10th anniversary as the Bishop of Bafoussam, having not only stood the rigours of his Pastoral ministry, but also for, in the opinion of fellow bishops, putting in place a flourishing and fruitful Church.
Speaking on behalf of Cameroon Bishops during the occasion, the Vice President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, NECC, and Douala Co-adjutor Archbishop, Mgr. Samuel Kléda, said the anniversary stretched beyond mere celebration.
“This time of celebration, this stoppage time, is undoubtedly for you, a time of reflection, analysis, even of sharing, to consider your evangelisation mission in a new way, in a more profound manner, which will permit you see how to preach the Gospel so that its takes root in the hearts of people, transforming them profoundly, so that they stop living for living sake, and start living for Christ,” Mgr. Kléda said.
And it was precisely in this light that in his homily, the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, Mgr. Antonio Eliseo Ariotti, basing his judgement on what Mgr. Joseph Atanga had achieved in ten years as Bishop of Bafoussam, described him as a great shepherd. “You can say, I have fought a good fight,” the nuncio told Mgr. Atanga.
The nuncio called on Mgr. Atanga to be a model of love everywhere and for everyone, to protect the Gospel in all its purity and never relent in carrying out his pastoral duty for his diocese is, in the nuncio’s words, “--- your crown, your joy and your sorrow.”
An Inculturation and multiculturalism masterpiece
During Mass, not only were the readings done in French, English and the local language, but also the lectionary procession, which the Catholic Women Association did in their usual committed manner, captivatingly display the celebration rite of the Bayangi tribe, South West Region.
The Sultan of Fumban, Ibrahim Mbombo Njoya’s presence at the ceremony demonstrated that, contrary to what many may think, Mgr. Atanga’s episcopacy also lays emphasis on promoting inter-religious dialogue- a welcome initiative following recent Catholic-Moslem strained relations. The choir that animated during the Mass also reinforced Cameroon’s rich cultural prowess as it sang in English, French, Bamilike and other local languages.
Such convergence made the nuncio’s call, on the need to promote a unified church and to protect her unity in diversity, even more relevant. The horse tail, a symbol of authority and dignity in the Grass field region, which Mgr. Atanga displayed at the end of Mass, and the peace plant, which reverend sisters gave the chief celebrant, indicated that Mgr. Atanga has authority over his diocese, and is even more importantly, expected to safeguard its unity and peace now and in the coming years.
The moment of ultimate communion came when Mgr. Atanga, in the company of the Bafoussam Presbyterium, danced to the tune of a local rhythm to the congregation’s deafening applause- an unforgettable picture of pastoral unity; for what greater reward is there than for a Bishop to commune with his close collaborators within the culture of their diocese. As a sign of their allegiance, the priests gave their bishop a mitre as an anniversary present. In a nutshell, the whole ceremony was just one huge Eucharistic melting pot with a unique cultural colouring.
A fruitful Episcopacy with a clear vision
From different speakers, it was gathered that Mgr. Atanga’s 10 years as the Bishop of Bafoussam have been very fruitful. Mgr. Atanga has and continues to lay emphasis on evangelisation. Speaking to reporters of the Bafoussam Diocesan Magazine, Lumen Vitae, he acknowledged that his most remarkable achievement in ten years has been the putting in place of a solid Pastoral Plan which other dioceses do not yet have.
Reports indicate in ten years about thirty (30) new parishes have been created, formation support to seminarians in and out of Bafoussam reinforced, a new Bishop’s residence constructed, the number of religious congregations increased, new Catholic schools and hospitals constructed or refurbished and plantations and income generating activities created, just to name these few.
Mgr. Atanga, however, said the challenges ahead remain daunting. He plans to build a new Cathedral which reflects the image and pride of his diocese. The Cathedral, he explained, will also be a tribute to his predecessor, Mgr. André Wouking, who launched the project. He has therefore called on sons and daughters of his diocese to throw their weight behind the Cathedral project so that it should be speedily completed.
There are also plans to build a Marial Sanctuary in Doumelong which is expected to attract pilgrims to the diocese, open a training centre for catechists and a geriatric hospital for sick priests. Mgr. Atanga therefore called on his diocese’s lay Faithful and close collaborators to redouble their efforts to make these dreams a reality; for what greater love is there, than to have a bishop dedicate his life to improve the spiritual and material welfare of the people he has been called to serve.
To demonstrate what Mgr. Kléda described as effective and affective Episcopal collegiality, about 12 bishops attended the event.
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