Bamenda - Cameroon is preparing to welcome Leo XIV with great anticipation. The Catholic Church, together with civil and military authorities, has been working for days to organise every detail of the Pontiff’s visit. In recent days, a press conference was held in Bamenda to take stock of the state of preparations.
Silere non possum was also present at the press conference, with the opportunity to meet the bishops in attendance and put a number of questions to them. Among them was His Excellency Msgr John Berinyuy Tatah, Auxiliary Bishop of Bamenda, ordained only a few days ago, with whom we were able to speak in order to gather his first impressions ahead of the papal visit.
The prelate spoke of the Pope’s visit with a sense of joy and confident expectation. In an interview with Silere non possum following the press conference, the newly appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Bamenda stated: “We are waiting for the Holy Father with trembling joy. He is coming as a messenger of peace, as a messenger of reconciliation, as a messenger of justice, and those are the only weapons that can heal our wounds.”
In a region marked by years of social and political violence, the bishop strongly emphasised the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation as essential conditions for a different future. “There can be no peace without reconciliation, there can be no peace without forgiveness. I am deeply mindful of the challenges and hopes of our people, especially in this time when our Region longs for peace, healing, and reconciliation,” he said. “As a bishop,” he added, “I understand my mission as walking closely with the faithful: listening attentively, strengthening faith, promoting dialogue, justice, and unity, and bringing the light of the Gospel into the concrete realities of daily life.” Msgr Berinyuy Tatah continued: “I desire to be a shepherd close to the people - one who encourages hope, fosters communion, and works collaboratively with all people of goodwill for the good of our society.”
He also addressed the faithful with a strong appeal to nurture and rebuild a fraternal spirit, warning of the serious consequences of failing to restore relationships: “If we are not able to reconcile with each other, we’ll all kill ourselves and perish. We should be open, and we should be ready to reconcile with each other.” The new Auxiliary Bishop of Bamenda, who previously spent two weeks in captivity and willingly offered himself to kidnappers in exchange for his fellow priests, explained that his episcopal ministry will be centred on proclaiming God’s love and living in obedience to His will.
Emmanuel Patrick Tan
Silere non possum