After the official visit by all Cameroonian Bishops to the Vatican, where they held high level talks with the Holy Father, Pope Francis at the Saint Peter`s Basilica in Rome, concerning burning Issues affecting the Modern Church in Africa, the Bishop of Mamfe Mgr Andrew Nkea travelled to the USA to visit and unite the members of the Okoyong Past Students Association OPSA USA, during their annual convention in Metropolitan Washington DC.
The Median’s USA correspondent, Bertrand Etukeni Agbaw-Ebai caught up with the prelate and recorded this thrilling and exciting interview in which the Bishop also disclosed his vision for the Diocese of Mamfe.
The Median: You were appointed as Coadjutor Bishop of Mamfe and later confirmed as Bishop. What has changed in your functions now that you have been confirmed as Bishop of Mamfe?
Bishop Nkea: Much has changed. There is a difference between the two. As Coadjutor Bishop you do what the Bishop assigns you to do. You don`t do your own things. But as Bishop you take initiatives for the good of the Diocese. As Coadjutor Bishop, I only did what Bishop Francis asked me to do. Now as Bishop, I can take initiatives and move the diocese in the direction I want it to go, according to the will of God.
The Median: Mamfe Diocese is a baby Diocese of the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province. What are some of the projects you are running to make Mamfe Diocese catch up with the likes of Buea and Kumbo?
Bishop Nkea: One of the things I want to do is that I don`t want Mamfe Diocese to catch up with any Diocese in the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province. I just want the diocese to be authentic and grow at its space. Notwithstanding, we are doing our very best to get projects that are good for Mamfe Diocese. And our big priority which is also my Pastoral strategy now is the construction of the Pastoral Hostels which will enable us to implement the Provincial Pastoral Plan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda. In addition the Diocese has been blessed with the coming of John Paul II Major Seminary which is a major step, construction of Presbyteries which will facilitate the coming together of Diocesan priests, making sure that priests stay and work together for the pastoral growth of the Diocese.
The Median: The Media in Europe and the USA have given you a pet name “The Preaching Bishop”. Are you aware that you have a pet name? If yes! What makes your Homilies special?
Bishop Nkea: [laughs] I only read it in the media the same like many other people do. But the only reason I think was when I was teaching in the major Seminary-Bambui, I thought the seminarians that as priests they should always prepare well before going to the pulpit. I thought the seminarians to prepare and put it in writing, even if they may not look at the scripts while preaching. Preaching well and convincing is not just a matter of getting up and you start talking. Do not be too confident in yourself. Prepare and write it down. That is the secret.
The Median: We understand that there is a Health Scheme going on which was started by the Roman Catholic Bishops. Can you give us an insight on how the scheme is operating?
Bishop Nkea: Yes, they called it a Health scheme. But actually it is a solidarity scheme for health in which people put money together in order to help those who are sick. It is not like an Insurance which is renewable by payments. The important point for the scheme is that Christians put money together as a community, and whoever gets sick is helped from that scheme. Therefore it is a solidarity scheme among Christians.
The Median: We understand also that Mamfe Diocese hasn`t got a major income generating activity. How do you intend to solve this difficult situation?
Bishop Nkea: [Optimistic] I believe like every true Cameroonian that the soil never lies; it never deceives or fails anyone. Therefore I am preparing to embark on a very aggressive Agricultural project which will generate income for the Diocese. The project will not be limited only to the Diocese; it will encourage all parishes to embark on small agricultural schemes that will help generate income. In that way we can be working slowly towards self reliance. I assure all that in the near future Mamfe Diocese would have moved forward and will be able to generate income for itself.
The Median: Your Lordship making Mamfe Diocese “Something Beautiful for God” cannot be easy judging from the fact you have to rely on goodwill gestures from Home and Abroad. How is your relationship with the Diaspora?
Bishop Nkea: I think that am just one year old as Bishop and new in the Diocese. So you have to cultivate a relationship, you don`t just walk into a relationship. I am nursing and cultivating a relationship with the Diaspora. As it stands now, I can proudly say we are on the good footing. People in the Diaspora are working very hard and committed to helping their Diocese. One of the major tasks is for me to go round and sensitize the people that the Diocese belongs to them; above all that it is their ultimate end. Such sensitization is very important for, there are many people who will understand it early, others will take time to understand, but we have to be patient. So far I can say I am very proud of the Diaspora Christians of the Mamfe Diocese.
The Median: Any Last word for our readers?
Bishop Nkea: My last word for The Median Newspaper Readers is that going around the United States I see a lot of division among cultural groups, alumni groups including church groups which are a real anti-witness to the Gospel message. Let unity be the watch word, respect for one another, let the love for one another be the guiding principle for all our Christians and even non Christians who are readers for the Median Newspaper.
