NEWS, SERVICES

APOSTOLIC WORKERS AND THEIR COLLABORATORS

APOSTOLIC WORKERS AND THEIR COLLABORATORS

  1. CLERGY

 

  1. Diocesan Clergy

There are 136 Diocesan Priests incardinated into the Archdiocese of Bamenda working along with the Religious and Diocesan Priests from other Dioceses. Since 2014, 68 priests have been ordained for the Archdiocese of Bamenda. We render immense thanks to God for the increase in the number of vocations to the Priesthood. At the same time, we still acknowledge that, in spite of the increase, some parishes still have just a single priest to minister to them which means that there is still more need for priests.

As of now, 8 Diocesan Priests from the Archdiocese of Bamenda are studying out of the country, 6 are Fidei Donum Missionaries in the Diocese of Portsmouth in England, 1 in the Diocese of Galveston-Houston, and 1 is in the Archdiocese of Firenze in Italy, with which we have a partnership.  Six (6) Diocesan priests were called to rest by the Lord during this quinquennium.

The Diocesan Priests can be grouped according to the following age groups:

80 years and above:   1

70 – 80 years old:        10

60 – 70 years old:        30

50 – 60 years old:        30

40 – 50 years old:        38

30 – 40 years old:        17

25 – 30 years old:        10

NAME BIRTH ORDINATION
01. Msgr. Clemens NDZE 06/07/1931 18/12/1960
02. Msgr. Engelbert KOFON 02/01/1942 16/12/1966
03. Msgr. Lucas SANOSI 19/08/1944 31/10/1971
04. Fr. John Musi 26/04/1945 28/04/1977
05. Fr. Michael YUH 19/03/1948 28/04/1977
06. Fr. John Bosco AMBE 24/11/1949 28/04/1977
07. Fr. William NEBA 15/12/1951 28/04/1977
08. Fr. Anthony VIBAN 17/01/1950 19/04/1979
09. Fr. John BINTUM 18/11/1950 19/04/1979
10. Fr. Joseph AKEM 28/12/1950 19/04/1979
11. Fr. William TARDZE WIRNGO 10/07/1952                19/041979
12. Fr. Michael KINTANG 11/11/1950 22/04/1981
13. Fr. Henry DINAYEN WIRBA 10/11/1953 14/04/1982
14.  Fr. Clement PISHANGHU 23/11/1956 06/04/1983
15.  Fr. Chrysanthus TIM 05/05/1947 25/04/1984
16.  Fr. Cletus TITA 13/02/1952 25/04/1984
17.  Fr. Humphrey TATAH MBUY 04/06/1957 11/08/1985
18.  Fr. Anthony NGEH 13/02/1954 02/04/1986
19.  Fr. Ignatius WAINDIM 20/07/1961 06/04/1988
20.  Fr. Michael Suh Niba 24/01/1962 06/04/1988
21.  Fr. Martin FORGWE 26/07/1960 03/04/1991
22.  Fr. Joseph TANGKA 24/11/1960 22/04/1992
23.  Fr. Joseph ATEH 25/01/1962 22/04/1992
24.  Fr. Bernadine NSOM 14/06/1962 22/04/1992
25.  Fr. Isaiah Benedict FRU 27/04/1963 22/04/1992
26.  Fr. George Ngalim 10/01/1963 22/04/1992
27.  Fr. George NGWA 12/03/1962 19/03/1994
28.  Fr. Paschal NSAH 28/03/1964 19/04/1995
29.  Fr. Victor FORGHO 06/10/1965 19/04/1996
30.  Fr. Ernest TIMCHIA 04/09/1966 19/04/1996
31.  Fr. Charles NGUOBI

32.  Fr. Jude TAH FONCHAM

 02/08/1962

19/12/1955

 12/06/1996

12/01/1996
33.  Fr. Joseph NCHITU 18/03/1967 02/04/1997
34.  Fr. Oliver GAM 11/10/1961 02/04/1997
35.  Fr. Augustine NKWAIN 21/06/1968 02/04/1997
36.  Fr. Antoninus TANTAN 10/05/1968 15/04/1998
37.  Fr. Gregory CHEO NGWA 10/03/1967 15/04/1998
38.  Fr. Bonaventure NDONG 12/12/1967 15/04/1998
39.  Fr. Paul  ACHA 01/06/1962 02/04/1999
40.  Fr. Anthony  Ful BANGSI 23/02/1967 07/04/1999
41.  Fr. Michael Miabesue BIBI 28/07/1971 26/04/2000
42.  Fr. Cletus  Ashu  AMAH 07/06/1973 23/042003
43.  Fr. Collins OTIA 28/06/1975 14/04/2004
44.  Fr. John BERINYUY 18/12/1975 30/03/2005
45.  Fr. Thomas AMUNGWA 13/10/1973 30/03/2005
46.  Fr. Cyprian DIANG 18/03/1973 19/04/2006
47.  Fr. Michael MUA 21/01/1975 19/04/2006
48.  Fr. Terence CHI 15/06/1975 19/04/2006
49.  Fr. Derek Che CHOH 01/01/1975 11/04/2007
50.  Fr. Raphael ALETUM 01/10/1979 11/04/2007
51.  Fr. Emmanuel SENINKA 21/05/1982 09/04/2010
52.  Fr. Leonard AKIUMBENI 15/02/1983 27/04/2011
53.  Fr. Paul Remjika NYUKIGHAN 26/06/1983 27/04/2011
54.  Fr. Kenneth NGWOBELA 12/07/1984 11/04/2012
55.  Fr. Paul Fru NJOKIKANG 26/05/1983 11/04/2012
56.  Fr. Valentine NDONG Z. 15/02/1981 11/04/2012
57.  Fr. Ignatius BERILIY 17/03/1982 11/04/2012
58.  Fr. Emmanuel Ngu 19/04/1983 03/04/2013
59.  Fr. Valentine KIKPU TATAH 01/07/1973 03/04/2013
60.  Fr. Elijah FRU NDE 16/09/1980 03/04/2013
61.  Fr. Francis Tche Nde M. 05/10/1983 03/04/2013
62.  Fr. Frankline N. Kamgeh 30/11/1984 03/04/2013
63.  Fr. Ernest Njodzeven 27/08/1976 03/04/2013
64.  Fr. Stanley Njobarah 08/07/1983 03/04/2013
65. Fr. Boris Lemfon 08/04/1985 03/04/2013
66. Fr. Emmanuel Ngu 19/04/1983 03/04/2013
67. Fr. John Paul II Ngwa Ambe 22/08/1985 29/05/2014
68. Fr. Patrick Mbih Atang 17/03/1983 29/05/2014
69. Fr. Richard Chin 09/11/1977 29/05/2014
70. Fr. Alban Fonlon Berinyuy 12/06/1986 29/05/2014
71. Fr. Benedick Ndikum 16/02/1982 29/05/2014
72. Fr. Emmanuel Rinda Bamuh 20/12/1980 29/05/2014
73. Fr. Francis Ngong Wam 01/10/1981 29/05/2014
74. Fr. Gatien Ngah 16/11/1984 29/05/2014
75. Fr. Pascal Ambe Fuh 21/04/1985 29/05/2014
76. Fr. Leo Ndanjong Asanga 04/03/1987 08/04/2015
77. Fr. Gilbert Fuka Akoni 14/05/1983 08/04/2015
78. Fr. Lesley Fonye Keman 04/11/1987 08/04/2015
79. Fr. Wilfred Buma Forte 08/03/1984 08/04/2015
80. Fr. Parfait Cheo Zoa 18/04/1988 08/04/2015
81. Fr. Mathurin Armand Samo 17/08/1979 08/04/2015
82. Fr. Gabriel Afumbom Tokoh 09/01/1984 30/03/2016
83. Fr. Patrice Tapie 05/09/1986 30/03/2016
84. Fr. Godlove Ngenge 01/08/1985 30/03/2016
85. Fr. Divine Chi Fru 05/05/1977 30/03/2016
86. Fr. Romaric Njuakom 03/01/1986 30/03/2016
87. Fr. Andre Demanou 09/05/1986 30/03/2016
88. Fr. Gaston Afah Forbah 27/09/1987 30/03/2016
89. Fr. Anthony Chiatii Njingo 30/08/1987 30/03/2016
90. Fr. Bertrand Mangoua 29/04/1987 30/03/2016
91. Fr. Emmanuel Meyanui 24/12/1979 30/03/2016
92. Fr. John Vianney Mbangsi 31/05/1987 30/03/2016
93. Fr. Roland Kang Ategha 09/12/1984 19/04/2017
94. Fr. Killian Ndonui 23/11/1986 19/04/2017
95. Fr. Marius Momukweh 05/04/1985 19/04/2017
96. Fr. Harris Wadinga 03/07/1988 19/04/2017
97. Fr. Kizito Gopte Gopte 14/06/1986 19/04/2017
98. Fr. Marcellus Mbuh 10/07/1985 19/04/2017
99. Fr. Richard Fuh Suh 04/12/1979 19/04/2017
100. Fr. Lionel Kiven 10/02/1992 24/04/2019
101. Fr. Michael Sollivan Ngwa 20/09/1984 24/04/2019
102. Fr. Ferdinand Nsah 30/05/1988 24/04/2019
103. Fr. Beltus Asanji 22/09/1984 24/04/2019
104. Fr. Denis Tem Meh 01/10/1983 24/04/2019
105. Fr. Wilson Formuluh 04/05/1987 24/04/2019
106. Fr. Divine Reemla 12/11/1985 24/04/2019
107. Fr. Hyacinth Kam 25/05/1987 24/04/2019
108. Fr. Niba Angu Ngenyui 12/02/1993 04/07/2020
109. Fr. Vitalis Ake Njang 03/07/1989 04/07/2020
110. Fr. Pancras Ngeh Ngwang 22/03/1987 04/07/2020
111. Fr. Ambrose Saam 07/04/1989 04/07/2020
112. Fr. Colins Berinyuy 17/10/1981 04/07/2020
113. Fr. Aloysius Chukwuka A. 10/07/1973 24/04/2019
114. Fr. Linus Mbikatu Nkwale 17/05/1988 04/07/2020
115. Fr. John Siewe 20/10/1992 04/07/2020
116. Fr. Joseph Awemo 30/10/1986 04/07/2020
117. Fr. Joseph Ngeh 15/08/1985 04/07/2020
118. Fr. Arnauld Kenne Tsayem 06/03/1991 04/07/2020
119. Fr. Paul Che Nkwain 25/08/1988 04/07/2020
120. Fr. Bertrand Zoum Chimewa 15/09/1987 04/07/2020
121. Fr. Remigius Elvis Ngangte 01/10/1987 04/07/2020
122. Aldon Kenne Manfo 03/09/1993 07/04/2021
123. Alexis Akeambom Abeh 07/011994 07/04/2021
124. Dickson Esah 02/11/1988 07/04/2021
125. Eugene Kum Chu 08/05/1989 07/04/2021
126. EUGENE Wokiashi Powoh 08/09/1988 07/04/2021
127. Ivo Suh Ngwa 31/01/1991 07/04/2021
128. John Paul Limnyuy 15/03/1983 07/04/2021
129. Maxellus Keye 29/09/1990 07/04/2021
130. Valery Bemsii Nyah 18/03/1991 07/04/2021
131. Alphonsius Tangko 29/04/1989 07/04/2021
132. Emmanuel Sevidzem 01/11/1987 07/04/2021
133. Lambert  Eseme Etim 14/11/1990 07/04/2021
134. Stephen Ewane Nchadze 26/12/1989 07/04/2021

 

 

  • Diocesan Priests out of the Country

 

  1. Rev. Fr. Paul REMJIKA                     Italy
  2. Rev. Fr. Francis NGONG WAM Italy
  3. Rev. Fr. Antoninus TANTAN             Italy
  4. Rev. Fr. Cyprian DIANG TOH           Italy
  5. Rev. Fr. Kenneth NGWOBELA Italy
  6. Rev. Fr. Gatien NGAH Italy
  7. Rev. Fr. Frankline KAMGEH Italy
  8. Rev. Fr. Anthony CHIATII NJINGO    England
  9. Rev. Fr. Gaston AFAH                      England
  10. Rev. Fr. Elijah FRU NDE                  England
  11. Rev. Fr. Emmanuel RINDA BAMUH England
  12. Rev. Fr. George NGWA England
  13. Rev. Fr. Bernardine NSOM England
  14. Rev. Fr. Gregory NGWA CHEO U.S.A
  15. Rev. Fr Godlove NGENGE South Africa

 

  • Deceased Diocesan Clergy

 

     NAME:                                                 DIED

  1. Fr. Paul VERDZEKOV 26/01/2010
  2. Fr. Donatus BASEBANG 02/12/1987
  3. Fr. Peter CHU                                  31/01/1994
  4. Fr. Ivo NDICHIA                 02/01/1999
  5. Fr. Peter AMAH             30/11/1999
  6. Fr. Henry MESUE 09/02/2003
  7. Fr. Timothy SOH             20/01/2006
  8. Fr. Valentine NGORAN 31/01/2008
  9. Fr. Emmanuel LUKONG 13/01/2009
  10. Fr. Peter MUKONG 13/12/2010
  11. Msgr. James NSOKIKA 10/08/2013
  12. Fr. Christian MOFOR 11/06/2015
  13. Fr. Evaristus YUFANYI 24/08/2015
  14. Fr. Arnold AMBE 16/09/2016
  15. Msgr Joseph AYEAH 30/08/2019
  16. Fr. Cosmas NDANG NGONG 00/00/2019
  17. Fr. Joseph NGAH 02/02/2021
  18. Fr. Patrick LAFON 04/03/2021

 

  • Diocesan Priests from Other Dioceses

 

NAME BIRTH ORDINATION
1/ Fr. Joseph Awoh 07/05/1962 07/04/1991
2/ Fr. Bartholomew Anyanwu 23/02/1967 20/04/1995
3/ Fr. Peter Foleng 03/01/1961 16/04/1993
4/ Fr. Anthony Yilaka 02/10/1957 04/04/1986
5/ Fr. Peter Takov 09/05/1965 25/03/1994
6/ Fr. Eugene Nkardzedze

7/ Fr. Charles Berinyuy

8/ Fr. Gordian Baba

9/ Fr. Joseph Clifford Ndi

10/ Fr. Eugene Ngalim

11/ Fr. Augustine Muambo

12/ Fr. Primus Tendongmo

 29/09/1970

09/01/1979

03/09/1972

12/05/1975

17/05/1981

23/04/1977

09/05/1975

 16/04/1997

16/04/2009

24/04/2003

24/04/2003

27//04/2011

06/05/2012

22/04/2014
13/ Fr. Edward Siani
14/ Fr. Remi P. Fonka
15/ Fr. Evans Shang
16/ Fr. Julius Ageboh

17. Fr. Martin Njikang

 

 

  1. Clergy of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life

 

In the Archdiocese of Bamenda, there are 35 Priests spread in 16 different communities of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

 

NAME BIRTH ORDINATION
     
01. Fr. Henri Peeters 09/02/1940 12/07/1964
02. Fr. Arnold Verhoeven 31/11/1943 28/06/1969
03. Fr. Monday Noah 09/11/1981 10/05/2014
04. Fr. Chrysantus Mbiemieh Manu 30/03/1986 24/02/2017
05. Fr. Ndichia Anthony Ndang 11/07/1982 04/02/2012
06. Fr. Ohanga Benedict Oduor 07/08/1983 16/05/2015
07. Fr. Shudzeka Elvis Berka 04/07/1973 29/07/2006
08. Fr.  Tatah Johnson Leinteng 09/08/1984 13/02/2015
09. Fr. Ephraim Ugodu 27/07/1978 16/08/2013
10. Fr. Joseph Menjo Tangka 02/06/1942 08/12/1977
11. Fr. Stephen Wara                12/04/1958 12/01/1996
12. Fr. Ewang Ndille Michael 20/04/1947 31/05/1997
13. Fr. Charles Raymond A. 17/04/1950 11/05/2001
14. Fr. Rory O’BRIEN   29/10/1929 10/04/1955
15. Fr. Brian BYRNE 12/09/1944 11/04/1971
16. Fr. Angel VALENZUELA  S. 19/11/1943    23/09/1967
17. Fr. Aloysius Ngongbi Kongnyuy 30/04/1984 19/07/2013
18. Fr. Wirkom Donatus Moshuimo 01/02/1971            12/04/2007
19. Fr. Pascal Fomonyuy Tatah 28/03/1976   12/04/2007
20. Fr. Siver Kibuh    15/04/1977 22/06/2013
21. Fr. Cornelius Bamenjo Wirsiy 02/04/1984  09/04/2015
22. Fr. Jude Berinyuy Lukong 05/09/1979           13/05/2013
23. Fr. Martin Dikwa  28/04/1980   14/04/2012
24. Fr. Gioacchino Catanzaro   01/01/1946           27/05/1973              
25. Fr. Emil Nyuyki Fon  20/03/1988           04/07/2020
26. Fr. Kenneth Kinyuy   11/05/1978   1604/2009
27. Fr. Amos Bongdin  23/11/1985            09/04/2015
28. Fr. Valentine SAHNYUY     27/01/1979   24/06/1920
29. Fr. Kenneth Njong Akua     09/01/1988 01/19/2019
30. Fr. Didier Hadonou 23/05/1968          09/05/2004  
31. Fr. Emile Kouma  22/05/1970 17/02/2007
32. Fr. James Nguemo KENFACK 09/11/1980        25/01/2020
33. Fr. Serge MPANGA KWANDA 07/07/1979           24/04/2019
34. Fr. Erwin HINDANG 15/10/1966 20/06/2006
35. Fr. Placid MUNTONG GWEH 14/03/1988 28/04/2019  
36. Fr. Dieudonné Ngenso BOMYE 05/02/1980         10/08/2012
37. Fr. Prosper Nyuydze Kunse   07/03//1984 27/04/2019     
38. Fr. Francis Njoko Domleu 02/02/1981 23/02/2013
39. Fr. Joseph Kuate 03/02/1968         27/01/2001
40. Fr. Salomon Edinguele 01/09/1987                              27/04/2019
41. Fr. Nnomo Zambo Emmanuel 08/05/1975 25/04/2009
42. Fr. Armand Janvier FESSI 11/05/1958 21/07/1984
43. Fr. Jean Baptiste NSIMI B. 29/08/1973 24/04/2009
44. Fr. Sanama Sidiang Robert 18/10/1971 07/07/2007
45. Fr. Emeribe Chibuzo Marcel      16/01/1973 06/08/2011
  1. Fr. Augistine Ojiribe
  2. Fr. Michael Eze Ukwu

 

 

  1. Members of the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life

 

  1. Male Clerical and Non-Clerical Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life

 

 

Male Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life  in the Archdiocese at the Period covered by this Report are:

 

  • Mill Hill Missionaries

 

The Mill Hill Missionaries, officially known as St. Joseph’s Missionary Society, was founded in 1866, in Mill Hill, North West London, England by Herbert Cardinal Vaughan.  It is a Society of Apostolic life and of Pontifical Right. The Society’s fundamental charism is working in the area of Primary Evangelization. However, now it also focuses on inter-faith dialogue, justice and peace issues, Reconciliation and Mission animation. The Society started its missionary work in Cameroon in 1922 when the Apostolic Prefecture of Buea was entrusted to them by the Holy See. They started in Bonjongo, then moved up to Shisong (now Kumbo Diocese) in 1923 and then to Njinikom in the Archdiocese of Bamenda which was erected into a Parish in 1927. They have been the pioneers of the evangelization of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda and at the heart of the work of evangelization in the Archdiocese of Bamenda since its creation, collaborating with the Local Ordinaries and the local clergy in the establishment of many early parishes and educational institutions.

 

Up to the time of this report, they were entrusted with the pastoral administration of only one Parish, namely, St. Jude’s Parish, Fundong. But since 2005, and with their increasing numbers, their pastoral commitment to the Archdiocese is also on the increase. Besides being engaged in Parish Pastoral Ministry in the Archdiocese, one of their members is part of the staff in St. Thomas’ Aquinas Major Seminary, one of them was a member of the Archdiocesan College of Consultors and the Presbyteral Council. St. Theresia Parish, Ilung has also been entrusted to the Pastoral care of the Mill Hill Missionaries. At the moment, there are ten Mill Hill Missionaries, eight Priests and two Brothers, serving in the Archdiocese of Bamenda.

 

They have a Formation House with an increasing number of candidates from the Archdiocese of Bamenda. In fact, the Formation House is being extended to provide accommodation for about 40 candidates. The candidates are sent to the Catholic University of Cameroon – Bamenda for their philosophical formation. Their Theological formation takes place outside the Archdiocese and outside the Country. Presently, they have twenty-nine Mill Hill Missionaries from Cameroon, twenty of whom are from the Archdiocese, serving as Missionaries in different parts of the World.

 

Being the pioneers of the evangelization of the Archdiocese, they have been considered as our fathers in the faith, and so, up till now, the relationship of collaboration with them in the work of evangelization has been taken for granted and based on tradition, mutual understanding and gentleman’s agreement. We are grateful to the General Superior, the Very Rev. Father Michael Corcoran, MHM, the Society Superior for Cameroon, Rev. Fr. Richard Njoroge, who, in June 2021 officially departed from Cameroon, and to all of them for their availability to continue to be at the service of mission in the Archdiocese particularly engaging in primary evangelization work and working side by side with the Diocesan clergy.

 

  • The Monks of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance

 

Presently, the Cistercian Abbey of Our Lady of Bamenda has Twenty-five (25) members divided as follows:

Twenty (21) solemnly professed Monks.  (4) of these are priests,

Four (4) temporarily professed Monks,

No Novices,

No Postulants,

They have not been able to elect an Abbot since 2013. At the moment, Brother Polycarp is acting as the superior Prior Administrator of the Abbey.

 

  • The Claretian Missionaries

 

Up till 2017, the Claretian Missionaries were entrusted with the running of two Parishes, namely, Christ the King’s Parish, Fuli-Kom and Our Lady of Assumption Parish, Santa. Because of the Anglophone crises that hit Kom so terribly, the Fathers in Fuli-Kom withdrew. The Claretian Missionaries are now present only in Santa.

 

At present, there are three (3) Claretian Missionary Priests in Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Santa. A Contract between them and the Archdiocese has been signed according to the Code of Canon Law.

 

  • The Conceptionists or Sons of the Immaculate Conception (CFIC)

 

The Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception, otherwise known as the “Conceptionists” are an Institute of Consecrated Life of Pontifical Right. It was founded on 8th September 1857 by Blessed Luigi Maria Monti. It is made up of Priests and Brothers with equal rights and duties. The present Superior General is a Rev. Brother. Their charism is Charity, serving the needy youth and the sick.

 

They have been in the Archdiocese of Bamenda since 1989. The Parish of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Njimafor has been entrusted to their pastoral care. The priests do full time services in the pastoral work while the Brothers, as students, cooperate in the service of the Parish. They have special attention and care for needy children, sponsoring a good number of them in the school and for the medical care when they are sick. They are the Custodians of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady, Mother of the Redeemer – Redemptoris Mater – Jangma which is located in Njimafor Parish.

 

They have a Formation House in Njimafor and a good number of vocations from the Archdiocese of Bamenda and the Diocese of Kumbo. Some of them are already Perpetually Professed and priests serving in the missionary field of the Congregation in different continents. Presently, the community in Njimafor is made up of two Priests and three Brothers. The brothers are currently running the Medical Health facility that the Congregation opened last year, 2020.

We are grateful to them for the services which they are rendering to the People of God in the Archdiocese of Bamenda.

 

  • The Order of the Pious Schools (Piarists) or Calasanzians

 

Presently, the Piarists Fathers have two communities in the Archdiocese of Bamenda: St. Michael’s Parish, Futru, and the Agro-Pastoral Project at Menteh. The community in Futru has six priests and the Scholasticate 2 priests with six candidates doing the first year Philosophy and Sixteen candidates in second year Philosophy at the Catholic University of Cameroon (CATUC) – Bamenda. The community in Menteh has three priests and two Brothers, who ensure the proper running of their Agro-Pastoral school there. They also run a secondary school and a teachers training college

 

  • The Order of Friars Minor, Capuchins

 

The Order of Friars Minor, Capuchins have one community in Bambui with six Priests, six finally professed Brothers, four of whom are studying in St. Thomas Aquinas’ Major Seminary, Bambui. There are nine Post Novices studying in the Friary.

 

They are deeply involved in pastoral and social apostolates. Since the last Quinquennial Report, they have taken over the running of the Emmaus Centre which caters for the mentally disturbed homeless people. One of the Priests is in charge of the Prisons’ apostolate. Two brothers work in the vocations’ group of the Parish and two in the Archdiocesan Vocations Team. They take Masses in Bambui Parish and beyond. They were entrusted with the pastoral care of the faithful of St. Bernard’s Parish Kedjom Ketingo.

 

1.7 The Marist Fathers

 

The Marist Fathers have one community in the Archdiocese which is administering Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Bambili which was created in August 1997 and entrusted to them. They are also taking care of the Chaplaincy for the students in CCAST (Cameroon College of Arts, Science and Technology). They have established a Handicapped Centre as work proper to them.

 

Presently, there are two priests in their community. We have just renewed the Contract with them.

 

  • Patrick’s Missionary Society (The Kiltegans)

 

St. Patrick’s Missionary Society or the Kiltegans is an Irish Society of Apostolic Life. At the moment, there is only one Kiltegan Priest serving in the Archdiocese of Bamenda, the one-time, coordinator of two houses for mentally disturbed homeless people in Bamenda urban area, presently the Principal of St. Gabriel’s Technical /Commercial College, Bafmeng, which is a diocesan school.

 

  • The Xaverian Missionaries

 

The Pious Society of Saint Francis Xavier for the Foreign Missions or the Xaverians had one member working in the Archdiocese of Bamenda. He opened St. Paul’s Parish, Benakuma, where he served as Parish Priest for almost two decades. He got retired and took residence in the same parish, but later left due to ill health and could not return when the armed conflict in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon escalated. Hence, the society gradually faced out of the diocese.

 

  • The Augustinian Fathers

 

The Order of the Augustinians Discalced (OAD) is a reformed form of the Order of St Augustine (OSA). It was born on May 1592. The Order is a clerical Institute of Consecrated Life of Pontifical Right. Their charism is: “Service of the Most High in the spirit of humility”. Their General House is in Rome, and the Superior General is Fr. Gabriele Ferlisi. They have communities in Europe, South America and Asia. They were invited to make a foundation in the Archdiocese of Bamenda in 2008. Their first community was established in St. Joseph’s Parish, Bafut where they have already started a Formation House. This is their first foundation in Africa.

 

After about a year of introduction to the pastoral programme of the Archdiocese, the pastoral care of St. Joseph’s Parish, Bafut has been entrusted to them. A Contract between them and the Archdiocese has been signed according to the directives of the Code of Canon Law. The community is made up of the following members: three priests, six postulants and four aspirants. The members of the community are:

 

Rev. Fr. Erwin Hindang Jose- Superior

 

 

  • The Marist Brothers of the Schools

 

The Marist Brothers of the Schools, before the Anglophone Crisis, had two communities in the Archdiocese, with six finally professed members and five in temporal vows. Four of them were serving in St. Joseph’s College, Mbengwi, an Archdiocesan secondary school that was entrusted to them, while seven of them served in St. Albert’s Comprehensive College, Bafut which was opened by them in 2004. When the crisis reached drastic levels with schools being shut down, the Marist Brothers had to temporarily shut down their schools as well.

 

We have signed a Contract with them concerning the running and the administration of St. Joseph’s College, Mbengwi.

 

  • The Brothers of St. John of God

 

The Hospitaller Brothers of Saint John of God have two Communities in the Archdiocese with one priest and five Brothers finally professed and one Brother in temporal vows. They run a Health Centre and pastorally assist the priests of St. Sebastian’s Parish, Batibo. They equally run a Health centre in Abangoh quarter Bamenda.

 

  • The Little Brothers of Jesus

 

A small community of the Little Brothers of Jesus in Bamenda is made up of three finally professed and one temporarily professed members. Besides their witness of a life of contemplation in the midst of the people, one of them is in charge of the Archdiocesan Department for Construction.

 

Male Institutes of Consecrated Life that have come and left the Archdiocese during the period of this report

 

 

 

  • Sons of Mary, Mother of Mercy (SMMM)

 

Two members of the Congregation of Sons of Mary, Mother of Mercy came to the Archdiocese in January 2021. When they arrived, they were assigned two parishes of the Archdiocese (St. Patrick’s Parish, Njinteh and All Saints Parish, Bayelle) to get familiar with the basic policies and functioning of the Archdiocese. In April 2021, they were assigned to begin two parishes in the Archdiocese: St. John Bosco’s Quasi Parish, Bawum – Bafut and Santa Mbei.

 

  1. Female Institutes of Consecrated Life

 

There are 229 Women Religious distributed into 18 different Institutes of Consecrated Life who are living and working in the Archdiocese of Bamenda. Since the last Quinquennial Report, 7 new Institutes of Consecrated Life have made foundations in the Archdiocese of Bamenda, namely, the Capuchin Sisters, Sisters of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, Handmaid Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus, Sisters of the Cross, Sisters of Charity of Saint Jeanne Antide Thouret, Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Fatima and the Passionist Sisters. We shall now look at the various activities they carry out in the Archdiocese of Bamenda.

 

New Female Institutes of Consecrated Life which have made Foundations in the Archdiocese of Bamenda since the last Quinquennial Report

 

2.1. The Capuchin Sisters

 

The Capuchin sisters arrived in Bambili, in the Archdiocese of Bamenda on 11th October, 2004 and were officially welcomed by the Parishioners on 24th October, 2004. Their Charism is to love God, “The Supreme Good” and to serve him in the least of their brothers and sisters as apostles of grace and salvation, with a special attention to the youth and the sick, to be well devoted to the Eucharist and united in one heart. They are a true family in the Lord, living in poverty, simplicity and humility following the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi.

 

Since they arrived in the Archdiocese of Bamenda, they have had a successful mission in getting candidates who follow their way of life in the Capuchin spirit to serve God and His people by being simple and little among the people of God. As of now, they have 4 finally professed Sisters, 3 temporal professed sisters and 12 postulants. They are involved in education at the Nursery and Primary levels, as well as fully engaged in pastoral activities in Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Bambili, especially assisting in distributing Holy Communion, as well as bringing Holy Communion to the sick in their homes.

 

At the Parish level, they are involved in Pastoral work, and they participate in different prayer and action groups, and also assist in the educational life of the Parish by taking care of the Nursery and Primary School. They teach pupils to grow mentally, spiritually and morally, to be good citizens tomorrow. In all, their missionary work in the Archdiocese of Bamenda has been successful till date.

 

2.2. Sisters of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus

 

The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Therese of the Child Jesus of Buea Diocese is an Institute of Consecrated Life of Diocesan Right. It was founded by the Rt. Rev. Jules Peeters, Bishop of Buea in 1963. They have communities in the Dioceses of Buea, Kumbo, Mamfe, Douala and in one Diocese in Spain. They carry out the following apostolates: Education, Health Care, Pastoral and Social Work in Parishes and the Prisons.

 

They arrived in the Archdiocese of Bamenda on the 27th September, 2007. Their Charism is love and unity, expressed in joyful simplicity. They have one Community in the Archdiocese of Bamenda with two members. Since their arrival in the Archdiocese of Bamenda, they have been involved in Health Care. They work at the Diocesan Health Centre known as St. Blaise Clinic. Their vision is to assist St. Blaise to develop and offer some specialized Medical Care to the inhabitants of the Archdiocese of Bamenda and beyond.

 

Notwithstanding the challenges that they face, they have excelled in their ministry to the sick and are doing everything possible to bring relief to the many patients who come there on daily basis. With the growth of this Health Centre, many people will have access to health care at a very affordable cost.

 

2.3. Congregation of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus

 

The Congregation of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus is an Institute of Consecrated Life of Pontifical Right, founded on 15th January 1931 by Mother Mary Charles Magdalen Walker, a Religious of the Sisters of Charity. She came to Nigeria under the invitation of Bishop Joseph Shanahan, then Prefect Apostolic of Southern Nigeria to help in the education and evangelization of women and children.

 

Their Charism is “All-embracing charity”. The members, following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Handmaid of the Lord, carry out the following apostolates: Education, Health Care, Pastoral Ministry and Social Work. They have communities in Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Togo, Sierra Leone, Kenya, England, Italy, Germany, the United States of America and Canada. In Cameroon, they have communities in the Dioceses of Buea and Kumbo.

 

The Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus arrived the Archdiocese of Bamenda in September 2010 and founded a community in St. Francis Xavier’s Parish, Bali where they have established and run a college of their own, namely, Ancilla Catholic Comprehensive College, Wosing –Bali.  Their vision is to assist in the work of evangelization through education in the Archdiocese of Bamenda. Their community is made up of 4 Sisters, three finally professed and one temporarily professed.

 

2.4. Congregation of the Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod

 

The Congregation of the Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod is an Institute of Consecrated Life of Pontifical Right which was started in Chavanod, South East of France, in 1838 by Mother Claudine Echernier and Father Pierre Marie Mermier. Their charism is to participate generously in the Mystery of Jesus’ death and Resurrection in the world for the salvation of all mankind. They are concerned in making God known and loved by all. They are involved in education, health care, pastoral work and social work. They have communities in Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America and North America. They have been in Cameroon in the Archdiocese of Yaounde since 1987.

The sisters packed out of the Diocese due to Anglophone Crises.

 

2.5. Missionary Sisters of our Lady of Fatima

 

The Congregation, initially called “Missionary Daughters of our Lady of Fatima”, simply known today as: “Sisters of Our Lady of Fatima”, was founded on 2nd October 1949, in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima at Pieve (Perugia) in Italy, by Mother Emma Pia Pignanelli. She died in 1975.  It is an Institute of Consecrated Life of Diocesan Right with the Generalate in the Archdiocese of Reggio Calabria, Italy. Their Charisma is Marian-Franciscan, inspired by the message of our Lady of Fatima, centred on the daily prayers and sacrifices for the conversion of sinners in the whole world, the propagation of the rosary, through the poor, chaste and obedient lifestyle of St. Francis. Such charisma is manifested in an apostolic form through the education of children, youth, with the Samaritan care towards the needy, abandoned and orphans.

 

Through contact with a Diocesan Priest of Kumbo Diocese, they started getting vocations from Cameroon before they were invited by the then Archbishop of Bamenda to make a Foundation in the Archdiocese of Bamenda. They arrived Bamenda on 18th November 2009 and started a community in Immaculate Conception Parish, Ngomgham, which is made up of two Professed Sisters. Since their arrival in the Archdiocese, they are fully involved in pastoral activities of the Parish at all levels. At the diocesan level, they carry out any activity assigned to them working in close collaboration with the Bishops. They have a Formation House and eight young girls in formation. The community is made up of 7 members, two finally professed, five in temporal vows and three postulants.

 

We thank God for their presence, and we hope and desire that they will grow and found many more communities in the Archdiocese of Bamenda.

 

2.6. Congregation of the Sisters of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Passionist Sisters)

 

This Congregation was created in 1918 in Poland by Mother Josepha Halacinska. It is an Institute of Consecrated Life of Pontifical Right, and follows the Rule of the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi. It is both contemplative and active. Their charism is to glorify God through prayer and, and to work for the salvation of mankind. Their spirituality is centred on the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Their apostolate includes education and the care of children and youth, catechetical and pastoral work with Christian movements and associations, social and charitable work, medical work, etc. They have communities in Poland, Canada, Italy, Germany and Cameroon. They have been in Cameroon since 1986 and have two communities in the Archdiocese of Bertoua.

 

Through the invitation of the Archbishop Emeritus of Bamenda, they arrived in the Archdiocese of Bamenda on 09 August, 2013 and founded a community in Santa Mbei, Assumption Parish, Santa. For the moment, they have three members in their community, one finally professed and two temporarily professed.

 

Presently, they are involved in the work of education in the Nursery and Primary School in the Parish. In future, they hope to get involved in health care.

 

2.7. Sisters of Divine Providence

 

At the invitation of the Archbishop, the Sisters of Divine Providence came to the Archdiocese of Bamenda in June 2021. They are in control of the Health Centre in Our Lady of Lourde’s Parish, Njindom.

 

Female Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life which have been in the Archdiocese before the period of this Report.

 

 

2.8.   Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi

 

Since the last Quinquennial Report, the communities of the Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis have grown from eight to nine, the youngest being Ntasen. They have a total of 91 sisters, 60 finally professed and 31 in temporal vows who live and work in the Archdiocese of Bamenda.

 

New developments within the congregation comprise:

 

Health:

Njinikom hospital: Construction of Project Hope – Centre for HIV/AIDS patients; a new theatre, a new pharmacy; a new physiotherapy department; a new maternity; and a new surgical ward. The hospital has a new Matron, four resident doctors and 235 beds.

Bafut Health Centre; 105 beds and two resident doctors and a     new Matron.

Ntasen Hospital: Construction of a new maternity.

SAJOCAH (St. Joseph’s Children and Adults Home) which serves as centre for the handicapped and rehabilitation presently has two 200 beds.

 

 

 

Education:

St. Maria Goretti’s Vocational/Technical College, Njinikom was upgraded to a Comprehensive High School.

 

Formation:

The Postulancy was moved from Shisong to Bafut.

A new building with 60 beds was constructed at La Verna Spiritual Centre to host renewal courses, meetings, retreats, and rest.

 

The Congregation held a Provincial Chapter in 2019, all at La Verna Spiritual Centre. For the first time in the history of the congregation, no expatriate was elected to the Provincial Council – the new Provincial Council is made up only of indigenous sisters.

 

Unfortunately, up till now, there has not been a proper Contract between the Archdiocese of Bamenda and the Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis concerning all the works of the apostolate they are carrying out in the Archdiocese of Bamenda, whether they have been entrusted to them or they are works proper to their Congregation. It is absolutely necessary that this is done as soon as possible according to the regulations of the Code of Canon Law.

 

2.9.   The Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary

 

Since the last Quinquennial Report, the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary have maintained three Communities in the Archdiocese of Bamenda, with a total of Sixteen Sisters. These Communities are Akum, Mankon and Ngomgham. Ngomgham is the West African Candidacy of the Congregation and presently has twenty-two candidates.

 

The new developments in the Congregation comprise the following:

  • The establishment of the Treasure Centre, a school for children with intellectual and physical impairment.
  • One of the Sisters is serving as the Archdiocesan Health Coordinator.
  • The construction of an Out-Patients Department, a Mortuary and a Theatre at the Holy Family Health Centre, Akum and the employment of two resident doctors.
  • The election of one of the Sisters originally from the Archdiocese of Bamenda as a Councillor in the General Council of the Congregation.

 

At present, we are working on a new Contract between the Archdiocese of Bamenda and the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary concerning Our Lady of Lourdes College, Mankon whose running was entrusted to them right from the beginning of its establishment.

 

2.10.   The Dominican Sisters

 

The Sisters of the Order of Preachers continue to make an important contribution to the work of evangelization in this Archdiocese as one of its spiritual power houses. They are very much appreciated by the faithful. This is shown by the growing number of them who are attracted to become Lay Dominicans. The Dominican Monastary in Bambui presently has Eighteen nuns, all solemnly professed, four novices and one postulant.

 

Since the last Quinquennial Report, it has realized one major development, namely, the completion of a Large Guest house and the installation of digital Machines for production of liturgical vestments. The installation of the Solar Panels in currently going on.

 

During a recent Chapter, they elected a new Prioress. There is need to continue to consolidate their monastic tradition and spirituality according to the demands of “Sponsa Verbi”.

 

2.11.   The Sisters of the Holy Union

 

The Holy Union Sisters have moved from two communities in the last Quinquennial Report to four communities. The two new communities are in St. Mary’s Catholic Comprehensive High School, Ndop and St. Paul’s Comprehensive College, Nkwen, respectively. St. Mary’s Catholic Comprehensive High School is owned and run by them. St. Paul’s Comprehensive College, Nkwen belongs to the Archdiocese of Bamenda in which the Sisters serve as part of the administrative and teaching staff. One of them is Bursar and the other is on the teaching staff. In the four communities, there are twelve (12) finally professed sisters, while those in temporal vows are thirteen (13).

 

The new developments realized since the last Quinquennial Report include:

  • The completion of the convent at the new site of St. Mary’s College.
  • The transformation of the old site of St. Mary’s College into a Centre for spiritual activities, Conferences and Seminars.
  • The establishment of a Health Centre in part of the plot of the Old Site of St. Mary’s College.
  • The construction of a multi-purpose building in Baba I serving as a Postulancy and a spiritual centre.

 

2.12.   The Sisters Servants of Mary

 

The Sisters Servants of Mary, Ministers to the Sick, have two communities: in Widikum and in Alakuma – Mankon, with a total of thirty-two (34) sisters, nineteen (20) finally professed and thirteen (14) with temporal vows. There are seven Novices in the Formation House.

 

Since the last Quinquennial Report, the following developments have been realized:

  • The upgrading of St. Maria Soledad’s Health Centre to a hospital with three doctors.
  • The establishment of the Juniorate in Widikum which automatically stopped the sending out of the Temporarily Professed Sisters to other Countries for their intensive Juniorate.

 

2.13.   The Sisters of St. Ann

 

The Sisters of St. Ann have four Communities in Bamenda Archdiocese, including the new community which has been established to take care of the newly open Divine Mercy Centre. It is situated about two kilometres from the Formation House. This new community serves as a centre for the promotion of the Divine Mercy Devotion, counselling, retreats, pro-life and family apostolate issues, and has a chapel for Eucharistic Adoration which is open to the public during the day. It equally has a multi-purpose hall.

 

Some members of the congregation are responsible for the catechetical formation and the preparation of students of Government and lay private colleges in Bamenda urban area for the Sacraments of Initiation at the Archdiocesan level. They also follow up and promote the activities of the Young Christian students (YCS).

 

Number of finally professed Sisters: 16

Number of temporarily professed sisters: 08

 

2.14.   The Sisters of Christ (Union Mysterium Christi)

 

The sisters of Christ have only one community in the Archdiocese of Bamenda with five members, Four finally professed and one temporarily professed. They are deeply involved in pastoral and social work in St. Peter’s Parish, Bambui.

 

2.15.   The Infant Jesus Sisters

 

These sisters who resided at Fundong left the area because of the heightening Socio-political Crises that hit the area so much.

 

2.16.   The Calasanzian Sisters

 

The Calasanzian Sisters have one community in the Archdiocese. Presently, the community is made up of three sisters, all finally professed and nine postulants. They own and run a Nursery School. In addition to their Education apostolate mentioned in the last Quinquennial Report, they have opened two institutions:

  • Divine Shepherdess Home Care Centre for girls that are orphans or victims of HIV/AIDS.
  • Centre for the Promotion of Women for both normal and mentally sick girls. A big house is being constructed to accommodate these two centres.

 

2.17. Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart

 

The Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart have one community in the Archdiocese of Bamenda, with one finally professed Sister, three temporarily professed sisters and ten postulants.

 

Since the last Quinquennial Report, they have moved into their newly constructed convent and Formation house, and have opened a Nursery School in their new site. They remain deeply involved in pastoral work in Njimafor Parish.

 

2.18. Little Sisters of Jesus

 

The small community of the Little Sisters of Jesus in Bamenda has four members striving daily to live a contemplative life centred on the Eucharist and lived in the midst of the world, sharing the Good News through a presence of friendship.

 

  1. Lay Collaborators

 

  1. The Focolare Movement

 

The Focolare Movement, also known as the Work of Mary, has two communities in the Archdiocese of Bamenda: one for the Male Branch – the Focolarini – in St. John the Baptist Parish, Foncha Street, Nkwen and the other for the Female Branch – the Focolarine – in St. Pius X’s Parish, Akum. The community of the Male Branch is made up of 3 members, while that of the Female Branch is made up of 3 members. Last year, they lost one of their leading female members from Uganda. They have quite a good number of Volunteers or Friends of the Movement, among them a number of Diocesan Priests and Religious.

 

They continue to organize annually the Mariapolis encounters for families and young people and to carry out the so-called programme of the New Evangelization, especially in St. Pius X’s Parish, Akum which promotes dialogue between Christianity and the African Traditional Religions. One of them was in charge of the Archdiocesan Mechanical and Technical Centre. Another runs an Optical Centre in St. Blaise Clinic, Mankon.

 

  1. Auxiliaries of the Apostolate

 

The Auxiliaries of the Apostolate were founded by Cardinal Mercier in France. They are neither an Institute of Consecrated Life nor a Society of Apostolic Life. These are mostly lay women who want to dedicate themselves to the service of the Particular Church, living their consecration in the world. The call is addressed to an individual lay woman by her Bishop, a call which establishes her in an apostolic vocation. As a lay woman, the Auxiliary shares exactly the same conditions as those among whom she lives, personally assuming her own responsibilities and providing for her own needs like any other lay person. As a consequence of this call, it is necessary that the Auxiliary of the Apostolate surrenders her entire life to God and does not marry; neither is she allowed to have children of her own. Since it is a diocesan vocation, it is normally in the diocese that an auxiliary receives the necessary formation before the call and continues to receive throughout her whole life.

 

There are three members of the Auxiliaries of the Apostolate living and working in the Archdiocese of Bamenda. They work in the office of the coordination and animation of the Catholic Women Association on the archdiocesan, provincial and national levels, the Education Secretariat, the Archdiocesan Book Centre, the Archbishop’s House, Bamenda and the Archdiocesan Bakery.

 

  1. Catechists

 

The Decree on the Church’s Missionary Activity, Ad Gentes Divinitus, n. 17 says that “the role of catechists is of the highest importance” in the work of evangelization, for the catechists are “true co-workers of the priestly order”.  For them to carry out this role effectively, there is need for formation.

 

Consequently, during the last decade, the formation of full time and part time catechists has been our priority. This is carried out by the Maryvale Institute in Bamenda. Candidates are chosen by the various parishes who sponsor their formation in the Institute. The Archdiocese subsidizes their lodging. One of the difficulties encountered in the process of formation is that most of them do not have the basic qualification needed to do the programme. To remedy this, the members of the Maryvale Formation Team go round the parishes every year to continue updating the catechists and the entire Christian community with the Echoes and Anchoring Christ programmes. Many have found this to be very valuable.

 

The Chaplain for Catechists organizes Formation Seminars for parish Catechists two times a year. For this, the Catechists usually come together according to deaneries in order to ease movement and catering. There is also an Annual Retreat for all the Catechists of the Archdiocese at the Paul VI Memorial Pastoral Centre, Bamendankwe, organized by the Chaplain.

 

There is an Episcopal Vicar for Catechists who follows them up very closely and attends to their various needs and refers the difficult situations and cases to the Local Ordinary, and assists them in various ways so that they can carry out their ministry properly. In Decree n. J-511/12/001 on the “Policy on Catechists in the Archdiocese of Bamenda” published on Monday, 14 May, 2012, the then Archbishop of Bamenda and his Auxiliary spelt out the various categories of catechists. There is a job description for every category and, except for those who are voluntary, they are remunerated accordingly.

 

In the Archdiocese of Bamenda, Catechists belong to the following categories:

 

Category 1: Full-time Catechists with a Diploma in Catechetics from Nguti, the Maryvale Institute, or equivalent Institute.

 

Category 2: Full-time Catechists without a Diploma in Catechetics.

 

Category 3: Part-time Catechists: Those who serve part time in a Parish (main mission or outstation) or in an Institution while at the same time carrying out their own occupation.

 

Category 4: Volunteer Catechists: Those who offer their services free of charge as Catechists in a Main Mission/Outstation/Small Christian Community/Institution.

 

The statistics for catechists in the Archdiocese of Bamenda stands as follows:

 

Category                             Married            Single                   Total

 

Full time:                                 41                        5                           47

Part time:                                237                      71                        308

 

Voluntary Catechists:              –                           –                         57

 

Total number of catechists  278                     76                        412

 

 

Job Description of Catechists:

 

  1. Full-time Catechists in the Main Mission

 

  1. Ring the bell, prepare the sacristy and altar for Mass;
  2. Prepare Readers, Choir and Altar-Servers;
  • Lead morning, evening prayers and other devotions;
  1. Prepare Children and Adults for the Sacraments;
  2. Give doctrine in non-Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools;
  3. Do office work assigned to them by the Parish Priest such as filling registers, etc;
  • Visit families, the sick and the old at home or in the hospital at least once a month;
  • Follow up and animate Mission Groups and Small Christian Communities and RCIA Teams.
  1. Organize and attend meetings at Parish/Outstation levels.

 

  1. Full-time Catechists in the Outstation

 

  1. Ring the bell, prepare the sacristy and altar for Mass;
  2. Prepare Readers, Choir and Altar-Servers;
  • Lead morning, evening prayers and other devotions;
  1. Prepare and lead Sunday Services;
  2. Prepare Children and Adults for the Sacraments;
  3. Give doctrine in non-Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools;
  • Do office work assigned to them by the Parish Priest such as filling Registers, etc;
  • Visit families, the sick and the old at home or in the hospital at least once a month;
  1. Follow up and animate Mission Groups and Small Christian Communities and RCIA Teams.
  2. Organize and attend meetings at Parish/Outstation levels.

 

  1. Part-Time Catechists

 

  1. Ring the bell, prepare the sacristy and altar for Mass;
  2. Prepare Readers, Choir and Altar-Servers;
  • Lead morning, evening prayers and other devotions;
  1. Prepare and lead Sunday Services in the Outstation;
  2. Prepare Children and Adults for the Sacraments;
  3. Visit families, the sick and the old at home or in the hospital occasionally;
  • Follow up and animate Mission Groups and Small Christian Communities and RCIA Teams.
  • Organize and attend meetings at Parish/Outstation levels.

 

  1. Volunteer Catechists:

 

  1. Prepare and lead Sunday Services;
  2. Give doctrine for the Sacraments;
  • Render any other services agreed upon with the Parish Priest and the Christian Community.

 

In the 444 mission stations in the Archdiocese of Bamenda, it is thanks to the contributions of the catechists that most of these communities exist and are active. In the absence of the priest, the catechists keep the communities alive and report to the Parish Priest at the end of every month when they meet for their monthly meetings. Together with them, most Parish Priests draw their monthly programme of activities and visit their various mission stations. Through them, the various pastoral needs of the communities are known by the priest and he can decide on when to pay a pastoral visit to the area. The catechists have played, and continue to play a very essential role in the implementation of the Provincial Pastoral Plan, especially in the formation of the various Small Christian Communities, Gospel Sharing Groups and the various commissions of the Pastoral Plan.

 

The Archdiocese takes care of the material welfare of the Catechists in various ways. Their housing is being taken care of, especially those in category 1 and 2. As concerns their remuneration, the various parishes take their responsibility in paying them, and, in some parishes, especially in areas of Primary Evangelization, an archdiocesan subsidy is given, thanks to the subsidy we receive from Rome and to the Annual Catechists Collection made on the First Sunday of Lent in all the Parishes to assist them and contribute to the payment of their remuneration. Added to this, once a year the Christians of a particular Parish may show their appreciation of the services their Catechists are rendering to them by making a collection for them on a Sunday or Solemnity of their choice. The collection is done at Parish level, and the proceeds equally shared among all the Catechists in the Parish without distinction. The tuition fee in the Catholic Primary and/or Nursery School of the legitimate, biological children of Categories 1, 2 and 3 Catechists is paid by the Parish/Institution. On the occasion of the death of a catechist, the Archdiocese provides a coffin and a fixed amount of money to assist the family in the burial of the catechist.

 

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