By Ikome Christie- Noella Eposi
Bishop Immanuel Bushu of the Buea Diocese has said all that is happening with the case against the Church and its leaders is as a result of fasting and prayers. The Man of God revealed that God is intervening in the matter and that Christians should not relent in their prayers.
“We have been doing a lot so far as prayers are concerned and it is because of the prayers, fasting, all night vigils etc that things are the way they are. God is intervening. We just need to talk less and pray more”. Bishop Bushu told The SUN after being quizzed on the future of the Church in the midst of the current lawsuits filed against them by the ‘Consortium of Parents’.
Bishop Immanuel Bushu was speaking on the sidelines of the Eucharistic celebration of the Feast of Divine Mercy on Sunday April 23, 2017 that held at the Molyko co-cathedral, Buea and witnessed the presence of over 1000 catholic Christians from the Diocese of Buea. This year’s feast was celebrated under the theme: “Jesus I trust in you’’, drawn from the gospel according to John 20:19-31.
Drawing the first reading from the book of Acts 2:42-47 and the second reading from I Peter 1:3-9, Bishop Bushu Immanuel centered his message on believe and trust in Christ Jesus. “The center of our lives as Christians is to believe in Jesus. Believe is something everyone has and it should be used judiciously, if not, it will be wasted’’ Bishop Bushu stated.
The bishop equally cautioned everyone to act and think like Christ. According to him, the Christian life should not be focused mainly on miracles but on one’s personal believes and faith in Christ.
The Feast of Divine Mercy comes on the second Sunday after Easter and can also be known as “Octave day’’. Due to the many temptations and tribulations people encounter as humans, the Bishop advised Christians to pray harder and keep believing and trusting on God Almighty in order to overcome all sorts of temptations.
“Divine mercy is the heart of the gospel, so we should all abandon bad things and turn to God. This is the time for reconciliation, confession, forgiveness and showing love for one another. Spiritual and corporal works of mercy should be the daily duty of every Christian”, He added.
Christ is the Ultimate
Talking to the Sun Newspaper at the close of the feast, Bishop Immanuel Bushu said “This is a great celebration for the entire Catholic church. We in Buea concentrated the diocese to the divine mercy though it constitutes three persons; the sacred heart of Jesus and the immaculate heart of Mary. It is indeed a great day for us and I am very glad to say the turnout was enormous’’.
Origin of the Feast of Divine Mercy
Reports have it that Saint Fustina was the secretary of the Divine Mercy message. The Lord requested that a feast of mercy be officially established in the church. This feast emerged from the Lord’s most tender pity and it is confirmed in the depths of his mercy. The feast of mercy is a refuge and shelter for all souls and especially for poor sinners.
According to Tame Jude, a Catholic Christian, “It’s been a wonderful event and I am extremely glad to be part of those favored by God through his Divine mercy. We give all thanks to God Almighty’’.
“I feel very blessed and much honored to be here. I have learnt a lot from the Bishop and I am happy to have celebrated the feast with my fellow Christians. I am so glad I was part of this celebration’’. Quina Blessing, another Christian said.
The festive day celebrated by all Catholics takes place yearly following Jesus’ explanation that, the soul that will go for confession and receive Holy Communion on this special day shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins. So it is believed by all Catholic faithful.
Prior to the Eucharistic celebration of the Feast of Divine Mercy, 8 priest/diaconates received ordination on Thursday April 20 2017 at the Divine Mercy cathedral, Molyko.