Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea urges Cameroonians to embrace peace, unity, and civic responsibility as the Church reflects on its mission during the 49th Annual Bishops’ Seminar in Kumba.
By Magnus Ful
Speaking at the opening of the 49th Annual Seminar of Bishops of Cameroon in Kumba, January 6, 2026, the President of the National Episcopal Conference, Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea, invited the faithful to give thanks to God for His constant love. He recalled that the bishops had gathered in prayer and reflection to evaluate their pastoral mission, rooted in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, at a time marked by both hope and national uncertainty.
Kumba Diocese: Growth Amid Crisis
Archbishop Nkea highlighted the significance of hosting the seminar in the Diocese of Kumba, established in March 2016 and now approaching its tenth anniversary. Born at the onset of the crisis in the South-West Region, the diocese has grown amid insecurity and hardship. He congratulated the people of Kumba and their bishop, Agapitus Nfon, for the progress achieved under difficult conditions.
He praised visible signs of development, including the transformation of the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Fiango, the pastoral centre, medical facilities, the episcopal residence under construction, and humanitarian initiatives supporting vulnerable populations. These achievements, he noted, reflect an understanding of evangelization that integrates the proclamation of the Word of God with service to human dignity and solidarity.
Peace, Post-Election Challenges, and National Responsibility
Placing the bishops’ meeting within the national context, Archbishop Nkea addressed Cameroon’s post-electoral climate following the 2025 presidential election. He reiterated the Church’s firm condemnation of Post-Election Violence, lamenting the material damage and loss of life that followed the announcement of results. Violence, he stressed, can never lead to lasting peace.
He recalled the Church’s engagement through pastoral letters on the socio-economic situation, elections, and ongoing conflicts in the North-West and South-West Regions. He underlined the role played by the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace in deploying trained observers during the elections, while clarifying that the Episcopal Conference is neither a political party nor an electoral institution. Its role, he affirmed, is pastoral and prophetic, aimed at promoting the common good.
Communion, Collegiality, and the Church’s Mission
Reflecting on the theme of the seminar, Archbishop Nkea explained that Collegiality and Communion are both effective and affective. By this, he meant an authentic unity rooted in mutual love among bishops and translated into decisions that have a concrete impact on society. This unity, he said, must extend beyond bishops to the faithful and to all Cameroonians, as a foundation for lasting peace and development.
He emphasized that the bishops had gathered in Kumba to examine themselves first, assessing their own unity and witness. He expressed hope that the fruits of the seminar would be felt not only in Kumba or the conflict-affected regions, but across the entire country.
Addressing the relationship between the Church and politics, Archbishop Nkea spoke firmly. Bishops, he said, are not politicians and must not be drawn into partisan struggles. Their mission is to proclaim the Gospel. Politicians, he added, must be allowed to exercise their responsibilities without pressuring the Church to declare or withhold positions that fall outside its mandate.
Concluding, he called on all Cameroonians to assume their responsibilities in public life, insisting that responsibility, unity, moral conversion, and a shared commitment to the common good are essential for national renewal.
