Fr Robert Tantoh of the Diocese of Kumbo appointed Assistant Secretary General of NECC

The 33rd Plenary Assembly of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC) held at the John XXIII Centre, Mvolyé, from March 31 to April 5, 2008. The session was chaired by the Vice President, Mgr Samuel Kleda, sitting in for Mgr Victor Tonye Bakot, victim of a ghastly accident, a few days earlier, that necessitated his evacuation to Europe for treatment.

From the beginning of the session, and especially during the solemn opening Mass presided at by Mgr Antoine Ntalou at the St Laurent Chapel, the bishops prayed for the speedy recovery of their president.

During the session, the bishops listened to the reports of the different services of the National Episcopal Conference and gave guidelines for the smooth functioning of the structure. They also reviewed some upcoming important ecclesial events notably:

– The 49th International Eucharistic Congress that will hold in Ottawa from June 15 to 22, 2008.

– The Plenary Assembly of the Association of the Episcopal Conferences of the Central African Sub-region that will hold in Bangui from June 29 to July 6, 2008.

– The World Youth Days that will hold in Sydney from July 14 to 20, 2008.

– The Synod of Bishops on The Word of God that will hold in Rome from October 5 to 26, 2008.

The Apostolic Nuncio, Mgr Antonio Eliseo Ariotti, attended the session and encouraged the bishops, especially following the serious accident of which Mgr Victor Tonye Bakot was the victim. The Holy Father and the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of the Peoples also sent encouragement messages to the bishops in which they exhorted more cohesion among bishops in their pastoral activities, reminding them of the session’s themes, that is, the Word of God that remains for ever relevant; the sometimes difficult choices that have to be made in the management of Church resources for the good of God’s people, and the Eucharist, source of life to the world that permits the youths to grow spiritually.

After long discussions and profound reflection on last February’s unfortunate social unrest in our country, the bishops called on youths to exercise more restraint and to respect public and private property. This responsibility, among others, consists of being accountable for their actions, always being driven by the desire for public good and not allowing themselves to be manipulated by others. The bishops further called on the youths to always allow justice and Christ’s love to shape or determine all their actions. They then assured the youths of their prayers in the face of the frustrating unemployment situation that is theirs.

The bishops expressed satisfaction with the measures the government has taken to resolve some present political and social problems. They exhorted the powers that be to always strive to look for durable solutions to problems in order to preserve peace in the country.The bishops announced the Pilgrimage of the Relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux in Cameroon from November 1, 2008 to February 15, 2009.

The year dedicated to St Paul decreed by the Holy Father will be celebrated throughout the national territory. A national closing ceremony shall be celebrated in Yaounde from the June 26 to 28, 2009.

The bishops made the following appointments:
– Assistant Secretary General of NECC, Fr Robert Tantoh of the Diocese of Kumbo

– National Coordinator of Justice and Peace, Professor Siméon Ombiono

– Director of AMA, Professor Lious-Pascal Modo Asse

– The Bishops of Cameroon will participate in the Plenary Assembly of ACERAC in Bangui from June 29 to July 6, 2008. They will come together again for their Annual Seminar from January 3 to 10, 2009, in Maroua.

Mvolyé, April 5, 2008
Signed: Mgr Joseph Akonga Essomba
Secretary General, NECC
Translated by the Central News Desk