The remains of the Bishop of Kribi arrived at Douala International Airport yesterday afternoon.
Priests and parishioners could not restrain their tears. Politicians, the media, government officials were all present to partake in the heavy task of accompanying Bishop Joseph Befe Ateba to his final resting place at St Joseph's Cathedral in Kribi, in his diocese, where he will be buried tomorrow, June 17.
There were so many people last Sunday at the Douala International Airport to welcome the body. With some standing very close to the Ethiopian Airlines plane that landed at about 14:15 on the tarmac, from Pretoria in South Africa.
They all took part in the religious service that lasted for 15 minutes led by the Archbishop of Douala, Bishop Samuel Kleda, whose first words were filled with emotions: "Words fail us Lord ..." He said of the deceased, "which reflects his life, is to have renounced everything." Sounding comforting: "attitude that we must have before death is an attitude that reflects our faith in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, who conquered death."
Cardinal Christian Tumi said: "Death is the penultimate act of all human beings, the latter being the resurrection."
Others also shared a word before leaving. Jules Doret Ndongo, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization highlighted in his triple capacity as Minister, elite of Kribi and a Christian, that he could not miss this farewell being aware of the work done by the late Bishop of Kribi in his diocese.
Also present were the Minister of Labour, Gregoire Owona, parents of the deceased, Mgrs emeritus bishops Jerome Owono Mimboe and Victor Tonye Bakot.
Also Monsignor John Bosco Ntep, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Kribi.
Together, they accompanied the remains to Kribi where Mass and a vigil was held before the Eucharistic celebration at St Joseph's Cathedral until dawn Tuesday when Bishop Joseph Befe Ateba will receive a final goodbye.
