Cardinal Tumi fetes Golden Jubilee in God’s vineyard

Christian Cardinal Wiyghan Tumi has celebrated his Golden Jubilee as a labourer in God’s vineyard. The Jubilee celebrations took place recently, at the Cathedral Church in Kumbo, Bui Division, Northwest Region and was attended by administrative, political, traditional and religious leaders.

In his homily during the celebration, the Bishop of Kumbo, Mgr. George Nkuo, said Cardinal Tumi has put in 50 years of dedicated Priestly Ministry. He said the life of the Prelate epitomizes Christ, the head of the Church.

“Today we have something wonderful to celebrate. Today we celebrate the priesthood of Jesus Christ and it is 50 years of dedicated Priestly Ministry of his Eminence Christian Cardinal Tumi, a Priest whose qualities are exceptional,” Mgr. Nkuo said.

According to the Bishop of Kumbo, the Jubilee celebration is to give thanks to God for his abundant blessings on the Cardinal. He said the priesthood is not an honour conferred on someone for his own glorification, but for God’s glory.

“The priesthood is not a life time choice as one would choose a career, rather it is a calling which is mediated to the community, matured by the community and for the community,” the Bishop said. He said the occasion is an opportunity for the Priests and religious to review and relive their priestly lives predicated on that of Tumi and Christ.

“Christians should be the light of the world and salt of the earth.” He described Tumi as a man of intellect, culture and spirituality, a man who glued to the first positions in his activities, a scholar who wears his scholarship lightly and a humble son of Kikaikelaki, his village of origin.

Mgr. Nkuo urged Cameroonians and humanity to do all they could in their respective assignments. Kumbo Diocesan Laity Council Chair, John Kuhvinyo, described Tumi as a great servant of God .He said Kumbo Diocese is blessed to have “this exceptional achievement.” He lauded Tumi for his service to mankind and the Universal Church before calling on priests to emulate Tumi’s positive examples.

Taking the pulpit, Cardinal Tumi said he became a Priest in Cameroon by accident. He said his priestly life has been characterised by happiness regardless of the circumstances and appreciated the gift of FCFA one million from the Diocesan Laity Council, but said the money would be used to help the underprivileged. He said at 86, he has only taken three bottles of beer and advised young people to avoid alcohol and cigarettes.

“So young people if you want to live up to 86, then you should not drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes,” the Cardinal advised. He urged the Priests to gain their sanctification by what they do. He promised to pray for all those who attended his Golden Jubilee.

According to Northwest Governor, Adolf Lele L’Afrique, the Cardinal is noted for numerous things, especially in the domain of fighting against human rights abuse especially in the Northern Region where he served for a long time. Tumi recieved gifts from the Presbyterian Church Christians and Moslem faithful.