AFRICA/CAMEROON - In the heart of Africa, missionaries consecrate a new Shrine dedicated to John Paul II

Yaoundé (Agenzia Fides) - "Evangelization today must be renewed in the sense that the rapid development of society brings with it new challenges similar to those experienced by some Churches in ancient times. It is therefore necessary to carry out, with often very limited means, a determined pastoral work that responds to this new type of problem," emphasized Pope John Paul II forty years ago during his Apostolic Visit to Cameroon. These words seem more prophetic today than ever when we consider the story of a group of Polish Marian missionaries, who have been working in Cameroon since 1999.

Inspired also by the words of their compatriot, in 2014 the Polish missionaries arrived in Minkama, a town in the diocese of Obala, where they first built a small chapel, the third of the Marians in Cameroon. The first was in Atok, the second in Ngoya, where the Congregation also opened a seminary.

Ten years after the construction of the first small church in Minkama, the Bishop of Obala, Sosthène Léopold Bayemi, was able to read the publication of the decree elevating the new church to the status of a sanctuary at the end of the rite of consecration of the altar of the new church dedicated to Saint John Paul II on the solemnity of Christ the King. The Marian Missionaries, who arrived in this part of Cameroon ten years ago, will manage the new structure.

The solemn consecration of the altar was attended by, among others, the Apostolic Nuncio in Cameroon, Archbishop Damase Zinga Atangana, the Bishop of the Diocese of Kribi, José Avelino Bettencourt, and Paul Lontsie-Keune, Bishop of the Diocese of Bafoussam. Also present were the Superior General of the Congregation of the Marians, Father Joseph Roesch (MIC), the Superior of the Polish Province of the Order, Father Eugeniusz Zarzeczny (MIC) and several priests representing the Polish parishes that supported the construction of the new church.

The construction work was carried out, literally, by the parishioners themselves. Many of them work in a construction company. In the future, the premises will also be used by young people. Every year, during the holiday months, about 400 young people from the two large areas into which the huge parish area is divided come together to pray, take part in catechism and help where they are needed.

In recent years, thanks to the work of the missionaries, numerous social services have been launched in the parish, from helping single mothers to supporting people with low level of education.
To date, the parish, which covers an area of 1,100 square meters, has a total of 3,000 baptized Catholics.

Last Sunday's celebration, attended by dozens of people and preceded by moments of prayer and meditation, was also an opportunity for thanksgiving, as it marked four important anniversaries: 350 years since the foundation of the Congregation of the Marian Clerics of the Immaculate Conception, 25 years of their presence in Cameroon, the 10th anniversary of the canonization of Saint John Paul II and, as already mentioned, the 10th anniversary of the foundation of the parish of Minkama. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 28/11/2024)

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