Cameroon

Late Bishop Bala’s aide dies in Yaounde hospital of food poisoning after vomiting red

14, September 2017

Late Bishop Bala’s aide dies in Yaounde hospital of food poisoning after vomiting red 0

Barely three months after the tragic and mysterious disappearance of Bishop Jean-Marie Benoît Bala, the late Bishop’s mechanic who moonlighted as his courier has died in strange circumstances after a trip to the Yaounde Nsimalen International Airport to convey a nun back from leave.

Pascal Boade died tragically in the middle of last week according to Cameroon Concord News sources in Bafia. Some family members have opined that the deceased succumbed to some kind of poison that was given to him via a meal and a drink.

Camcordnews is yet to establish the correctness of this allegation. However, what we do know is that, he collapsed at the entrance of the Nsimalen airport, vomited blood, was transported to the dispensary at the airport and later on evacuated to the emergency ward at the Central Hospital in Yaounde where he passed on.

Pascal Boade was one of the late Bishop’s confidante. His numerous aptitudes in the field of mechanics made him the appointed technician of the diocese. His availability also made him indispensable within the late Bishop Bala administration. It is also reported that he had been seen in the morning of his death in full possession of his physical means.

By Sama Ernest
Cameroon Concord News


La Republique: Sebastian Cathedral closed following discovery of blood on Bishop Bala’s tomb

29, August 2017

La Republique: Sebastian Cathedral closed following discovery of blood on Bishop Bala’s tomb 0

The judicial police in Bafia have sealed the Sebastian Cathedral following the discovery of blood precisely on the altar, the steps leading to the cathedral, the table that bears the liturgy and the tomb of the late Bishop Jean Marie Benoit Bala. Samples of the discovered blood was taken to Yaoundé for medical examination.

Cameroon Concord News can now confirm that the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Bafia was sealed by the competent authorities on Monday the 28th of August 2017. We also understand that following the closure of the cathedral, masses will now be celebrated at the Saint Paul Center.

According to the Canon Law, the reopening of the cathedral can only be carried out again after a decision from the Holy Father Pope Francis. The late Bishop Jean Benoit Bala was declared missing on the 31st of May 2017 and was found dead three days later in the waters of the Sanaga River. He was buried in the San Sebastian Cathedral of Bafia on the 3rd of August.

By Fru James
Cameroon Concord News


Bafia: Huge amount of blood found on the tomb of late Bishop Jean Marie Bala

28, August 2017

Bafia: Huge amount of blood found on the tomb of late Bishop Jean Marie Bala 0

A French Cameroun radio has reported that a huge amount of blood was found in the Saint Sebastian Cathedral in Bafia precisely on the tomb of the late Bishop Jean Marie Benoît Bala in the early hours of Monday the 28th of August 2017.

Radio Balafon emitting from Douala, also observed that the blood was sprayed on the altar of the cathedral and on the steps leading to the area commonly called the Bishop’s chair and on the table that bears the golden book and on the tomb of Bishop Jean Marie Benoit Bala.

A source in Bafia who confirmed the happenings to Cameroon Concord News, further pointed out that security forces and the state Prosecutor were summoned by Roman Catholic authorities to witness the scene. We understand, some samples of the discovered blood were collected and have been taken to Yaoundé for medical examination.

Local residents say it could be a ritual that was done in the night. The vicar of the Bafia Diocese had the blood on the altar cleaned before Eucharistic celebrations this morning. The parish priest on leave was called back urgently on this subject.

Bishop Jean Benoit Bala was declared missing on the 31st of May 2017 and was found dead three days later in the Sanaga River. The circumstances surrounding his death at the age of 58 are being investigated. In addition to this, another investigation is currently being conducted for the death of the rector of the Bafia minor seminary, Armel Djama who was killed 10 days before Bishop Jean Marie Benoit Bala.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai with files from CIN


Bishop Bala Funeral: Biya regime deploys heavily armed soldiers to Bafia

2, August 2017

Bishop Bala Funeral: Biya regime deploys heavily armed soldiers to Bafia 0

Troops from the Rapid Intervention Battalion, BIR have been deployed to Bafia for the funeral ceremony of the late Bishop Jean Marie Benoit Bala. The late Bishop started his last journey yesterday evening with prayers, meditation and religious rites.

The decision to send soldiers to Bafia was made when information filtered that some Christians of the Bafia Diocese were preparing a violent anti government demonstration to demand a clear explanation on the killing of the Prelate.

Meanwhile, there has been a slight modification in the original program made by the Diocese. The new program certainly from Douala indicates that the funeral convoy will make a stop at the Sanaga Bridge, where the Late Bishop’s car was parked, with the alleged suicide note “I am in the water”.

The new program below reads:

Today Wednesday 2nd August 2017

Removal of the Corpse from the Yaounde General Hospital Mortuary at 9 a.m

Mass at the Our Lady of Victory Cathedral in Yaounde

Departure for Bafia

Arrival of the remains of the Prelate at the Ebebda Bridge via Balamba and Ombessa

Arrival at the entrance of Bafia town in a slowdown funeral procession

Laying in state at the Bafia Cathedral

First mass at 6 p.m. Mass after every three hours (9 p.m, midnight, 3 a.m and 6a.m)
Tomorrow Thursday 3rd August 2017

Requiem mass at 10 a.m
Burial

Source: Cameroon Info.Net


Roman Catholic Church Crisis: Days Numbered for Controversial Bishop of Bertoua

31, July 2017

Roman Catholic Church Crisis: Days Numbered for Controversial Bishop of Bertoua 0

A violent demonstration staged by Roman Catholic faithful of the archdiocese of Bertoua was dispersed Sunday morning by the forces of law and order. The protesters called for the removal of Monsignor Joseph Atanga, the Bishop of Bertoua. If there’s a place in French Cameroun associated with rebellion these days, then it’s the city of Bertoua, where even the most pious of Catholics are protesting against their regional church leader, Bishop Joseph Atanga. For several years, the bishop who had served in Bafoussam has been a lightning rod for criticism because he has lived in luxury while simultaneously extolling the virtues of poverty and humility. More than anything, though, he has become a symbol of a Cameroonian Roman Catholic Church that has seen its membership swiftly dwindle following a series of scandals including the brutal murder of Bishop Jean Benoit Balla that have shaken public faith in the religious institution.

They reportedly arrived 30 minutes before the Eucharistic celebration and waved placards observing that “Bishop Joseph Atanga Must Go”. Some of the banners read “We’re tired of your mismanagement”, “the Church is not a business center” but were quickly snatched by law enforcement officers who had erected a huge security cordon at the church premise and mined all entrances to the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Bertoua.

In a letter sent to the National Episcopal Conference, the Apostolic Nuncio and the Governor of the Eastern Region, 250 parishioners did denounce what they consider to be “the poor behavior” of Monsignor Joseph Atanga.

They cited the fanciful transfer of priests, the calamitous management of the archdiocese of Bertoua, and the excessive affairs of the Bishop. They are demanding the departure of their “bad” shepherd.

So far, no official of the Roman Catholic Church in the East Region has commented on the prevailing situation. This is an additional scandal in an archdiocese which had already recently defrayed the chronicle through a case of homosexuality.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai with files from Cameroun Info.Net


Bishop Bala Affair: Biya makes financial donations to angry groups, traditional rulers

20, July 2017

Bishop Bala Affair: Biya makes financial donations to angry groups, traditional rulers 0

President Paul Biya has given financial compensation to the disgruntled fishermen and traditional rulers who contributed in the search and retrieval of the body of the Late Bishop of Bafia, Bishop Jean Marie Benoit Bala.

The financial package was handed over to the population by the Governor of the Centre Region, Naseri Paul Bea at the Ebebda Council hall. The Governor said the Head of State appreciated the contributions from notables and fishermen and his gesture was to encourage them.

The population of Ebebda worked with military personnel of the Navy and the Fire Fighting corp. for three days and nights in search of the body of the prelate who had gone missing.

The body was eventually found several kilometers from the bridge and pulled off to the shore where it was identified by authorities of the Catholic Church.

Source: CRTV


Bishop Jean Marie Benoit Bala: Going home to rest

18, July 2017

Bishop Jean Marie Benoit Bala: Going home to rest 0

The National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, NCPC confirmed in a press release made public on Monday the 17th of July 2017 that it has received the remains of the late Bishop of Bafia brutally murdered recently by forces closed to the Yaoundé regime.

His Lordship Bishop Jean Marie Benoît Bala, Bishop of Bafia was found dead on the 2nd of June, off the Sanaga River, precisely at Tsang, a village in the Monatelé constituency in the Center region. Cameroon Concord News can now reveal that the Bishop’s body has been handed over to the church after identification.

The process reportedly took place under the watchful eyes of Archbishop Jean Mbarga, Bishop of Yaoundé, Archbishop Samuel Kleda, president of the NCPC, and Abraham Kome, Bishop of Bafang who is the interim apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Bafia.

We understand the Roman Catholic Bishops are planning a funeral on the 2nd and 3rd of August 2017. The NCPC has also indicated that it intends to file a complaint against X, for assassination of Bishop Jean Benoit Bala.

Public opinion is completely divided in a crisis where the judge and jury are the same and at a time when Roman Catholic loyalty is no more on the teachings of Christ but on the doctrines of the ruling CPDM crime syndicate.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai
Cameroon Concord News


Biya regime warns Bafia Diocese of severe options over remains of late Bishop Balla

16, July 2017

Biya regime warns Bafia Diocese of severe options over remains of late Bishop Balla 0

The Biya regime has threatened the pastoral leadership of the Diocese of Bafia over the remains of the late Bishop Balla brutally murdered recently. The administrator of the Diocese of Bafia, Vicar General Abraham Kome has been told that he will be held accountable if the late Bishop’s body is not collected from a mortuary in Yaoundé.

The letter from the judicial police comes after an earlier declaration from the attorney general of the Center region that the remains had long been handed over to the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church.

Ever since the Bishop was assassinated, Catholics in Cameroon have been tirelessly trying to save their Church from the effects of a regime whose intimidation, killings of numerous clergies and bullying have harmed many.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai
Cameroon Concord News


Archbishop of Yaounde says dark forces behind anti-Roman Catholic persecutions in Cameroon

18, June 2017

Archbishop of Yaounde says dark forces behind anti-Roman Catholic persecutions in Cameroon 0

The Archbishop of Yaounde Jean Mbarga has told Radio Vatican that the Roman Catholic Church in Cameroon is being persecuted by evil forces. The Archbishop was speaking of the death of the late Bishop of Bafia, Jean-Marie Benoit Balla.

The prelate believes that the Catholic Church in Cameroon is martyred. “We are in a story, I was about to say, of martyrs in our Church. It has been going on since, and it has been going on for quite some time. When we read this whole story and for the most part things have not been elucidated we deduce that we are persecuted and victims of violence that come from dark forces that affect the Church in its heart, in its blood and in his life, “declared the prelate.

Archbishop Jean Mbarga wondered aloud why Roman Catholic clergies were being targeted.  He also pointed out in the interview that “each time there were assassinations; the Christian family never gets an explanations. We do not know who is really behind the killings.”

Jean Mbarga maintained that the brutal death of Jean-Marie Benoït Balla will leave “indelible traces” in the community he was in charge of evangelizing. He spoke of “dismayed, shocked” faithful and recalled that the bishops “have asked the authorities to shed full light on this crime.”

The disappearance of Bishop Balla surprised him all the more because the context did not allow such a tragedy. “What has just happened to us surprises us all! We do not understand! Because, until that fateful date, everything was fine! In my ecclesiastical province there were no shadows!

By Sama Ernest

Cameroon Concord News


Bishop of Bafia commits suicide: We need to talk about Cameroonian Roman Catholic Bishops and priests

31, May 2017

Bishop of Bafia commits suicide: We need to talk about Cameroonian Roman Catholic Bishops and priests 0

Bishop 1

Bishop Jean-Marie Balla, has reportedly killed himself under a bridge at Ebebda some 78Km from the nation’s capital Yaoundé. The prelate’s car and a statement left by him saying “I am in the water” suggest that the Roman Catholic Bishop of Bafia would have committed suicide.  Bishop Jean Marie Benoît Bala was appointed Bishop of the Bafia diocese with a Christian population of over two hundred thousand in 2003.

Jean Marie Benoît Bala was born May 1959 in Oweng Mbalmayo. He is originally from Mbankomo in the Mefou-Akono Division (Central Province). In addition to studies in philosophy and theology at the Major Seminary at Nkolbisson, he holds a diploma in Social Sciences and Management from the Catholic Institute of Yaoundé. He was ordained priest in 1987 by the late Arch Bishop Jean Zoa.

The vehicle of the Bishop of Bafia was found on the 31st of May 2017 beside a bridge at Ebebda, a small locality in the department of Lekié, Central region. According to the Senior Divisional Officer for Mban and Inoubou, Maurice Tchoffo, it is difficult at the moment to know what really happened to the Man of God.  Indeed, the prelate’s personal documents were found in his vehicle, as well as a piece of paper containing the inscription “I am in the water” suggesting that he had indeed committed suicide. Bishop Benoît Balla, 58, to many around the world has committed sacrilege that will hunt the Roman Catholic Church in Cameroon forever.

The recovery of our nation from the ruling CPDM crime syndicate, if it is to happen, will require confident and reasonably clean religious leaders not priests who can’t keep their hands off teenage girls or other men’s wives, or whose bishops are unable or unwilling to deal with them. The sudden disappearance of Bishop Balla is an indication that our secular leaders have abandoned the outer defenses of our nation and civilization. Bishop Benoit Balla is among those Cameroonian priests who likely failed in the last stand at the inner defenses and was tolerated by the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy for too long.

It is hard to say at this point but the death by suicide of His Lordship Bishop Balla has stunned many people around the world. He is the first Cameroonian Roman Catholic Bishop to take his own life.  Cameroonians are understandably shocked by the particular circumstances of the tragedy. But when the dust settles around the death of Bishop Balla, and his brother- Francophone Cameroun bishops and parishioners begin to pick up the pieces, it’s vital that some good can be brought out of this tragedy. We of Cameroon Intelligence Report believe and fervently too that there is a danger that when the shock dies down, we all get back to business as usual and there is no discussion about the wider questions.

We need to talk about the Cameroonian Roman Catholic Bishops and priests be they Anglophones or Francophones.  This is not the suicide of one Christian whose wife dumped him for a pastor which would be statistically irrelevant. It is not even the suicide of two or three Anglophone priests which may find more correlation with the seven months old Southern Cameroon crisis. We are talking here about the suicide of a Roman Catholic Bishop in Cameroon in very shameful and disgusting circumstances.

A core Roman Catholic teaching which often emphasizes the rewards that come with good works or the punishment that comes with sin has been rubbished by Bishop Balla of the Bafia Diocese. So, God’s grace cannot be earned through good deeds if a Bishop who understands the Roman Catholic strictness of the teachings on suicide and how those teachings become internalized among Catholics could afford to end this way.

The end of Bishop Balla has also called into question the act of regularly confessing sins to a Catholic priest. It was generally thought that since suicide is the only sin that could never be confessed to a priest, a Catholic who finds confession important to avoiding Hell may be less inclined to commit suicide. (We will come back to this aspect later).

Roman Catholic teaching on suicide is clear. As set out in Blessed John Paul II’s Evangelium Vitae (#66): Suicide is always as morally objectionable as murder. The Church’s tradition has always rejected it as a gravely evil choice. Even though a certain psychological, cultural and social conditioning may induce a person to carry out an action which so radically contradicts the innate inclination to life, thus lessening or removing subjective responsibility, suicide, when viewed objectively, is a gravely immoral act. In fact, it involves the rejection of love of self and the renunciation of the obligation of justice and charity towards one’s neighbour, towards the communities to which one belongs, and towards society as a whole. In its deepest reality, suicide represents a rejection of God’s absolute sovereignty over life and death, as proclaimed in the prayer of the ancient sage of Israel: “You have power over life and death; you lead men down to the gates of Hades and back again” (Wis 16:13; cf. Tob 13:2).

Suicide is indeed a mortal sin. If it be not only ‘as morally objectionable as murder’, but ‘always’ so, it is difficult to understand how it might be forgiven before the Throne of Judgment. It is right to say that Bishop Balla of the Bafia Diocese who committed suicide may not possess an informed intellect (ie know that suicide is wrong); and he may not have given full consent of the will (ie intended to commit the action). If he killed himself out of fear or psychological imbalance or emotional stress, there cannot be full consent since these impede the exercise of the will and mitigate responsibility. The Catechism states: ‘Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide’ (#2282).

But in this Bishop Balla suicide there is something which ought to alarm the Roman Catholic Church at the very highest level-the strong ties between the Francophone Roman Catholic Bishops and the barons of the ruling CPDM government.

All suicide is tragedy.  So, yes, we need to talk about Bishop Balla. But let us not do so apart from institutional systems, outdated dogma and overbearing hierarchy. The suicide may as well be an act staged by hired security agents from the state or from abroad.

Bishop2

By Besong Esther Agbor

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