Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt send-forth from Georgia to Cameroon: Leaves lasting legacy as the man of the people and pastor of souls

By Nchumbonga George Lekelefac, Saturday, October 28, 2023.

The 61-year old Archbishop Bettencourt has left a lastingly enduring legacy as the man of the people in Georgia during his service as apostolic nuncio in Georgia and Armenia for 5 years. This article will attempt to give a brief documentation of various farewell messages delivered to Archbishop Betancourt before he left Georgia for Cameroon spiced with epic pictures to best illustrate. This article is of capital significance of Cameroons because it provides Cameroonians with a better picture of the man Bettencourt who will serve Cameroon as new apostolic nuncio. The farewell messages and pictures will unarguably give us an idea of who the man Bettencourt is. In addition, this article will provide more information about Archbishop Bettencourt and about the Holy see diplomacy.

 

2. Communique of the Apostolic Nunciature in Georgia, August 30, 2023

 

On August 30, 2023, the Apostolic Nunciature in Georgia released a communique of the Appointment of an Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. It read: “Today at noon in the Vatican City State the Holy Father Pope Francis appointed José Avelino Bettencourt titular

archbishop of Cittanova (Novigrad), Aemoniensis seu Civitatis novae, Apostolic Nuncio in Georgia and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and in the Republic of Armenia as Apostolic Nuncio to the Republic of Cameroon and the Equatorial Republic Guinea. His Excellency will leave the South Caucasus at the end of the month from October 2023. Tbilisi, August 30, 2023.”

The former Apostolic Nuncio was Archbishop Julio Murat, who was named to the position by Pope Francis on 24 March 2018. On 9 November 2022, Pope Francis named him apostolic nuncio to Sweden and Iceland. On 25 January 2023, Pope Francis named him apostolic nuncio to Denmark. On 7 March 2023, Pope Francis named him apostolic nuncio to Finland. On 16 March 2023, Pope Francis named him apostolic nuncio to Norway.

Archbishop Jose Avelino Bettencourt was appointed Ambassador of the Holy Sacrifice to Georgia in 2018, some 5 years ago. Five years later, on August 30, 2023, Pope Francis appointed him Ambassador of the Holy See to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. That is why the archbishop left Georgia and Armenia. Many friends and well-wishers of Archbishop Bettencourt organized a Farwell party for him. They include:

Thursday, October 19, 2023

The “Bird of Gratitude” handed over to Archbishop Bettencourt

The “Bird of Gratitude” was been handed over to the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See in Georgia

On October 17, 2023 a farewell evening was held in honor of the former Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See in Georgia and Armenia, His Excellency, Monsignor – Jose Avelino Bettencourt, organized by the Patriarchate of Georgia. High hierarchs of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth of Georgia, Thea Tsulukiani, representatives of the diplomatic corps also attended the event. At the solemn evening, the founders of the “Georgian Chant” Foundation, Vano Chkhartishvili and Nana Gotua, awarded His Excellency, Jose Avelino Bettencourt with a special award of the foundation – “Bird of Gratitude” for his special contribution to the promotion of Georgian music culture on international level. It was with the great involvement of Monsignor Jose Bettencourt that in 2022, Georgian polyphony was presented at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Vatican for the first time in history. The “Bird of Gratitude” award was created in 2019 by the founder of the foundation – Nana Gotua, to express special respect and gratitude to the supporters of the foundation’s projects. Since 2019, the award has been handed to: Princess of Monaco Charlene Wittstock, Anzor Erkomaishvili, Tristan Sikharulidze, clergymen of the Western European Diocese of the Patriarchate of Georgia and other distinguished persons.

On that same day, Diplomatic corps, religious confessions and organizations bid farewell to the Vatican ambassador, Archbishop Betancourt. The farewell ceremony of Archbishop Jose Avelino Bettencourt, took place, organized by Caritas of Georgia and Apostolic Nunciature in Georgia. The party was hosted by the Georgian Caritas Didube Center. Around 150 guests were invited. Among the guests were representatives from embassies in Georgia, various religious denominations and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The farewell evening was opened by the director of “Georgia Caritas”, Anahid Mkhoyan, followed by the Polish ambassador to Georgia – Marius Mashkievich, and the deputy foreign minister of Georgia, Vladimir Konstantinidi. At the end of the celebration, the guests listened to the Patriarchal Choir of the Trinity Cathedral and saw the performance of the “Caritas” benefactor children. Invited guests also had the opportunity to visit Georgian Caritas charitable projects, in particular: “Sunflowers” children’s day center; social enterprise; “Harmony” senior citizen center; Humanitarian canteen. “Archbishop Bettencourt expressed: “Thank you to the diplomatic corps accredited to Georgia.” Georgian Caritas also thanked Archbishop Jose Bettencourt, for your many years of support and encouragement.

The tradition continues, the leaving Ambassador, this time the Apostolic Nuncio and doyen of the diplomatic corps, received a personalized traditional Georgian ceremonial dager as a tribute from the diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia, from the hands of the Ambassador of Poland, Ambassador Mariusz Maszkiewicz. Archbishop Betancourt stated: “Thank you Caritas Georgia. Thank you to each and every one of you.”

 

 

 

 

Monday, October 23, 2023

On October 23, H.E. Mariam Botchorishvili, young Ambassador of Georgia to the Republic of Italy stated: “There are people who leave a great mark and a name in history with their activities, Archbishop Jose Avelino Bettencourt is one of them. Farewell reception of a great friend of Georgia, Ambassador Emergency and Plenipotentiary of the Holy See of the Diplomatic Corps, Jose Avelino Bettencourt Thank you for everything!”

 

On that same day, the Religious representatives of different religious traditions bid farewell to Archbishop Bettencourt as he prepares to take his leave from Georgia.

 

In addition, without words before the extraordinary Georgian Polyphony, UNESCO World Heritage, performed by the top … the State Choir of the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi. Archbishop Bettencourt noted: “Didi Madloba!”

In addition, a certificate of appreciated was handed to Archbishop Bettencourt by Nana Gotua as a sign of appreciation for his outstanding contribution to the popularization of Georgian Musical Culture at the international level.

 

 

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

On Tuesday, October 24, H.E. Nikol Vovayi Pashinyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, received the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Bettencourt, at the conclusion of his diplomatic mission in Armenia.

On that same day, Shorena Parunashvili of the Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani University of Tbilisi made a moving tribute to bid farewell to the Apostolic Nuncio as he prepares to depart from Georgia in the following words: “God’s love for people is immeasurable, it is important to see it. The manifestation of this love is the presence of people in our lives who are always at the right time and in the right place. I think His Excellency Jose Avelino Betancourt’s five-year service in Georgia is just like that. The Nuncio of Saint Sakdri, who loved Georgia with all its people, culture, history and during these five years, did not hesitate to show kindness and support. This is the man thanks to whom the choir of the Patriarchate Choir performed wonderful Georgian hymns in the Sixty Chapel (historic event) with great support from “სულხან-საბა ორბელიანის უნივერ

სიტეტი” “SabaUni” were sung. More than 80 staff, professors and students were welcomed by Pope Francis (the Pope) at a private audience. Word deserves to be celebrated separately for how well he knows Georgia and our university), whose diplomacy led to the Catholics of the harvest.

We saw that the Vatican not only knows about the existence of the Georgian minority Catholics and their problems, but also remembers them and works to solve these problems. Your Excellency, as an ordinary Georgian Catholic and ordinary Sabunelian, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, friendship and love. Your Excellency, your being and your fruitful service in Georgia were a priceless gift from GOD and a manifestation of HIS love. Please accept my, as an ordinary Georgian Catholic and as an ordinary member of SabaUni, heartfelt thanks for your support, friendship and love. THANK YOU.” Another authority at the university expressed: “We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your steadfast support and invaluable cooperation. Your guidance and encouragement have played a pivotal role in shaping the positive trajectory of our university. Your dedication to fostering education and promoting values align seamlessly with our mission, and we consider ourselves truly privileged to have had the honor of working closely with you.”

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

On Wednesday, October 25, Archbishop Bettencourt visited with Most Reverend Benny and friends at the Mar Shemmon Bar Sabbea Assyrian-Chaldean Catholich Church in Tbilisi and said “Thank you.”

 

Thursday, October 26, 2023

On Thursday, October 26, H. E. Madam Salome Zourabichvili, President of Georgia, bid farewell to the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Jose’ A. Bettencourt as he was preparing to depart Georgia.

On that same day, Archbishop Bettencourt visited the Catholic Patriarch of Georgia to say goodbye and once again give him his respect. His Holiness and Eminence Ilia II thanked the Archbishop Bettencourt for his free and fruitful achievements in Georgia and wished him further successes in his mission.

In addition to this, His Holiness and Eminence Ilia II, Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia wrote a formal letter to Archbishop Bettencourt which read: “I salute you with esteem to express to you my gratitude for your proficuous service in Georgia especially for your contribution which you gave in presenting the cultural patrimony of Georgian people abroad in the Sistine chapel and in the Basilica of St. Peter, the head of the apostles. Naturally, for the realization of this aforementioned event, our gratitude goes first to Pope Francis, our friend and highly esteemed person but also the contributions of his excellency is great. We are sad that you are leaving Georgia but we hope that our relationship will continue in the future.”

Friday, October 27, 2023: Curiosity about Archbishop Bettencourt Diplomatic Passport

The curiosity is the new Diplomatic Passport of Archbishop Bettencourt in hand for the next diplomatic mission in Cameroon with status of the bearer in 3 languages (Latin/French/ English), with the latest international technological and security standards of the day engraved with religious images of faith. In addition, a well-travelled Holy See diplomatic passport for the South Caucasus and other parts of the world for the past five years.

 

In addition, the faithful trunk of Archbishop Bettencourt has travelled for the past 30 years to various continents and recently left Tbilisi for Yaoundé (some will recall the “coffee table” in Rome). The interesting thing about the trunk is that it contains symbols of the different flags of the various 30 countries where he has served.

 

National Conference of Major Superiors of Cameroon) NCMSC communique

On Tuesday, October 10, 2023, in Yaoundé, the President of the National Conference of Major Superiors of Cameroon) NCMSC issued a classically emblematic French – communiqué with protocol number: CNSMC/138/FON/mmm titled: “à Tous les Supériers Majeurs du Cameroun” (To all Major Superiors of Cameroon.) The subject of the letter was titled: “Arrivée du nouveau Nonce Apostolique du Cameroun et de la Guinée Equatoriale” (Arrival of the New Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea). The French Communiqué stated: “Le Chargé d’Affaires de la Nonciature nous envoie ce communiqué: Le nouveau Nonce Apostolique du Cameroun et de la Guinée Equatoriale, Mgr Jose Avelino BETTENCOURT, arrive a Yaoundé dans la soirée du 02 Novembre 2023. A cet effet, tous les Consacrés de la ville de Yaoundé et ses environs, qui le peuvent, doivent se rassembler sur l’esplanade de la Nonciature ce 02 Novembre 2023 à 21 heures précises afin d’accuellir le Nouveau Nonce à sa résidence au quartier Mont Febe. Je nous exhorte donc à réserver, autant que possible, un accueil des plus chaleureux à “celui qui vient au Nom du Seigneur. En tout, loué soit Jésus Christ! Pére Ferdinand OWONO NDIH,omi.Président de la CNSMC.”

Translated in English as:“The Charge d’Affaires of the Nunciature sends us this communiqué: The new Apostolic Nuncio of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, Mgr José Avelino BETTENCOURT, arrives in Yaoundé on the evening of November 2, 2023. To this end, all the Consecrated of the city of Yaoundé and its surroundings, who can, must gather on the esplanade of the Nunciature this November 2, 2023 at 9 p.m. sharp in order to welcome the New Nuncio in his residence in the Mont Febe the neighborhood. I therefore urge us to reserve, as much as possible, a warm welcome to “he who comes in the Name of the Lord. In all, praise be to Jesus Christ! Father Ferdinand OWONO NDIH, omi. President of the CNSMC.”

 

About the Apostolic Nunciature to the Republic of Cameroon

The Apostolic Nunciature to the Republic of Cameroon is an ecclesiastical office of the Catholic Church in Cameroon, with the rank of an embassy. The nuncio serves both as the ambassador of the Holy See to the President of Cameroon, and as delegate and point-of-contact between the Catholic hierarchy in Cameroon and the Pope.

List of former papal representatives in Cameroon

1. Apostolic Pro-Nuncios: Luigi Poggi (Italian, 31 October 1966 – 21 May 1969)

Apostolic Nuncios

2. Ernesto Gallina (Italian, 16 July 1969 – 13 March 1971)
3. Jean Jadot (Belgian, 15 May 1971- 23 May 1973)
4. Luciano Storero (Italian, 30 June 1973 – 14 July 1976)
5. Giuseppe Uhac (Croatian, 7 October 1976 – 3 June 1981)
6. Donato Squicciarini (Italian, 16 September 1981 – 1 July 1989)
7. Santos Abril y Castelló (Spaniard, 2 October 1989- 24 February 1996)
8. Félix del Blanco Prieto (Spaniard, 5 May 1996 – 5 June 2003)
9. Eliseo Antonio Ariotti (Italian, 17 July 2003- 5 November 2009)
10. Piero Pioppo (Italian, 25 January 2010 – 8 September 2017)
11. Julio Murat (Turkish, 24 March 2018- 9 November 2022)
12. José Avelino Bettencourt, Portuguese-Canadian, 30 August, 2023-….)

As you could see, Cameroon has had 6 Italian native nuncios, 2 Spaniards native Nuncios, 1 Belgian, 1 Turkish, 1 Croatian, and 1 Portuguese Canadian.

Most Cameroonians had been wondering why this appointment of a new apostolic nuncio was taking so long because never in the history of Cameroon had the apostolic nunciature been vacant without a nuncio for such a long time (November to August, a duration of 10 months.). If you take a look at the list of apostolic nuncios above, you will observe that 10 months vacancy is the longest. Former vacancies were shorter than 10 months.

Function and Role of the Apostolic Nuncio

An Apostolic Nuncio is the personal representative of the Pope in a particular part of the Catholic Church, a particular country or more particular countries. Thus, the Nuncio has two main functions: one relating within the Church, the other relating with States.

2. Relations within the Church: The ecclesial role of an Apostolic Nuncio is to make firm and effective the bonds of unity which exist between the Pope and the Church throughout the world.
3. To inform the Apostolic See about the conditions in which the particular Churches find themselves, and matters which affect the life of the Church and the good of souls.
4. To assist the Bishops by action and advice, leaving intact the exercise of their lawful power.
5. To foster close relations with the Bishops Conference, offering it every assistance.
6. In connection with the appointment of Bishops, to send or propose names of candidates to the Apostolic See, as well as to prepare the informative process about those who may be promoted, in accordance with the norms issued by the Apostolic See.
7. To promote whatever may contribute to peace, progress, and the united efforts of peoples.
8. To work with the Bishops to foster appropriate exchanges between the Catholic Church and other Churches or ecclesial communities, and indeed with non-Christian religions.
9. To work with the Bishops to safeguard, so far as the rules of the state are concerned, those things which relate to the mission of the Church and of the Apostolic See.
10. Relations with States: The diplomatic role of an Apostolic Nuncio is to establish and maintain a relationship of mutual understanding between Church and State, for the peace and progress of each nation, and peace between different peoples.
11. To promote and foster relationships between the Apostolic See and State authorities.
12. To address questions concerning relations between Church and State, drawing up concordats and other similar agreements, and giving effect to them. (cf. Code of Canon Law, Canons 361-365).

 

My Relationship with Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt

It was in 2012 that I met Msgr. José Avelino Bettencourt for the first time as I was walking out of the St Anne Parish in the Vatican where I normally participated at morning mass before I made my way on foot to the Pontifical Urban University in Rome.

Later, I met him on Summer holidays of 2015 and 2016 respectively at the Portuguese Parish in Ottawa at Santo Cristo (Senhor Santo Cristo Parish), Ottawa. The then parish priest, a Brazilian priest was a good friend of mine. This was his home parish. I was a canon law student at his alma mater, St. Paul University, Ottawa, Canada. He used to come for his summer holidays and he would celebrate mass on Sundays there. I found him to be a very simple person who was down to earth and who was very approachable.

Some 6 years later, I betook myself for an International trip to Yerevan, Armenia, Asia, from Frankfurt, Germany, in the framework of a mission on peace and human rights, invited by the Peace and Development Makers Forum (PDMF), Yerevan – a group of NGOs from different countries which took place from Saturday, April 24, 2021 – April 29, 2021.

While in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, I decided to pay a visit get in touch with Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt. In order to be sure, he was in Yerevan, I sent him a message on the Facebook page of the Apostolic Nunciature in Georgia (https://www.facebook.com/VaticanEmbassy).

This was his reply on April 26, 2021 at 11:07 am: “Dear Sir Nchumbonga George Lekelefac, thank you for your kind message. Unfortunately, I have left Armenia and returned to Tbilisi where I reside and where the Apostolic Nunciature is situated. I regret that I missed the opportunity to greet you Sir and through you my dear friend and colleague, Fr. Louis Fohsie. I am not sure when I will be in Armenia next. Warm greetings + Jose Bettencourt.”

Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt is very active on social media. Thanks to his initiatives, the Apostolic Nunciature in Georgia became very visible on social media worldwide. I am very sure that he will make the Apostolic Nunciature in Yaoundé, Cameroon very visible online when he comes. Until now, the Apostolic Nunciature in Cameroon has no Facebook page and we do not even know what happens there. The presence of Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt will pave the way for a Facebook page of the Apostolic Nunciature in Cameroon. He is also a very simple man and very down to earth in the style of Pope Francis. Some bishops in Cameroon who are autocratically tyrannic and despotically monocratic would have to adjust when he comes to Cameroon.

 

 

 

Who is Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt

Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt was born in Velas, Azores, Portugal on 23 May 1962, in the Diocese of Angra, Portugal and later moved at a young age to Canada with his family. That is why he is a Portuguese – Canadian.

He holds a degree in literature from the University of Ottawa (Ottawa, 1985), a degree in theology from Saint Paul University (Ottawa, 1993), a doctor of canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University (Rome, 1999), graduated from the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy (Rome, 1999).

Rev. Bettencourt was ordained a priest in 1993 at the age of 31 for the Archdiocese of Ottawa by the late Archbishop Marcel André J. Gervais who was Archbishop of Ottawa from 1989–2007. He was an officer in the Royal Canadian Navy and served in the Governor General Foot Guards (Ottawa). He also participated in pastoral work at the Holy Redeemer Parish (Kanata), at the “Senhor Santo Cristo” Church (Ottawa) and, during his stay in Rome, at the Parish of San Roberto Bellarmino (Parioli).

His almae matres are: University of Ottawa, St. Paul University, Ottawa, Canada; Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome and the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome.

He entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See 6 years after his priestly ordination in 1999 and obtained a doctorate in canon law at Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome. He worked at the apostolic nunciature to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and then moved to the Secretariat of State of the Holy See.

On 14 November 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him head of the Protocol of the Secretariat of State where he served from 2012-2018. He replaced Msgr. Fortunatus Nwachukwu who was the first ever African Nigerian Protocol of the Secretariat of State and who was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Nicaragua on 12 November 2012 at 52.

As Protocol, Bettencourt was also responsible for contacts with the embassies accredited to the Holy See and to the central Vatican authority.

On 26 February 2018, at 55, Pope Francis gave him the title apostolic nuncio and appointed him Titular Archbishop of Aemona. On 1 March 2018, at 55, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Armenia. On 8 March 2018, at 55, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Georgia.

On March 19, 2018, he was consecrated bishop at the San Pietro, Basilica, Roma, Diocese of Rome, Italy. The Principal Consecrator of his episcopal ordination was Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J.) while the Principal Co-Consecrators were Pietro Cardinal Parolin, Cardinal-Priest of Santi Simone e Giuda Taddeo a Torre Angela and Fernando Cardinal Filoni, Cardinal-Deacon of Nostra Signora di Coromoto in San Giovanni di Dio.

His episcopal motto are the theological virtues: “FIDES SPES CHARITAS” (faith, hope, and love are the three things that remain, but the greatest of these is love) (Corinthians 13:13).

He has been a priest for 30 years and a bishop for 5 years.

His Episcopal Lineage / Apostolic Succession include: 1) Pope Francis (1992) (Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J.); 2) Antonio Cardinal Quarracino † (1962), Archbishop of Buenos Aires, 3) Bishop Anunciado Serafini † (1935), Bishop of Mercedes and so on.

He is a polyglot. He speaks English, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese fluently.

14.Honours and Arms

He received several state awards. He has earned the following Honours: 1) Commander of Order of Christ, Palácio Nacional de Belém, 29 April 2013; 2) Grand Officer of Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Rome, 18 April 2015; 3) In addition. Bettencourt was granted coat of arms by the Canadian Heraldic Authority through a Grant of Arms, on August 15, 2019.

15.Prolific Author

Author of several works, articles and essays, he has notably published: “A condicão do

Ilhéu: natureza, povo e religiosidade” (Condicão do Ilhéu, 2017, Lisbon), “The Imprimatur:

Ecclesial Tradition, Canonical Basis and Contemporary Function” (1999, Rome).

Portugal and Canada are two special countries with interesting relations with Cameroon

It is quite interesting that José Avelino Bettencourt is a Portuguese-Canadian. Portugal and Canada are two special countries with interesting relations with Cameroon.

Portuguese explorers named Cameroon as a country. They reached the coast in the 15th century and named the area Rio dos Camarões (Shrimp River), which became Cameroon in English. Later, Fulani soldiers founded the Adamawa Emirate in the north in the 19th century, and various ethnic groups of the west and northwest established powerful chiefdoms and fondoms. Cameroon became a German colony in 1884 known as Kamerun. After World War I, it was divided between France and the United Kingdom as League of Nations mandates. The Union des Populations du Cameroun (UPC) political party advocated independence, but was outlawed by France in the 1950s, leading to the national liberation insurgency fought between French and UPC militant forces until early 1971.

In 1960, the French-administered part of Cameroon became independent, as the Republic of Cameroun, under President Ahmadou Ahidjo. The southern part of British Cameroons federated with it in 1961 to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. The federation was abandoned in 1972. The country was renamed the United Republic of Cameroon in 1972 and back to the Republic of Cameroon in 1984 by a presidential decree by president Paul Biya. Biya, the incumbent president, has led the country since 1982 following Ahidjo’s resignation; he previously held office as prime minister from 1975 onward. Cameroon is governed as a Unitary Presidential Republic.

The official languages of Cameroon are French and English, the official languages of former French Cameroons and British Cameroons. Cameroon and Canada have established diplomatic ties since 1962.

Both countries share the use of English and French as the two official languages as well as memberships in the Francophonie and ‘The Commonwealth.’ Cameroon has a high commission in Ottawa. Canada and Cameroon enjoy long standing and friendly bilateral relations. Economic prosperity, the promotion of democratic values, respect for human rights, good governance, official bilingualism and regional security are the pillars of the bilateral relations between the two countries.

From the various farewell events and farewell messages from all different classes of people, it is crystal clear that Archbishop Bettencourt left a lasting legacy of an approachable man in Georgia and Armenia. He mingles with the young and old, rich and poor, people of high class and people of low class, in short, he was approachable to almost everyone. As he arrives Cameroon on November 2, I wish Archbishop Bettencourt a fruitful stay in Cameroon as he carries out his mission.

Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt is coming to a country that has been marked by the Anglophone Crisis (French: Crise anglophone), also known as the Ambazonia War or the Cameroonian Civil War which is an ongoing armed conflict between Cameroon Armed Forces and Ambazonian separatist rebel groups, part of the long-standing Anglophone problem. Following the suppression of 2016– 2017 protests by Cameroonian authorities, separatists in the Anglophone regions (formerly collectively known as the Southern Cameroons) launched a guerrilla campaign and later proclaimed independence. Within two months, the government of Cameroon declared war on the separatists and sent its army into the Anglophone regions. Thus, Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt comes to a country that is undergoing a terrible massacre and it is my hope that God will give him the grace to fulfil his diplomatic mission but also to fulfil his divine mission as a pastor of souls. Welcome to Cameroon. (English); Benvenuti in Camerun.(Italian); Bienvenido a camerun (Spanish); Bienvenue au Cameroun. (French); Willkommen in Kamerun. (German); Bem-vindo aos Camarões (Portuguese).

The “Nchumbonga Lekelefac Institute of Research, Documentation, Language and Culture, USA” ceases this opportunity to heartily welcome Canadian-Portuguese Archbishop José Avelino BETTENCOURT to Cameroon, land of glory and land of promise, Africa in Miniature.

Nchumbonga George Lekelefac, B. Phil., (Mexico); S.T.B., (Rome); J.C.L/M.C.L.,(Ottawa), Diploma in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, Dutch; International Language Tutor of English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and German; Doctorandus, University of Münster, Germany; Europe/ US Chief Correspondent of “The Sun Newspaper” and the “Herald Tribune”; Catholic Media Influencer and Whistle blower; Canon Law Lawyer/Jurist and Researcher; Veteran Contributor on Social Media on Theological and Canonical Enlightenment and Arguments; Founder/ CEO of the “Nchumbonga Lekelefac Institute of Research, Documentation, Language and Culture, USA;” Canon Law Jurist/lawyer of the International League for the Defense of Priests’ Rights, Religious men and women of the Roman Catholic Church (LIDDPRRECR), Paris-France and Representative in North and South America; Member of the Canadian Canon Law Society, Ottawa, Canada. Email: nchumbong@yahoo.com

 

 

 

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