Barely 40 years after the first Major Seminary in the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda was created in Bambui, the Bishops of this Church province have founded another in the soil of Mamfe.
The opening of Pope John Paul II Major Seminary in Mamfe in September was an event of such historic importance that the tongues of Cameroonian church men and women - lay and religious, have begun to wag.
The creation of this Seminary is in itself a deep and lasting recognition by the Holy See of the dire need for the spiritual and moral nourishment desperately needed by the Cameroonian people. Therefore, to the founders of this sacred institution – our bishops - we render immense thanks.
The name, John Paul II, is perhaps the brainchild of two inspirations. First, the saintliness of that extraordinary pope of our times, and second, a tribute to a pontiff-missionary who loved our country, visited it twice, and thus, encouraged and inspired our seminarians and priests.
Saint John Paul II has given explicit Church teachings on the ministerial priesthood for two decades and more. His legendary letter-writing to priests on every Holy Thursday and his special reflection book on the sacred priesthood Gift and Mystery is a telling reminder to the stakeholders of this seminary of the need to be united with the Pope and the Universal Church.
Lay people often say wherever a road passes, development follows. But experience in Africa has shown that wherever a church is built, development follows. It is therefore true that the creation of a major seminary in Mamfe, will trigger off the development of the people of the Mamfe Diocese. It is a gesture which greatly pleases the heart of the people of this area whether Christian or not.
From the zeal and energy with which the Mamfe man is known to pursue academic excellence, Saint John Paul II’s Major Seminary promises to be the fulcrum of intellectual activity not only in Cameroon, but also in Africa as a whole.
It will be of huge importance if those called upon to handle this great and noble institution can read with keen attention and penetrating insight the suggestions already made on the running of a seminary by the great African scholar and ex seminarian, Prof. Bernard Nsokika Fonlon in his Open Letter to the Bishops of Buea and Bamenda.
