By Christian Cardinal Tumi
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, Creator of Heaven and Earth, “This is the day that the Lord has made, Alleluia!”It is a day of joy, indeed! Today Christ lets known to His people in Douala, their new Pastor; in the person of His Grace Samuel Kléda.
Though since the 17th of November, 2009, the day the Holy Father accepted my retirement as Archbishop of Douala, Mgr. Samuel Kléda became effectively the Archbishop of Douala, Our Holy Mother, the Church, still demands that the new Pastor be publicly and solemnly presented to the Faithful.
Since that very day, Christian Cardinal Tumi is no more the Archbishop of Douala. He has become the Archbishop Emeritus of Douala; the retired Archbishop of Douala and in Douala.
His Grace Samuel Kléda, yesterday my Seminarian in Yagoua and my priest in Garoua, is now my Bishop, your Bishop, our Bishop, by Christ’s will and by the will of the present Vicar of Christ, Pope Benedict XVI.
After a lot of consultation and investigations which lasted for two years, Benedict XVI has decided in conscience, before God, who will judge him at the end of time, that Mgr. Samuel Kléda, a Toupouri, from the Far North of the country, is the Archbishop that Douala needs now to succeed Christian Cardinal Tumi. In this Roman Catholic Church, only the Pope has the power to appoint a bishop to a See or to transfer a bishop from one See to the other.
The task given to you is immense, but the Lord has given you the grace that corresponds to the pastoral work given to you. The Lord Himself has seen from the heavens that you are competent. The task ahead of you is great, but do not be afraid! Do what is right and command with authority. Authority in the Church is to serve.
These people God has put in your pastoral care are ready to follow you, wherever you guide them. For two years now you have been here among us, you have noticed that the Christians here love their Church and your closest collaborators, the priests, can testify that the Faithful like their parishes when everything is done in transparency. They like to be listened to, consulted and involved when decisions are taken. They like to be trusted. One can never say enough on this point. You are ready to do it and I have seen you for two years do it. You should only give directives in love, especially in what concerns financial administration.
There is a difference between Mgr. Samuel Kléda and me. I insist, or better still, insisted a lot on transparent financial management. With Mgr. Samuel Kléda, when a franc goes missing, he who is responsible has to explain. I therefore advise parish economic councils and parish priests, to be very careful. You may have deceived me, but not him! So those who are dealing with diocesan and parochial funds have to be very careful. Mgr. Kléda pardons all sins except those of bad administration.
I believe the Lord can let his humble servant “go in peace.” May God bless our Bishop, His Grace Samuel Kléda, and the Archbishop Emeritus of Douala, Christian Cardinal Tumi. Amen!
Since that very day, Christian Cardinal Tumi is no more the Archbishop of Douala. He has become the Archbishop Emeritus of Douala; the retired Archbishop of Douala and in Douala.
His Grace Samuel Kléda, yesterday my Seminarian in Yagoua and my priest in Garoua, is now my Bishop, your Bishop, our Bishop, by Christ’s will and by the will of the present Vicar of Christ, Pope Benedict XVI.
After a lot of consultation and investigations which lasted for two years, Benedict XVI has decided in conscience, before God, who will judge him at the end of time, that Mgr. Samuel Kléda, a Toupouri, from the Far North of the country, is the Archbishop that Douala needs now to succeed Christian Cardinal Tumi. In this Roman Catholic Church, only the Pope has the power to appoint a bishop to a See or to transfer a bishop from one See to the other.
Mgr. Samuel Kléda,
This crowd in front of you, like the one that welcomed you on the 12th of January, 2008, as its Co-adjutor Archbishop, testifies that the Faithful of Christ in Douala received your appointment as their Bishop, with joy and gratitude to the lord. You are welcome!The task given to you is immense, but the Lord has given you the grace that corresponds to the pastoral work given to you. The Lord Himself has seen from the heavens that you are competent. The task ahead of you is great, but do not be afraid! Do what is right and command with authority. Authority in the Church is to serve.
These people God has put in your pastoral care are ready to follow you, wherever you guide them. For two years now you have been here among us, you have noticed that the Christians here love their Church and your closest collaborators, the priests, can testify that the Faithful like their parishes when everything is done in transparency. They like to be listened to, consulted and involved when decisions are taken. They like to be trusted. One can never say enough on this point. You are ready to do it and I have seen you for two years do it. You should only give directives in love, especially in what concerns financial administration.
There is a difference between Mgr. Samuel Kléda and me. I insist, or better still, insisted a lot on transparent financial management. With Mgr. Samuel Kléda, when a franc goes missing, he who is responsible has to explain. I therefore advise parish economic councils and parish priests, to be very careful. You may have deceived me, but not him! So those who are dealing with diocesan and parochial funds have to be very careful. Mgr. Kléda pardons all sins except those of bad administration.
Your Grace, Mgr. Eliseo Antonio Ariotti,
Kindly express my gratitude to the Holy Father as he has accepted my renunciation from the pastoral governance of this diocese. Please let him know that I am very grateful for the privilege he gives to me by allowing my name to be mentioned during Holy Mass, in the Eucharistic Prayer, after the name of our diocesan Bishop, Samuel Kléda. I thank him for this opportunity given to me to benefit from the prayers of the Christians of this diocese.I believe the Lord can let his humble servant “go in peace.” May God bless our Bishop, His Grace Samuel Kléda, and the Archbishop Emeritus of Douala, Christian Cardinal Tumi. Amen!
Comments