The Archbishop of Canterbury and spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion, the Most Reverend Sarah Mullally, is in Cameroon for a pastoral visit, bringing “a message of peace” amid conflicts around the world and suffering in the Central African nation.
The Anglican Church leader arrived in the country on Friday and headed to the South West, one of two English-speaking regions hit by a deadly separatist conflict on Saturday, August 1.
At least 6,500 people, including civilians and military personnel, have been killed in the decade-long conflict in the English-speaking North West and South West Regions, which has displaced more than 584,000 people internally and forced about 73,000 others to flee to Nigeria since violence erupted in 2017, according to the International Crisis Group.
The spiritual leader of the global Anglican community, who is on the second leg of her 10-day African tour that began in Ghana on July 26, said she had come as a pastor and shepherd to stand alongside the Anglican faithful and assure them that they are not forgotten.
“In a time of terrible conflicts around the world, and suffering here in Cameroon, I come with the message of the Gospel. This is always a message of peace,” Archbishop Sarah said. “It is always about the infinite value of every person made in God’s image. And it is always about the hope we have in Christ, who rose from the dead to bring us new life.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury said she brought the prayers of the global Anglican family and looked forward to standing alongside their beloved brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Cameroon—to accompany them, encourage them, and hear about their lives in the country.
Described by the government as a “Very Esteemed Guest” of the Head of State, President Paul Biya, Archbishop Sarah will, during her five-day stay, meet Anglican faithful, church leaders, and government officials.
In the South West Region, she was scheduled to visit the Biaka Foundation in Buea before meeting local Anglican clergy in Limbe, together with the Anglican Bishop of Cameroon, Rt. Rev. Dibo Thomas-Babyngton Elango.
On Sunday, Archbishop Sarah will preach at a welcome Holy Communion service at Bishopscourt in Douala before visiting the city’s Anglican cathedral and a local parish.
On Monday, the Archbishop will visit Ste Thérèse, Yeug’assi, on the outskirts of Yaoundé, before paying a courtesy call on Prime Minister Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, according to the Lambeth Palace Press Office. She will also meet clergy from different Christian denominations in Cameroon.
Archbishop Sarah will conclude her visit to Cameroon on Tuesday with a farewell Eucharist at St John’s Church in Yaoundé, followed by a courtesy call at the Presidency of the Republic, marking the end of her first pastoral visit to Africa since assuming office in March.
