Interviewed by Florence Ndiyah
Norman and Elisabeth Taylor
Ma and Tah, as you are fondly called, you are welcome. How does it feel to be back in Cameroon after 5 years?
Cameroon is like a home to us. So it feels great to be back home, especially here at the Maryvale Institute, Bamenda.
What motivated you to create the Maryvale Institute of Bamenda?
It was the Holy Spirit’s work. This was through an accidental encounter with Fr. Charles Nguobi and Fr. Bernardine Nsom, who were studying at Portsmouth back then. They came into our lives when our church was going to close because of a shortage of priests. Fr. Charles helped out in our church and stayed in our house. Back then, Elisabeth was a student of Maryvale Institute, England. In a discussion with Fr. Charles, he exclaimed, ‘My Bishop needs this’. At that point we could not even situate Cameroon on the map. All we knew was that it was in Africa. Gradually, Fr. Charles and Fr. Bern started briefing us. They taught us the Lord’s Prayer in pidgin and this memorable song, “Na the thing weh you give we Papa, Na e this we di bring am so...” We cannot explain why they did this. That is why we say it was the Holy Spirit working. Shortly after that our first trip to Cameroon followed and then a second to start the institute.
When you decided to set up the institute, did you receive any support from the Maryvale Institute of England and Bamenda Archdiocese?
The directors of Maryvale Institute, Msgr. Paul J. Watson and Dr. Caroline Farey, were very supportive. We also received encouragement from Archbishop Vincent Nichols, now the Archbishop of Westminster. In Cameroon, late Emeritus Archbishop Paul Verdzekov was very cooperative. He took one look at the Maryvale course books and said, ‘My people need this.’ He did not even know if we were capable of doing what he wanted but the Holy Spirit was driving us. He took a great risk with us. Though some priests put up barriers because they did not believe catechists were capable of achieving the Maryvale Course, many also supported us. We are appreciative to Fr. Charles, Fr. Bern, Fr. Joe Ateh and others. Fr. Joe Nchito played an important part in establishing Maryvale in Bafut, the Archbishop’s choice. His parish house became a dormitory, classroom and dining room. He borrowed beds from SAJOCAH. He sacrificed a lot for the students.
When you were leaving Cameroon did you believe the Maryvale Institute of Bamenda could survive with a maximum of 12 students each year?
We dreamt of the future that exists today. We prayed and we hoped for a better future.
The present 8th batch has 87 students. What goes through your mind when you see such progress?
We are speechless and thank God! We are also impressed. All the students are buying their books. The first three batches had books given to them. It was a struggle for them to pay fees and buy books. Now we are happy to see many students, all paying fees and buying their books.
What do you think of graduates of Maryvale, Bamenda?
Elisabeth Nomase and Christopher Fongeh are typical examples. They are now part of the staff of Maryvale, Bamenda. We hope the others follow their examples.
What is the Holy Spirit guiding you to do again for the Maryvale Institute of Bamenda?
We continue to pray for the Institute. We support it financially. We just cannot leave the people on their own.
Given the interest in the course, do you think it could eventually be extended from the certificate level to a Bachelor and Masters levels as is the case in Maryvale, England?
It would be wonderful if that could happen. It will require that more priests and catechists go to England for training.
What word do you have for past and present students of Maryvale?
After completing the Maryvale course they should go back home and to their parishes. They must create time for reflection and reflective prayer. Those who are still studying must enjoy their studies. They will obviously face difficulties but they should not be discouraged.
It was the Holy Spirit’s work. This was through an accidental encounter with Fr. Charles Nguobi and Fr. Bernardine Nsom, who were studying at Portsmouth back then. They came into our lives when our church was going to close because of a shortage of priests. Fr. Charles helped out in our church and stayed in our house. Back then, Elisabeth was a student of Maryvale Institute, England. In a discussion with Fr. Charles, he exclaimed, ‘My Bishop needs this’. At that point we could not even situate Cameroon on the map. All we knew was that it was in Africa. Gradually, Fr. Charles and Fr. Bern started briefing us. They taught us the Lord’s Prayer in pidgin and this memorable song, “Na the thing weh you give we Papa, Na e this we di bring am so...” We cannot explain why they did this. That is why we say it was the Holy Spirit working. Shortly after that our first trip to Cameroon followed and then a second to start the institute.
When you decided to set up the institute, did you receive any support from the Maryvale Institute of England and Bamenda Archdiocese?
The directors of Maryvale Institute, Msgr. Paul J. Watson and Dr. Caroline Farey, were very supportive. We also received encouragement from Archbishop Vincent Nichols, now the Archbishop of Westminster. In Cameroon, late Emeritus Archbishop Paul Verdzekov was very cooperative. He took one look at the Maryvale course books and said, ‘My people need this.’ He did not even know if we were capable of doing what he wanted but the Holy Spirit was driving us. He took a great risk with us. Though some priests put up barriers because they did not believe catechists were capable of achieving the Maryvale Course, many also supported us. We are appreciative to Fr. Charles, Fr. Bern, Fr. Joe Ateh and others. Fr. Joe Nchito played an important part in establishing Maryvale in Bafut, the Archbishop’s choice. His parish house became a dormitory, classroom and dining room. He borrowed beds from SAJOCAH. He sacrificed a lot for the students.
When you were leaving Cameroon did you believe the Maryvale Institute of Bamenda could survive with a maximum of 12 students each year?
We dreamt of the future that exists today. We prayed and we hoped for a better future.
The present 8th batch has 87 students. What goes through your mind when you see such progress?
We are speechless and thank God! We are also impressed. All the students are buying their books. The first three batches had books given to them. It was a struggle for them to pay fees and buy books. Now we are happy to see many students, all paying fees and buying their books.
What do you think of graduates of Maryvale, Bamenda?
Elisabeth Nomase and Christopher Fongeh are typical examples. They are now part of the staff of Maryvale, Bamenda. We hope the others follow their examples.
What is the Holy Spirit guiding you to do again for the Maryvale Institute of Bamenda?
We continue to pray for the Institute. We support it financially. We just cannot leave the people on their own.
Given the interest in the course, do you think it could eventually be extended from the certificate level to a Bachelor and Masters levels as is the case in Maryvale, England?
It would be wonderful if that could happen. It will require that more priests and catechists go to England for training.
What word do you have for past and present students of Maryvale?
After completing the Maryvale course they should go back home and to their parishes. They must create time for reflection and reflective prayer. Those who are still studying must enjoy their studies. They will obviously face difficulties but they should not be discouraged.
This seems like a great place to be! Are there any teaching opportunities for graduates with a Master of Arts degree in Sacred Theology?
Posted by: Vunda Moutchia | January 24, 2012 at 09:36 PM