By WIFAH J. NDE
The Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province has announced the creation of a fund to support those affected by the violence during demonstrations in the Anglophone regions of the country.
The announcement was made by the Auxiliary Archbishop of the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province, Michael Miabesue Bibi on Saturday October 14, 2017 during a mass to pray for those who have lost their lives during the Anglophone crisis.
The Auxiliary Bishop asked Christians to pray for all those who shot others to death and those who ordered for their shooting. Without stating clearly the angle of this prayer request, the prelate emphasized that, “Only God gives life and only God should take lives”.
The church which is the moral pillar in every society has continually played her role since the start of the Anglophone crisis as a mediator and the broker of peace for all, by looking at the evolution of Cameroon history objectively and making pertinent suggestions to government on the way forward.
It is based on this fall out that the Archbishop of the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace Cornelius Fontem Eshua chose Saturday October 14, 2017 for all churches under his command to pray for the repose of scores of people who lost their lives during recent demonstrations in the NW and SW regions and to pray for the country as a whole.
In a solemn homily at the Bamenda Metropolitan Cathedral where hundreds of Christians answered present, officiated by the Auxiliary Archbishop, Michael Miabesue Bibi, the church unanimously prayed for the peaceful repose of the lives of those who died since October 2016 in connection with the Anglophone crisis. Prayed as well for those who have been arrested and tortured, both known and unknown and for the families of all those affected.
During his homily, the Auxiliary Archbishop called on Christians to pray for this nation like never before at a time when uncertainty is the next certainty in the Northwest and Southwest regions.
He cautioned all, Christians like non-Christians to keep away from trouble, calling on them not to provoke the military or give room for the military to provoke them while warning that “life is sacred”.
The man of God did not fail to re-echo the stance of the church with regards to the Anglophone crisis. He condemned strongly the abduction of Anglophones to unknown destinations and called on government to put an immediate stop to the arrests.
He equally urged government to push fast for a genuine and inclusive dialogue so as to find lasting solutions to issues affecting national peace.
Finally, the prelate appealed with the population to continue offering masses to pray for the lives of those who were killed during the Anglophone crisis.