Rev. Fr. Derek Che Choh has been installed as Parish Priest of St. John the Baptist Parish, Ntaghem, in Cameroon’s Bamenda Archdiocese. Presided over by Archbishop Andrew Nkea, the Mass highlighted pastoral continuity and the Church’s mission of hope
By Fr. Beltus Asanji, Magnus Ful
NTAGHEM, Cameroon, July 12, 2026. Archbishop Andrew Nkea, Metropolitan Archbishop of Bamenda, has installed Rev. Fr. Derek Che Choh as the new Parish Priest of St. John the Baptist Parish, Ntaghem
The Pontifical Mass brought together Bishop John Berinyuy and Bishop Nestor-Désiré Nongo-Aziagbia of Bossangoa in the Central African Republic. Priests, deacons, seminarians and parishioners also joined the celebration
The installation comes at an important moment for the Catholic Church in Cameroon. In June 2026, Pope Leo XIV appointed Archbishop Nkea as a member of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Section for First Evangelization and the New Particular Churches. The appointment places him within the section responsible for supporting the Church’s first evangelization and the development of new particular Churches
For this reason, the celebration in Ntaghem carried significance beyond the local parish. It reflected the connection between the life of a parish in northwestern Cameroon and the wider mission of the Catholic Church
Archbishop Nkea calls Fr. Derek Che Choh to serve with compassion
In his homily, Archbishop Nkea placed the ministry of Fr. Derek within the Gospel message of the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Addressing the newly installed Parish Priest, the Archbishop urged him to love and care for the people entrusted to his pastoral responsibility
“Love your Christians. Let none of them be lost,” he said
In addition, Archbishop Nkea reminded Fr. Derek that his ministry includes three essential responsibilities: proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating the sacraments and governing the parish in accordance with the Code of Canon Law and the pastoral policies of the Archdiocese of Bamenda
However, the Archbishop stressed that pastoral leadership cannot be reduced to administration. A parish priest must also remain close to the people he serves
Consequently, he called on Fr. Derek to show compassion and to accompany the faithful in the realities of their daily lives
For Archbishop Nkea, the new pastor’s mission is therefore both spiritual and pastoral. He must proclaim Christ, nourish the faithful through the sacraments and walk with the community entrusted to his care
A parish installation rooted in Church tradition
The installation followed the established tradition of the Catholic Church
After the Profession of Faith and the Oath of Fidelity, officials publicly read the decree of appointment. Fr. Derek then received the keys of the parish and the Book of the Gospels
These gestures symbolised the pastoral responsibility entrusted to the new Parish Priest. At the same time, they reminded the community that the mission of the Church continues beyond individual pastors
One priest succeeds another. However, the responsibility to proclaim the Gospel remains
Seminarians honour a parish that supports vocations
The presence of major seminarians of the Archdiocese of Bamenda added another significant dimension to the celebration
The seminarians did not come only to serve at the altar. They also came to thank the Christian community of Ntaghem for its prayers, encouragement and material support for priestly formation
Their presence highlighted the important relationship between parishes and vocations
Indeed, future priests are formed not only in seminaries. They are also nurtured by families and parish communities that pray for vocations and encourage young men to respond generously to God’s call
As a result, the relationship between a parish and its seminarians continues even after a vocation leaves the community for formation
A new chapter for St. John the Baptist Parish
St. John the Baptist Parish forms part of the wider pastoral mission of the Archdiocese of Bamenda, a metropolitan Church serving communities across Cameroon’s Northwest Region
That mission has continued amid serious social and security challenges. In this context, the daily life of a parish remains important. Through worship, formation, pastoral care and community life, the Church continues to accompany people in their search for faith, peace and hope
Bamenda’s pastoral and peace mission also gained international attention during Pope Leo XIV’s April 2026 visit. The Holy Father called for peace and rejected the manipulation of religion and military power, highlighting the importance of the Church’s witness in a region marked by conflict and suffering
As the installation ceremony ended, the solemnity of the liturgy gave way to the warmth of a family celebration. Parishioners gathered to welcome their new pastor, offer prayers and mark the beginning of a new pastoral season
As Fr. Derek Che Choh begins his ministry, St. John the Baptist Parish now enters a new pastoral season. His mandate is clear: proclaim Christ, celebrate the sacraments, serve the community faithfully and lead with compassion. In Ntaghem, the universal mission of the Church will once again take shape through the daily life of one local community
FAQs
Fr. Derek Che Choh is a Catholic priest who was installed as Parish Priest of St. John the Baptist Parish, Ntaghem, in the Archdiocese of Bamenda
Archbishop Andrew Nkea, Metropolitan Archbishop of Bamenda, presided over the Pontifical Mass during which Fr. Derek Che Choh was installed
St. John the Baptist Parish is located in Ntaghem, a quater in Bamenda III Sub Division within the Archdiocese of Bamenda, in Cameroon’s Northwest Region
