The transfer of the pastoral governance in Douala Archdiocese from Christian Cardinal Tumi to Mgr. Samuel Kléda has been successfully concluded. It was to personally witness this historic event that Christians, priests and religious, civil and administrative officials, turned out in their numbers at the esplanade of St. Peter and Paul Cathedral on January 9.
The event itself was two-pronged. First, it indicated the solemn conclusion of Christian Cardinal Tumi’s pastoral governance of Douala Archdiocese and second, marked the official presentation of Mgr. Samuel Kléda as the new Archbishop of Douala, given that since Pope Benedict XVI accepted Cardinal Tumi’s renunciation of Douala Archdiocese on November 17, 2009, the new archbishop had not yet been officially presented to the Church that is in Douala.
Speaking on the occasion, Christian Cardinal Tumi explained that acting on his conscience, the Holy Father had decided that Mgr. Samuel Kléda is the Archbishop that Douala needs at this moment. He described his successor as competent and hardworking. Based on the experience that he wields Cardinal Tumi equally had words of advise for Mgr. Kléda. “The task given to you is immense. But the Lord has given you the grace which corresponds to the pastoral work he has given you. Do not be afraid!”
Cardinal Tumi pointed out the difference between him and Mgr. Kléda saying while he laid emphasis on transparent financial management and could sometimes ignore certain sums that could not be accounted for, his successor is more strict when it comes to financial accountability and will hold those in charge to account should a franc go missing. He therefore warned those who manage diocesan and parish funds to be very careful, “--- as Mgr. Kléda pardons all sins except the sins committed against money.”
Mgr. Samuel Kléda thanked his predecessor and said love was behind all the Cardinal had done as a Bishop. He reviewed how Cameroonians considered Cardinal Tumi - a rebel Cardinal, someone who opposes a political regime, a father and Bishop, but said these appellations notwithstanding, all he retains of Cardinal Tumi is that whatever he did was done in the light of the Gospel.
“You have never maintained a culpable silence when it comes to the ills that undermine Cameroon-: corruption, bad governance, violence---- and what have you. You spoke out against these ills in the name of the Gospel, and in so doing, you made your own contribution towards the construction of a more just society, one that respects human rights and is friendly to God’s plan for life. You were usually not understood and some considered you as someone who opposed a political regime.”
Challenges
Unlike in 1991 when he took over Douala Archdiocese, Christian Cardinal Tumi said the present financial situation of Douala Archdiocese is good. Mgr. Kléda told Christians that even though this is the case, they cannot afford to remain on their laurels. He told Christians that they must redouble their efforts in helping the church financially as money is needed to continue creating new parishes. The challenge therefore remains how to make these already generous Christians even more generous.
Mgr. Kléda spoke of the need to open up to other churches, but the challenge remains how to do so in an effective manner. “We have to open our arms to other churches particularly those that come knocking on our doors. We have often acted in this manner. But henceforth we need to be more organised.” Stepping into someone’s shoes as popular as Christian Cardinal Tumi is not always easy. Christians will definitely expect Mgr. Kléda not only to conserve what has already been achieved, but to hopefully do even more. The Prefect of the Congregation of the Evangelisation of Peoples, Ivan Cardinal Dias, who wrote to thank Cardinal Tumi on the occasion, acknowledged this is possible as he expects Mgr. Samuel Kléda to benefit from what he called “Cardinal Tumi’s discrete presence and wise advice.”
Christians indicated they will remain as generous as they are known to be, offering gifts in cash and kind to their new archbishop. Bishops of Cameroon, including the two bishops elect- Mgr. Faustin Ambassa Ndjodo and Mgr. Sosthene Leopold Bayemi Matjei who had just taken part in the annual seminar in Bamenda witnessed the event and also signed the handing over document.
Also present were the Head of State’s personal representative and Director of the Civil Cabinet of the Presidency, Martin Belinga, some government ministers, Littoral Governor and a cross section of elite from the north, who all gave the event the grandeur it deserved.
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