Religion

25, June 2026

“Do not be afraid”: Apostolic Nuncio to Diocese of Edea ⁰

The representative of the Holy Father in Cameroon has urged the people of God in the Catholic Diocese of Edéa not to be afraid as the local Church enters a period of leadership transition following the retirement of its Bishop.

In his homily during the Welcome Mass of the Apostolic Administrator of Edéa Diocese appointed on June 4, following the retirement of Bishop Jean-Bosco Ntep, Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt urged the faithful to embrace unity, prayer, and fidelity.

“Do not be afraid, because our Heavenly Father knows us intimately and protects us,” the Nuncio said during the June 21 Eucharistic celebration that was held at Sacred Heart Cathedral of Edéa Diocese.

He acknowledged that moments of transition in the life of the Church can bring concern, but insisted that Christian hope is anchored in God’s providence rather than human circumstances.

The Vatican diplomat reminded the faithful that Christ repeatedly encourages believers not to succumb to fear.

At the same time, he distinguished between fear rooted in anxiety and what he described as “holy fear,” a reverent awareness of God that leads to deeper faith and vigilance.

“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Evil has no power over us unless we give it to it,” he said.

Archbishop Bettencourt urged the faithful to cultivate trust in God as the strongest defense against fear, temptation, and despair, especially in a world marked by instability and moral challenges.

“The best remedy is a deep trust in God,” he said.

The Apostolic Nuncio in Cameroon, since his appointment in August 2023, further emphasized that Christian life is built on two inseparable dimensions: discipleship and mission, noting that all baptized believers are called to be both followers of Christ and witnesses to the Gospel.

“As baptized, you and I are called to be both disciples and apostles. Eternal life begins here and now,” he said.

The Apostolic Nuncio cautioned against attempts to privatize the faith, insisting that the Gospel must be proclaimed openly and courageously.

“The world tries to convince us that proclaiming the Gospel is not for everyone. But Jesus tells us: What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light,” he said.

The member of the Clergy of Canada’s Ottawa-Cornwall Catholic Archdiocese warned that Christians may face misunderstanding or suffering for living and proclaiming their faith, but encouraged them not to be discouraged.

“If we preach the Gospel, we will suffer, yes, like those who preceded us. But Jesus says: do not be afraid,” he said.

Turning specifically to the Diocese of Edea, the Apostolic Nuncio called for unity among the faithful as they welcome Mons. Paul Nyaga.

“We must be one Church, one diocese, one body of believers,” he said.

Archbishop Bettencourt also paid tribute to Bishop Ntep, who led the Diocese of Edéa for over 20 years, describing his retirement as a normal and prayerful transition in the life of the Church.

“This does not mean that he loves you less. On the contrary, it means he loves you more, because he understood it was time for someone else to take over,” the Nuncio said.

Commending Mons. Nyaga’s experience and service, he called on the faithful to support him with prayer and openness during this period of transition.

“We invite you all to pray with the Holy Father for your new Bishop,” he said.

The Nuncio invited the people of God in the Diocese to deepen their listening to the Word of God and to remain anchored in the Eucharist as the foundation of their unity and mission.

“We begin to listen to the Word of God—not the word of one another, but the Word of God,” he said.

Mons. Nyaga is expected to govern the Diocese of Edéa until a Local Ordinary is appointed.

Source: aciAfrica

11, June 2026

The Holy Father cast flowers in sea in tribute to drowned migrants ⁰

Pope Leo XIV on Thursday condemned “indifference” towards migrants during a visit to Spain’s Canary Islands that symbolised the perils of deadly irregular routes to Europe.

The pontiff cast a bouquet of flowers into the sea in tribute to the thousands who have died trying to reach the Atlantic archipelago, on day six of a trip to Spain that has repeatedly highlighted the plight of migrants.

Leo visited the port of Arguineguin on Gran Canaria island, where he met migrants and those who help them before blessing a cross made from the wood of migrant boats.

“Even today, monsters lurk in these seas: mafias that profit from despair, traffickers who enslave women and children, and those whose indifference allows the poor to be swallowed up by exploitation or forgetfulness,” Leo told a ceremony at the port.

Nearly 1,200 people died or went missing on the route from Africa to the Canary Islands last year, according to the International Organization for Migration, making it one of the world’s deadliest migration routes.

Europe, where governments have toughened their policies in recent years under pressure from the far right, “cannot claim to uphold human dignity while growing accustomed to the Mediterranean and the Atlantic becoming unmarked graves”, added Leo.

Source: France 24

8, June 2026

The Holy Father in Spain offers road map to future of hope ⁰

Pope Leo XIV on his second day in Spain invoked the country’s rich faith traditions and expressions of popular piety as a path, especially for young people, out of the polarized ideological divisions that grip much of global society.

He spoke of the path forward in remarks to those engaged in culture, art, the economy and sports, highlights also the need to form networks built on respect, dialogue, collaboration and selflessness.

Also on Sunday, 1.2 million people were present for his Mass and procession in Madrid’s Plaza de Cibeles, where the pope said Spain’s present and future task is “to ensure that the religiosity which has shaped and defined this country for centuries is not a museum of the past to be visited, but a school of faith from which to draw even today.”

It must be a school, he said, “that teaches us to kneel before God and before our neighbor, because no one can kneel before the Lord and despise their brother.”

He stressed the need to go beyond selfishness and to “be present in the realities and challenges of society, not shying away, but personally committing ourselves to the building of the common good.”

Pope Leo is currently on a seven-day tour of Spain, making stops in Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands.

Sunday’s Mass marked the Solemnity of Corpus Christi Mass and was followed by Eucharistic procession, which Leo led, walking over the traditional flower carpets intricately designed and delicately prepared for the occasion.

His visit comes as Spain, previously one of the world’s greatest global evangelizers and home to some of the most famed mystic saints in the world, is experiencing a rapid growth in secularism and as Europe more broadly grapples with geopolitical instability.

Source: Crux

8, June 2026

Archbishop Esua says ‘there can be no peace without justice’ ⁰

Archbishop Emeritus Cornelius Fontem Esua of Cameroon is a living witness to the Church’s evolution in Africa. He lived through the transition from a Church led by white missionaries to one governed by local clergy.

“The transition was gradual,” he told Crux Now.

“I was the first priest in my tribe and the 17th priest in the English-speaking part of Cameroon. At that time, most priests were missionaries… Soon after, bishops were appointed from among Africans, marking a gradual change from a missionary church to a church that is missionary itself. We were evangelized to evangelize others.”

In a wide-ranging interview on the sidelines of the 51st Plenary Assembly of the Cameroon Bishops’ Conference, held in Yaoundé from May 30 to June 5, 2026, Esua said he has also lived through Cameroon’s checkered history and has a clear understanding of why the Central African country is now at war with itself.

He was the archbishop of Bamenda when the crisis broke out in 2016, and was the victim of kidnapping in 2019.

“The crisis that broke out in 2016 was the climax of a problem that started about 50 years earlier,” he told Cux Now, and then went down memory lane to explain the root causes of the conflict.

He noted that Cameroonians, as a people, now need to work to actualize the call made by Pope Leo XIV during his recent visit to Cameroon.

“Peace is not decreed; it is welcomed and lived. It is not a matter of words or signatures on a treaty, but of a commitment that is incarnated in a style of life, in a personal and institutional way of being… we need a disarmed peace,” Pope Leo had said during his Cameroon visit.

“The pope has come and gone. As a pastor and leader, he gave us a recipe for justice and reconciliation. Now it is our challenge to listen, understand, and carry out his agenda,” Esua told Crux Now.

Following are excerpts of that conversation…

Crux Now: I just want to start by asking you about your upbringing, your childhood. Did you ever dream that you would become a priest?

Esua: I don’t think I dreamt of becoming a priest, but I was attracted to it when I was a child. I used to go to church and watch what the priest was doing, how he celebrated Mass. I would go back home and imitate, trying to celebrate my own Mass with my friends.

I had always thought that to become a priest, you had to be a white man because, from childhood, I only saw white priests. But then I saw a major seminarian from my parish who had gone to seminary- first in Sasse College and then to Nigeria. When he came back, he wore a white suit and assisted the priest. I came back home and said, “So a black man can also be a priest.”

From that day, I thought I should also become one.

So that was the trigger?

Yes, that was the trigger. After finishing primary school, I told my parents I wanted to become a priest.

Were they receptive to the idea?

Some doubted it, some were okay with it, saying I could do what I wanted. Finally, when I finished Standard Six in 1959, I registered and passed the entrance to Sasse College. I told the priest interviewing me that I wanted to become a priest, and luckily, he was from Sasse. He was interviewing children from Sasse and said I could go to the minor seminary attached to Sasse, which is Holy Family Minor Seminary. It’s up the hill, as we call it. You live there, eat, play, and take extra moral classes but go to Sasse College for lectures and exams.

After I finished, I applied to the bishop to continue my journey to priesthood, and he accepted. So, the journey continued from there.

Just tell us a bit about the journey, the seminary, what were the challenges like?

In Sasse, we were like any other students. We had a separate dormitory where we stayed and played together. When we got to the major seminary, we started subjects relevant to passing our GCE. My teachers at the time were mostly Peace Corps members, as the Peace Corps had just been introduced. I was very good in sciences, math, and physics, but since I wanted to become a priest, some tried to convince me otherwise, especially the American teachers offering scholarships. Many of my friends accepted those scholarships and went to America. I went to Enugu, Nigeria instead, where I did three years of philosophy.

After finishing philosophy, the bishop sent some of us to Rome to continue theology studies. I did my theology in Rome for four years, then came back home and was ordained a priest in December 1971. I had finished in Rome in June but wanted to be ordained at home, so I returned to my village in Mbetta and became the first priest of Mbetta parish.

You were studying in Rome when Pope Paul VI visited Uganda…

Yes, in 1969. We were college students in Rome, and the visit had a big impact on us African seminarians. During a Mass of thanksgiving at St. Peter’s Basilica, we sang African hymns, played drums, and the next day, newspapers called it “the jungle in the Vatican.”

It was the first time African music and drums were heard in the Basilica, and some couldn’t understand it. That moment was impressive for us. Pope Paul VI told us to be missionaries of ourselves, to ourselves. Since then, the church has become more missionary with more vocations from Africa.

So how was the transition from white to black missionaries in Africa?

The transition was gradual. I was the first priest in my tribe and the 17th priest in the English-speaking part of Cameroon. At that time, most priests were missionaries. The pope’s call meant more vocations and training to take on responsibilities.

Soon after, bishops were appointed from among Africans, marking a gradual change from a missionary church to a church that is missionary itself. We were evangelized to evangelize others.

Let’s fast forward to 2016. You were still Archbishop of Bamenda when the crisis broke out. How can you explain what happened?

The crisis that broke out in 2016 was the climax of a problem that started about 50 years earlier. I went to Sasse in 1960, the year French-speaking Cameroon gained independence. In October that year, there was debate on whether the English-speaking part would join Nigeria or Cameroon. At the time, Southern Cameroon had quasi-independence — it was not under Nigeria and was self-governing.

Talks to join French-speaking Cameroon began. I remember political parties like KNDP and KNC. Different opinions existed, but the plebiscite only presented two options, omitting the option for full independence, which many desired.

That lack of choice was unjust and led to long-term grievances. The French part of Cameroon and the English-speaking part of Cameroon however agreed on a Federal Constitution, which was abrogated through a referendum in 1972.

Do you think the dissolution of the federal system led to today’s crisis?

Absolutely. The federal system was not respected. The French-speaking side and their political leaders disregarded it for no valid reason except by claiming it was costly to run, but good things are often expensive. The problem started with denying people the right to choose their future. The situation has been like a festering wound that eventually exploded.

You were kidnapped in 2019. Can you recall what happened? What did you tell your captors?

Yes, I was kidnapped by boys [a reference to separatist fighters] blocking roads. I told them clearly that their way was wrong. They were fighting for freedom and against abuse, but why make the same people they are fighting to free suffer? I continue to believe that without truth and justice, our problems cannot be solved.

In 2019, there was a major national dialogue, yet the crisis persists. Why do you think it failed?

I felt it was more of a monologue than a dialogue. Most participants were chosen by the government, and many were part of the status quo. What could they decide differently?

The dialogue was supposed to address the highest aspirations of Anglophones, including deciding on a form of government that respects both traditions. Yet, the form of government was excluded from the agenda, and no one answered when I questioned this. Many important issues were left off the table, which is why suffering continues. The organizers need to be realistic and put the right questions on the agenda.

Pope Leo XIV during his recent visit to Cameroon spoke about peace and justice. Do you think his words have had any impact?

I hesitated about the pope’s visit, fearing it might seem like condoning the situation. But I was happy he came and spoke the truth. The Church believes there can be no peace without truth and justice. Jesus prays for peace—not the peace the world gives, but the peace God gives, based on truth, justice, respect for human rights, and dignity. The pope insisted on this, emphasizing that justice and peace must embrace to achieve genuine peace. Otherwise, it’s just a silent armistice, not real peace.

From your perspective now, do you think the people who should act on the pope’s words are doing so? Are they moving the needle?

That is the question we all ask. The pope has come and gone. As a pastor and leader, he gave us a recipe for justice and reconciliation. Now it is our challenge to listen, understand, and carry out his agenda.

Culled from Crux

5, June 2026

Edéa: Pope Leo accepts retirement of Bishop Jean-Bosco Ntep ⁰

Pope Leo XIV has accepted the retirement of Bishop Jean-Bosco Ntep from the pastoral care of Cameroon’s Catholic Diocese of Edéa and appointed Mons. Paul Nyaga Nwaha, Secretary General of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC), as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese.

The changes were made public by the Holy See Press Office on Thursday, June 4 and announced by the President of NECC, Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea, during the Catholic Bishops’ 51st Plenary Assembly.

Born on 3 April 1951 in Hikoamaen, Cameroon, Bishop Ntep was ordained a Priest on 25 March 1979.

In 22 March 1993, St. John Paul II appointed him the first Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Eséka, which had been erected the same day. He was Consecrated Bishop in July 1993.

After 11 years and three months leading Eséka Diocese, Bishop Ntep was appointed Bishop of Edéa on 15 October 2004 and installed on 4 December 2004.

Mons. Nyaga, who will govern the Diocese Edéa until a Local Ordinary is appointed was born in 1959 and ordained a priest for Cameroon’s Catholic Archdiocese of Douala in 1987.

He studied theology at the Pontifical Urbanian College in Rome and later attended the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, earning doctorates in both Canon and Civil Law and in Ecclesiology.

Following his Priestly Ordination, he served as Vice-Rector of Saint Paul Minor Seminary in Nylon before undertaking assignments in several Apostolic Nunciatures.

Upon returning to Douala, he served as Vicar General of the Archdiocese, Rector of St. Jerome Catholic University of Douala, and President of the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of the Ecclesiastical Province of Douala.

Before his appointment as NECC Secretary General, Mons. Nyaga was Parish Priest of Saint Monica of Makèpè.

He also served as Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes of Japoma, St. Paul of Nylon, and Saint Louis of Bonabéri. In addition, he taught at the Major Theological Seminary of Douala and served as Episcopal Vicar for the Wouri 8 pastoral zone.

On 2 May 1994, he was named Chaplain of His Holiness (Cappellanus Sanctitatis Suae), a papal honorific that confers the title “Monsignor.”

The Diocese of Edéa covers 10,500 square kilometers and, according to 2023 statistics, has 185,368 Catholics, representing 60.8 percent of the total population.

Part of the ecclesiastical province of the Archdiocese of Douala, the Diocese was erected on 22 March 1993.

Source: aci Africa

4, June 2026

National Episcopal Conference: Bishops renew call for peace ⁰

The President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC), Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea, has renewed the Catholic Church’s call for peace and dialogue, urging both Church leaders and political authorities to address the root causes of conflict as the country continues to face security, political, and socio-economic challenges.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the 51st Plenary Assembly of NECC members, Archbishop Nkea emphasized that peace must remain a national priority, particularly in Cameroon’s conflict-affected North-West, South-West, and Far North regions.

“Peace is a fundamental human right, indispensable for the development of peoples, social cohesion, economic progress, and respect for human dignity,” Archbishop Nkea said on Tuesday, June 2.

The Local Ordinary of Cameroon’s Bamenda Archdiocese reflected on the April 15-18 Apostolic Journey of Pope Leo XIV to Cameroon, describing it as a historic moment for the local Church and a source of renewed hope for the nation.

“At a time when our Church and our country needed it most, he accepted, against all odds, even risking his own life, to come and comfort us and renew in us the hope that does not disappoint,” the NECC President said.

He also highlighted the Holy Father’s appeal for reconciliation and an end to violence, recalling that Pope Leo XIV spoke of the suffering caused by the conflicts affecting parts of Cameroon, including the loss of lives, the displacement of families, disruptions to education, and growing uncertainty among young people.

The Cameroonian Archbishop said the Church remains committed to promoting peace, dialogue, and hope while encouraging greater investment in the country’s youth as an essential part of building a stable future.

Quoting Pope Leo XIV, Archbishop Nkea noted that the tensions and violence affecting parts of Cameroon have caused profound suffering, including loss of life, displacement of families, disruption of education, and uncertainty among young people.

“Enough of war, with all the pain it causes through death, destruction, and exile,” the Catholic Archbishop said, echoing the Pope’s call.

He emphasized that peace cannot be achieved solely through political declarations but requires a sincere commitment to dialogue, conversion, justice, and national reconciliation.

“We will never achieve lasting peace without a firm decision to choose the path that leads to it, with all its demands of conversion, love for country, change of mentality, and dialogue,” he said.

As Cameroon prepares for future municipal elections, Archbishop Nkea called for prayers and vigilance, noting that elections in the country are often accompanied by tensions and violence.

“The appeasement that we contributed to create after the presidential election was not a sign of weakness, but a necessity for our society,” he said.

A significant portion of the Archbishop’s address focused on the role of young people in building a peaceful and prosperous future.

Drawing from Pope Leo XIV’s remarks during his visit, Archbishop Nkea emphasized that youth remain the nation’s greatest hope.

“Young people represent the hope of the country and of the Church. Their energy and creativity are priceless treasures,” he said.

He warned that unemployment, social exclusion, and lack of opportunities continue to expose many young people to violence, migration, drug abuse, prostitution, and despair.

“Investing in education, training, and entrepreneurship for young people is therefore a strategic choice for peace,” Archbishop Nkea said.

The NECC president also encouraged the Church in Cameroon to reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s recent encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, particularly its teaching on the ethical challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies.

“In times marked by the challenges posed by a certain use of digital technology and artificial intelligence, we must discern how to receive the Holy Father’s encyclical in our context,” he said.

Archbishop Nkea also used the occasion to celebrate the 60th anniversary of NECC, describing the milestone as a testament to six decades of evangelization, ecclesial maturity, and faithful service to the people of God.

The 51st Ordinary Plenary Assembly of the NECC, running from May 31 to June 5, is bringing together Catholic Bishops from across Cameroon to review pastoral priorities, discuss national concerns, evaluate Church projects, and strengthen their collective mission of evangelization.

Throughout the gathering, Archbishop Nkea said, the Bishops are to continue praying for peace in Cameroon and around the world while seeking ways to respond to the challenges facing the Church and society.

“We freely chose to come together and persevere in our journey toward eternity. May the Holy Spirit remain the principal protagonist of our communion and collegiality, so that our work may be for the glory of God and the salvation of all,” he said.

Source: aci Africa

28, May 2026

Celebrating the 3-Day Catholic Women Association Cameroon Convention in UK ⁰

This weekend’s 3-day Catholic Women Association (CWA) Cameroon-Europe Convention in Great Britain stands as a phenomenal testimony to the enduring strength of faith, culture and community among Cameroonian Catholics in Europe.

Under very inspiring themes, “Catholic women leading families to holiness” and “Building Strong Families Through the Example of Mary Our Mother,” the CWA Cameroon-Europe come together promises to be not only a spiritual gathering but also a profound moment of reflection, renewal and collective purpose.

At a time when Cameroonian families across Europe and even beyond are facing increasing social, moral and economic problems, the role of the members of the Catholic Women Association as custodians of faith and pillars of the Cameroonian family has never been more crucial.

The Catholic Women Association of Cameroon has consistently demonstrated unwavering commitment to nurturing Cameroonian homes grounded in Christian values, promoting unity within Cameroonian communities and supporting the spiritual growth of future generations particularly those born in the Western world. We of the Cameroon Concord News Group believe and fervently that the UK meeting therefore comes as a timely and necessary initiative.

The choice of Our Lady of Good Counsel as a guiding inspiration is deeply significant. Mary, the Mother of Christ, remains the perfect model of humility, wisdom, obedience and unwavering trust in God. In a nation like Cameroon often characterized by uncertainty and division, turning together to Our Lady of Good Counsel symbolizes a collective desire for divine guidance, peace and wisdom in addressing the challenges facing Cameroonian families and Cameroonian communities today.

Equally commendable is the convention’s emphasis on building strong Cameroonian families through the example of Mary Our Mother. The family remains the foundation of every society and strong families are built on love, sacrifice, prayer, mutual respect and moral integrity. By drawing inspiration from Mary’s virtues, the Cameroonian Catholic women are reaffirming their commitment to raising children in faith, strengthening marital bonds and preserving values that sustain healthy and peaceful homes.

Beyond its spiritual dimension, this convention also reflects the beauty of cultural solidarity among Cameroonians living in continental Europe. Gatherings such as this provide an opportunity to strengthen ties among members, celebrate shared traditions, encourage younger generations and reinforce a sense of belonging within the Cameroonian diaspora community. It is through such unity that Cameroonian communities thrive and continue to contribute positively both to their host nations and to their homeland.

The organizers and members of the Catholic Women Association Cameroon-Europe deserve sincere praise for their dedication, vision and tireless efforts in bringing this important event to life. Their work reflects the enduring mission of the Holy Roman Catholic Church to evangelize, uplift families and foster Christian fellowship.

As the convention unfolds over the three days, one hopes that participants will leave spiritually enriched, morally inspired and more deeply committed to their roles as mothers, wives, leaders and ambassadors of Christ in society. May the 3-Day Catholic Women Association Cameroon-Europe Convention in UK strengthen bonds of sisterhood, renew faith and inspire practical actions that will continue to transform families and Cameroonian communities long after the convention concludes.

Indeed, this come together is more than an event. It is a powerful indication that faith, unity and family values remain central to the life and future of the Christian community. In honoring Mary Our Mother and seeking the counsel of Our Lady of Good Counsel, the Catholic Women Association Cameroon-Europe is lighting a path of hope, resilience and spiritual renewal for generations to come.

To this I put my name

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

28, May 2026

Vatican declares Cameroonian religious brother Jean-Thierry Ebogo “Venerable” ⁰

The Catholic Church has taken a new step in recognizing the spiritual legacy of Brother Jean-Thierry Ebogo after the Vatican officially declared the young Cameroonian religious figure “Venerable.”

In a letter dated May 25, 2026, the Apostolic Nunciature in Cameroon informed President Paul Biya that Pope Leo XIV had granted the title to the member of the Discalced Carmelite order, who until now had held the status of “Servant of God.” The decision marks an important stage in the Catholic canonization process.

Within the Church, the title “Venerable” is granted to individuals whose “heroic virtues” have been formally recognized by the Vatican. It comes before possible beatification and eventual canonization. Born in Cameroon on February 4, 1982, Jean-Thierry Ebogo joined the Sainte-Thérèse Carmel of Nkoabang, on the outskirts of Yaoundé.

He became known for his strong involvement with youth groups, prayer communities, and Catholic movements. Church officials and faithful often described him as deeply committed to spiritual and community life. His story, however, took on greater significance after he developed bone cancer.

In an attempt to save his life, doctors amputated one of his legs. According to testimonies relayed by the Apostolic Nunciature, the young religious brother transformed his suffering into a spiritual offering and lived through illness with profound Christian faith.

He was later transferred to Italy for medical treatment and died on January 5, 2006, in Legnano, near Milan, at just 23 years old. Over time, his journey — marked by suffering, faith, and self-sacrifice — drew growing emotion and admiration within Catholic communities in Cameroon and beyond.

With this recognition, Jean-Thierry Ebogo becomes the second Cameroonian officially declared “Venerable” by the Roman Catholic Church after Simon Mpeke, widely known as Baba Simon, the missionary figure closely associated with evangelization efforts in northern Cameroon.

Following the Vatican’s announcement, several faithful and religious leaders traveled to the Edith Stein Monastery of the Discalced Carmelites in Nkolbisson, where the young religious brother is buried.

During a pilgrimage held there on May 25, 2026, Yaoundé Archbishop Jean Mbarga praised the spiritual depth of Jean-Thierry Ebogo’s life. “He gave everything to the Lord, transcending the sufferings of this world and of his own body as he gradually rose toward heaven,” the archbishop said. “May this place truly be recognized as a sanctified site through his story, and may we always find comfort there in our faith.”

The declaration has further strengthened the emotional and spiritual significance surrounding Jean-Thierry Ebogo’s memory. For many Catholic faithful — especially young believers — he represents a figure of courage, resilience, and spiritual surrender in the face of suffering.

The Vatican’s decision also comes at a time when the African Catholic Church increasingly seeks to highlight local figures of holiness whose lives closely reflect the continent’s social and human realities. For many observers, the journey of the young Cameroonian Carmelite fits squarely within that movement.

Source: Business in Cameroon

25, May 2026

Pope Leo apologises for Church’s historic role in slavery ⁰

Pope Leo on Monday issued the clearest apology yet from a pontiff for the Catholic Church’s ‌role in slavery, acknowledging both its delay in condemning the practice and its historic involvement in legitimising it.

In a key passage of his first papal encyclical, Leo said the Church had taken centuries to fully recognise “the scourge of slavery” as incompatible with human dignity, calling the legacy “a wound in Christian memory.”

“For this, in the name of the Church, I sincerely ask for ⁠pardon,” he wrote in the wide-ranging manifesto, expressing “deep sorrow” for the suffering endured by enslaved people.

Leo acknowledged that Church authorities had, at times, responded to rulers by regulating and legitimising forms of subjugation, including the enslavement of non-Christians.

He also acknowledged that before that time, in the Middle Ages, ecclesiastical institutions had their own slaves.

He said the Church only reached a “formal, absolute and universal condemnation” of slavery in the 19th century, under Pope Leo XIII, after what the current pope described as a long period of inconsistency in teaching and practice.

PREVIOUS PAPAL STATEMENTS ON SLAVERY

The remarks mark the most ‌explicit ⁠papal admission to date of institutional responsibility, going beyond earlier statements by previous popes that focused on the actions of individual Christians rather than the Vatican itself.

Pope John Paul II, during a 1985 visit to Africa, asked forgiveness from Africans for the suffering caused by “men belonging to Christian nations” in the slave trade.

Leo’s predecessor ⁠Francis condemned the plight of modern-day slaves and formally repudiated papal documents from the 15th century which were used by colonial powers to give legitimacy to their actions, which included slavery.

But such statements stopped short of ⁠directly addressing the role of the papacy, instead framing responsibility in broader terms tied to Christians or historical circumstances.

Leo’s intervention was made in his debut encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas” (Magnificent Humanity), which addresses the ethical ⁠challenges of artificial intelligence and warns of new forms of exploitation linked to the global economy.

Genealogical research published after Leo’s election last year showed that history’s first U.S.-born pope had a diverse ancestry that included both enslaved people and slaveholders.

Source: Reuters

16, May 2026

The Holy Father to visit France in September ⁰

Pope Leo XIV will travel to France for an official state visit from September 25 to 28, the Vatican announced on Saturday, the first such trip by a pontiff in 18 years.

The first pope from the United States, elected in May 2025, will notably travel to Paris for a visit to the headquarters of UNESCO, the United Nations culture agency, the Vatican said in a statement.

The visit will come after a trip to Spain in June, demonstrating the pope’s interest in engaging with historically Catholic but increasingly secular European countries that had been largely overlooked by his predecessor, Francis.

It will be the first papal state visit to France since Benedict XVI went in September 2008.

While Francis visited France three times as pope – to Strasbourg, Marseille and the island of Corsica – those trips were not official visits by the Holy See.

The president of the French Bishops’ Conference (CEF), Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, had extended an invitation to Leo to visit France, one repeated by President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to the pontiff at the Vatican in April.

“We are delighted that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has confirmed his visit to France. This visit next September will be an honour for our country, a source of joy for Catholics and a great moment of hope for everyone,” Macron posted on X.

‘Missionary zeal’

A French speaker, Leo had expressed on various occasions “the great esteem in which he holds our country and her spiritual history,” Aveline said earlier in May.

“It’s a great joy, but also a great responsibility,” the cardinal said on Saturday after the visit was confirmed.

“In the discussions I have had with the pope since his election, I quickly realised how keen he was on such a visit … He is particularly interested in the life of the Church in France, its missionary zeal and also the challenges it faces,” Aveline added.

It comes at a time when the Church has had to grapple with various splits on social, political, ethical and theological issues, with Leo seeking to mediate with both the progressive and traditionalist factions within Catholicism.

Besides the capital, the pontiff will also travel to Lourdes, a site of pilgrimage for Christians worldwide.

The southwestern French town’s important Catholic shrine welcomed Jean-Paul II in 1983 and in 2004, as well as Benedict in 2008. Each time, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims gathered to see the pope, according to the sanctuary.

Source: AFP