4, April 2021
Cardinal Tumi: The nation mourns a Cleric 0
The Catholic Church in Cameroon is mourning the passing away of Cardinal Tumi.
His death was announced during Saturday morning Prayers by the Archbishop of Douala, Samuel Kleda. The prelate died Friday night breaking Saturday April 3, 2021 in Douala from an illness in a clinic in the economic capital.
Report shows he had recently appeared quite weak during a traditional ceremony.
The Douala cathedral was swamped by the congregation to confirm the news. Emotions have been pouring since the announcement of the death.
“This man had the ability to get the best out of people, he was an extreme diplomat and psychological person. He proved it time and again and in the contributions he made in the crises that are currently raging in the two Anglophone regions, he proved it “Expressed Cedric Ndzi, a Christian
The cardinal played an active role in the Major National Dialogue organised in 2019 to resolve the socio-political crisis in the North West and South West regions.
“The memories that I have of the Cardinal in particular is the fact that he was very active in promoting peace in this country.” according to _Kondjoua Jaccque Daniel, a Catholic Church adherent.
“Even when you don’t listen to people, when you step back a bit on the day they leave, you understand the message they wanted to convey. His underlying message was about peace. He always wanted peace and it was very important to him that peace is restored in NOSO.
The death of the prelate has been described by many as a great loss to the nation given his constant quest for justice and truth.
“I can tell you that he is really a holy man. I have known him and talked with him a lot, we used to visit each other regularly because we know each other very well, he is a very endearing man and very much in love with peace for his country,” says Paul Ngatsi, a friend of the cardinal.
His forthright approach to pursuing long-term solutions to the conflict contributed to his abduction and subsequent release by separatist fighters in the North West region.
Source: Africa News
4, April 2021
Pope Francis sends condolences for death of Cardinal Christian Tumi 0
Pope Francis expresses his condolences for the death of Cardinal Christian Tumi, and praises the Cameroonian Archbishop’s defense of democracy and promotion of human rights.
Cardinal Christian Tumi passed away on Good Friday, 2 April, in a clinic in the Cameroonian city of Douala.
Pope Francis sent a telegram on Easter Sunday to express his condolences for the Cardinal’s death.
The Pope’s message was addressed to Archbishop Samuel Kleda, the Archbishop of Douala and Cardinal Tumi’s successor.
“On learning with sorrow of the death of our brother Cardinal Christian Tumi, I wish to express my condolences and my union in prayer with the College of Cardinals, the family and friends of the deceased, as well as with all those who mourn him,” wrote the Pope.
Unforgettable mark of service
He added that Cardinal Tumi “left an unforgettable mark on the Church and on the social and political life” of Cameroon.
Cardinal Tumi served from 1979 as the Bishop of Yagoua, then as the Archbishop of Garoua, and finally as the Archbishop of Douala until his retirement in 2009.
He was the African nation’s first Cardinal—created by Pope St. John Paul II in 1988.
Defender of democracy, servant to Popes
Pope Francis said the late Cardinal always committed himself “courageously to the defense of democracy and the promotion of human rights.”
He also praised Cardinal Tumi’s desire to promote peace and reconciliation “in his old age.”
“He was a faithful collaborator of the Popes, assuming various offices in the Roman Curia,” wrote Pope Francis. “May the Lord welcome His servant into His peace and joy!”
Source: Vatican News