By Hope Nda
The 36 Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church in Cameroon have convened in Kumba, Southwest Region, for their 49th annual seminar, where they will deliberate on key religious, social, and political issues affecting Christians.
The event, themed “Communion and Collegiality,” is running from January 3 to January 10, 2026.
The host, His Lordship Agapitus Nfon, Bishop of Kumba—the youngest Diocese in Cameroon—delivered the opening homily on Sunday, January 4, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Fiango.
He urged Christians to uphold love and serve as beacons of light in the lives of their families, friends, and all they encounter.
“The best gift we can offer to Christ is our faith, our hope and our love for God and love for our brothers and sisters,” he said. “Saint John tells us we are liars if we say we love God and we believe God when we do not love our brothers and sisters. God is love and so the greatest gift we can give him and any other person is love.”
The prelate also encouraged Christians to lead their lives “as stars,” guiding others to Christ, and asked them to pray that God grants the Bishops humility, courage, and faith to lead His people.
The opening session was attended by several administrative officials, including Southwest Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai, Southwest Regional Assembly President Zacheus Bakoma Elango, and the Senior Divisional Officer of Meme, Chamberlain Nto’ou Ndong, among others.
The conference will conclude next Saturday with a statement outlining the Bishops’ aspirations for the Church and the nation for this year.
The gathering has brought excitement to Christians in Kumba, who may not host the Bishops again for another 26 years.
The annual seminar of the Bishops of Cameroon provides Bishops an opportunity not only to brainstorm on challenges facing the Church but also to offer spiritual guidance on secular issues in the country.
Buea, the country’s oldest Diocese, hosted the 48th seminar last January. During that session, the Bishops issued a strongly worded statement condemning corruption, embezzlement, poverty, tribalism, and underdevelopment in Cameroon. They also called for renewed government dialogue to end the protracted armed conflict in the English-speaking regions—though this appeal has seemingly gone unheeded.
They also urged citizens to participate actively in the October 2025 presidential election, in which President Paul Biya secured an eighth term.
Over the coming week, the Bishops are expected to discuss emerging pastoral challenges, explore new evangelization strategies, and develop renewed approaches to strengthening faith in Cameroon, according to reports from the Buea Diocese’s Divine Mercy Radio and Television.