The Bishop of the oldest Roman Catholic Diocese of Cameroon has taken over the reins of the Social Communication Commission of Cameroon Bishops’ Conference. His Lordship Michael Miabesue Bibi, 53, Bishop of the Buea Diocese was elected president of the said Commission at the end of the 50th Ordinary Plenary Assembly of the Bishops of Cameroon that wrapped up in Yaounde on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
The Local Ordinary’s election comes amidst the 75th anniversary celebration of the Diocese of Buea – the mother Roman Catholic Diocese in the country created in 1950. The peak celebration of the anniversary is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, beginning with a Holy Mass to be officiated by the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt.
During the 2025 plenary of the Bishops of Cameroon at the headquarters of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC) in Mvolye, Yaounde, the Archbishop of Bamenda, His Grace Andrew Fuanya Nkea was reelected for a second term as NECC president. The prelate who was first elected president of NECC in April 2022 for a three-year mandate pledged to dedicate himself to the noble pursuit of peace in the troubled regions of Cameroon. The Bishop of Ebolowa, His Lordship Philippe Alain Mbarga was also reelected to the post of Vice President.
The 2025 Plenary Assembly of the Bishops of Cameroon was preceded by a pilgrimage to Marienberg, a national pilgrimage center where the Bishops were joined by priests and a multitude of Christians from all the ecclesiastical provinces to pray for peace in the country. During the pilgrimage, the Bishops delivered catechesis, and the Apostolic Nuncio presided over the closing Holy Mass.
The event providentially coincided with the burial of Pope Francis in Rome. At a Mass to kick off the deliberations of the 50th plenary, the Apostolic Nuncio commended the soul of the late Pontiff to the creator. He told journalists that Francis’s legacy in Cameroon and the world will outlive his life on earth.
“The very fact of the presence of all the Archbishops and Bishops of Cameroon here this evening to celebrate this Mass is a testament that the Pope’s Pontificate touched the very hearts of Cameroon,” Archbishop Bettencourt said.
During their deliberations, the Bishops reflected on the Church’s role in promoting peace, unity, and development. They addressed various issues, including the upcoming presidential and regional elections in the country, urging Christians to persevere in prayer for peaceful polls. The Bishops also gave guidelines and recommendations for improving the functioning of various entities within the Church and urged prayerful support for the College of Cardinals as they prepare to elect a new Pope.
Also elected at the Bishops’ Conference were the Bishop of Mamfe, His Lordship Aloysius Abangalo Fondong as president of the Legal Affairs Commission with the Bishop of Yokadouma, His Lordship Justin Georges Ebengue as Vice President. Bishop Georges Ebengue was attending his very first Plenary Assembly following his appointment in January. The Bishop of Kumbo, His Lordship George Nkuo was during the same gathering elected president of the Commission for Education among others.
First published in NewsWatch newspaper No. 208 of Monday, May 5, 2025.
