By Noela EBOB BISONG
The visit of some Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church in Cameroon, Wednesday, August 13, to the Presidency of the Republic, has opened up debates within circles, with focus on the actual intention/purpose of the visit.
According to a Press Release issued by the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon NECC and signed by its Secretary General, Mgr Paul Nyaga, the Bishops explain that they were invited by the Minister of State, Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic SGPR, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, acting upon the instruction of President Paul Biya.
The Bishops, who are said to be mostly members of the Standing Committee of NECC, were led to the Presidency by Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Bamenda and head of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon.
The SUN gathered that the Bishops were invited to get their contribution towards peace, especially in the wake of the October 12 Presidential election.
Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea maintains that they accepted the presidential invitation, as “bearers of the expectations and concerns of the people.” Reports say two statements were presented to the SGPR during the meeting, a message and pastoral letter earlier published by the Bishops, stating their position with regards to happenings in Cameroon.
Speaking at the close of the visit, Archbishop Fuanya Nkea reacted to the press that their mission is to maintain a good relationship between the Church and the state. He mentioned that they were at the Presidency to see how they can, together with the state work towards peace before, during and after the presidential election. He said the meeting served as an avenue for them to express the sorrow of their faithful/citizens for the SGPR to transmit to the Head of State. The Archbishop said their principal message is that, “all of us Cameroonians have to continue working towards the future without violence.” He also said, “It is important that our Church, the Catholic Church continues working for justice, reconciliation and peace.”
The Bishops’ visit to the Presidency, coming at a time when the SGPR and his collaborators have been consulting with loyalists of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement CPDM party of President Biya, strategising and canvassing support for Biya to get another mandate after 43 years in power, is amongst the top reasons which has got Cameroonians talking. It is no news that Cameroon has been suffering attacks on its peace for several years now, but mixing “peace missions” with political assemblies, observers say does not speak well.
Also, the absence of the Archbishop of Douala, His grace Samuel Kleda, who has been vocal on the failures of the Biya regime and the sufferings of Cameroonians, is another question on the geniuness of the Bishops’ visit.
Some Cameroonians, voicing their frustration, say the threat to peace in Cameroon is not election-triggered but related to poor governance, depicted by bad roads, high cost of living and total hardship.