By NOELA EBOB BISONG
The need for peace and reconciliation in Cameroon was echoed during the rededication of the Big Mankon Cathedral in Bamenda, North West Region of Cameroon. The grand event brought together faithful of the Catholic faith in the country, traditional leaders and diplomats, alongside other big faces, to see the edifice rededicated to God.
During the ceremony last November 14, the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon, His Grace José Avelino Bettencourt, urged the faithful to reconcile with one another before offering their gifts to God.
Cameroon’s Head of State was represented at the event by national coordinator of the National Committee for Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration, Fai Yengo Francis, who also brought a message of peace to the event.
He said, “I came with just one message; that people should live in peace. Peace is the lone ingredient without which nothing is possible,”.
speaking at the ceremony,
Achbishop Andrew Nkea of the Bamenda Archdiocese celebrated the Christian folks for their resilience and dedication to the cathedral’s refurbishment. He mentioned that, “This cathedral is a sign of hope that the future will be brighter than the past, and that with God, everything is possible.”
On his part, North West Governor, Adolphe Lele Lafrique commended the catholic church in Big Mankon for providing a symbol of peace to the people of Bamenda, which he said aligns with President Biya’s call for peace.
In his intervention, Minister Felix Mbayu, himself a Catholic faithful, said, “If we can come together to build this structure, we can come together and build peace,” he emphasised.