By Grace Ongey
His Eminence Christian Cardinal Tumi celebrated a goodbye Mass at the esplanade of St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Douala, on January 1, 2010. The event coincided with celebrations marking the traditional World Day of Peace and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.
Addressing the mammoth crowd that turned out for the event and precisely reacting to what youths, the lay faithful, religious and priests had said about him as they paid allegiance to him for what he had done in Douala, Cardinal Tumi now Archbishop Emeritus of Douala, said, “I pardon you all; for what you said about me is what you see externally. My God knows me better than anyone else. What you say is not what I am, but what you wanted me to be, but unfortunately it is too late.”
He described what they said as “exaggerated” and acknowledged that he has his weaknesses that are known only to him and God. This shocked those who had expected him to feel revered by all the testimonies.
In his address the youth representative hailed the Cardinal for creating Youth Pastoral Councils in all parishes in Douala Archdiocese. Speaking on behalf of Douala Archdiocese’s lay faithful, Emmanuel Pohowé, announced they had created a Christian Cardinal Tumi Foundation to perpetuate the good works the Cardinal had started. The spokes-person for the religious said during Cardinal Tumi’s reign, 20 more congregations had been added to the 14 that existed at the time Cardinal Tumi arrived in Douala. Talking for priests, Rev. Fr. Clement Ndjewel described Cardinal Tumi as an indefatigable pastor and implored other priests to follow the path he has traced for them.
The ceremony started with a Pontifical Mass which the Archbishop Emeritus Christian Cardinal Tumi celebrated. The Archbishop of Douala, Mgr. Samuel Kléda, two Bishops- Mgr. Philips Stephen of Maroua-Mokolo Diocese and Mgr. Barthélemy Yaouda of Yagoua Diocese and hundreds of priests concelebrated the Mass In his opening remarks Rev. Fr. Ignatius Musi laid emphasis on the day’s importance which His Eminence Christian Cardinal Tumi initiated in Douala Archdiocese to foster a culture of peace.
Life is sacred
Mgr. Kléda also condemned any authority that endangers human life. Referring to Maputo Protocol’s controversial Article 14, he said there is no authority on earth that can decide on the right to life or death. He described life as sacred and said there is no valid reason for any woman to terminate the life of her baby. He exhorted policy makers to accept this reality and prayed Christians to help their leaders understand the value of life. The Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops which held recently in Rome, laid emphasis on the need for African Christian families to maintain their traditional values that protect human life.
Christian families were told to watch out for disguised virulent western ideologies about life. During discussions Synod Fathers reiterated that any government, whose legislation seeks to destroy human life, does so to its own detriment. He decried irrational forest exploitation in Cameroon’s East Region, saying while the region is rich the population languishes in poverty.
He enjoined Christians to collaborate with his successor Mgr. Kléda, who he said, is the right person needed in Douala at the moment. Cardinal Tumi described his successor as competent and foresighted. Mgr. Kléda thanked his predecessor for showing him the way and promised to continue praying for him as he retires.
He described what they said as “exaggerated” and acknowledged that he has his weaknesses that are known only to him and God. This shocked those who had expected him to feel revered by all the testimonies.
In his address the youth representative hailed the Cardinal for creating Youth Pastoral Councils in all parishes in Douala Archdiocese. Speaking on behalf of Douala Archdiocese’s lay faithful, Emmanuel Pohowé, announced they had created a Christian Cardinal Tumi Foundation to perpetuate the good works the Cardinal had started. The spokes-person for the religious said during Cardinal Tumi’s reign, 20 more congregations had been added to the 14 that existed at the time Cardinal Tumi arrived in Douala. Talking for priests, Rev. Fr. Clement Ndjewel described Cardinal Tumi as an indefatigable pastor and implored other priests to follow the path he has traced for them.
The ceremony started with a Pontifical Mass which the Archbishop Emeritus Christian Cardinal Tumi celebrated. The Archbishop of Douala, Mgr. Samuel Kléda, two Bishops- Mgr. Philips Stephen of Maroua-Mokolo Diocese and Mgr. Barthélemy Yaouda of Yagoua Diocese and hundreds of priests concelebrated the Mass In his opening remarks Rev. Fr. Ignatius Musi laid emphasis on the day’s importance which His Eminence Christian Cardinal Tumi initiated in Douala Archdiocese to foster a culture of peace.
In his homily Mgr. Samuel Kléda reiterated the need for Christians to worship God who has given them another opportunity to see a new year. He noted the first day of the year is dedicated for peace because of instability and violence reigning in our families resulting from poverty, misery, insecurity and uncertainty.
He lamented some people only wake up to the sound of gun-shots. Drawing inspiration from Pope Benedict XVI’s message on this year’s World Day of Peace, Mgr. Kléda said the only way to wipe out poverty and misery and restore man’s stolen dignity is to fight for peace worldwide. As Pope Benedict puts it, “If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation”. Mgr. Kléda condemned the inequitable distribution of natural resources among people saying it is contrary to God’s plan for life.Life is sacred
Mgr. Kléda also condemned any authority that endangers human life. Referring to Maputo Protocol’s controversial Article 14, he said there is no authority on earth that can decide on the right to life or death. He described life as sacred and said there is no valid reason for any woman to terminate the life of her baby. He exhorted policy makers to accept this reality and prayed Christians to help their leaders understand the value of life. The Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops which held recently in Rome, laid emphasis on the need for African Christian families to maintain their traditional values that protect human life.
Christian families were told to watch out for disguised virulent western ideologies about life. During discussions Synod Fathers reiterated that any government, whose legislation seeks to destroy human life, does so to its own detriment. He decried irrational forest exploitation in Cameroon’s East Region, saying while the region is rich the population languishes in poverty.
At the end of Mass the vicar general, Mgr. Paul Nyaga, thanked youths, the Lay faithful, religious and priests for contributing close to FCFA 9million to assist Cardinal Tumi as he retires. He explained contributions from other parishes are still awaited.
The colourful ceremony also saw a close to 45-minute presentation of gifts to Cardinal Tumi. On his part Cardinal Tumi expressed satisfaction over what he had accomplished, adding he had played his role and the time had come for him to quit the stage. He acknowledged when he arrived in Douala Archdiocese the financial situation was not good, but is proud the Archdiocese of Douala is now the economic live wire not only of Douala Metropolitan See, but also of other dioceses.He enjoined Christians to collaborate with his successor Mgr. Kléda, who he said, is the right person needed in Douala at the moment. Cardinal Tumi described his successor as competent and foresighted. Mgr. Kléda thanked his predecessor for showing him the way and promised to continue praying for him as he retires.
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