Francophone Catholic Bishops betray Anglophones like Judas Iscariot. Is the gospel the same in French as in English?

After months of selective amnesia, Francophone Catholic Bishops have awakened from their Rip Van Winkle slumber and are calling for the resumption of schools in Anglophone Cameroon. In a letter signed by the Arch-Bishop of Douala, Samuel Kleda, the Francophone Bishops did not as much as acknowledge the Anglophone problem, let alone condemn the arrests and detention of Anglophone leaders and the grotesque campaign of human savagery and barbarism perpetrated on the people of Southern Cameroons by the government. Rather, the Francophone Bishops were more concerned in "safe-guarding national unity.” 

That Francophone Bishops are on the payroll of the gov't is not in doubt; after all, Biya pays his tithes to the Catholic Chruch. But at a time Catholics are celebrating the risen Christ; the true servant leader, who died on the cross, so that his people may have abundant life, Francophone Catholic Bishops are enmeshed in idle self-serving political maneuvers and sickening quixotic shenanigans to endear themselves to the corridors of power.

Whereas the Christian by his or her faith commitment to Christ is meant to be in the world but not of the world with all its corrupt influences, Francophone Catholic Bishops find it hard to distinguish themselves from the rot that is prevalent in the land. Whereas the Christian is supposed to be a light in the midst of darkness, and a sign of contradiction to a corrupt society, Francophone Catholic Bishops have joined the bandwagon of debauchery.

Numbed by greed, Francophone Bishops are blind to the significance of sacrificial leadership exemplified by Christ on the Cross of Calvary. May the Lord be merciful to those Francophone Catholic Bishops, who, like Judas Iscariot betrayed our Anglophone Catholic Bishops, who have spoken truth to power and remained faithful to the higher values and virtues that authentic religion promotes.

IJMN.

Below is the press release from  the Arch-Bishop of Douala, Samuel Kleda:

"One People, One Nation!"

MESSAGE OF THE BISHOPS OF CAMEROON

Concerning the Situation in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon

To the People of God in Cameroon
To all persons of good will

 "I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, ... eager to maintain the :olio, of she Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, ... one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Eph 4:1-6)

1. Sin. independence, Cameroonian have been challenged to build a nation with intelligence and wisdom, inspired by their colonial and traditional heritages. This contraction of the nation is not yet over. In this process, the nation has experienced ups and downs of all sorts.

2. Since October 2016, the North West and South West Regions have lived through a delicate situation which began with a strike initiated by lawyers, followed by another strike, in November 2016, begun by various teaches' unions. The consequences of these strikes have been the suspension of classes, violence of various forms, arrests, ghost towns, attacks on property, as well as on persons. In short, these have led to a social crisis with a very negative impact on economic, educational and living conditions. During the meeting of the Standing Committee of 6 December 2016 and during the 40th Seminar of the Bishops in Mamfe, in January 2017, We invited the various protagonists to a frank and honest dialogue. The Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda, on several occasions, also issued appeals, inviting all the parties to dialogue.

3. Gathered in Yaounde during our 42'. Plenary Assembly, held from 23 to 29 April 2017, we, the Bishops of Cameroon, once again examined the situation of the social crisis prevailing in the North West and the South West Regions. This situation is becoming more and more worrying and damaging to the whole nation.

4. The Church, the family of God in Cameroon, journeys in solidarity with our brothers and sisters, our children, all our fellow citizens who are living through these difficult situations.
"Jesus Christ is our Reconciliation, our Justice and our Peace". We, the Bishops of Cameroon, have a duty to ensure the promotion of reconciliation, justice and peace for every person, throughout our nation, in all its regions. The Church has always witnessed, with the courage of faith and a hope for a future which brings peace, in order to resist all sorts of threats to living together as a nation, by appealing to the people for peace and communion through dialogue and concertation.

5. Aware of the rule of law and calling to mind how the State has always guaranteed the expression of the faith of believers and their contribution to nation-building, we have been keenly involved in promoting a search for solutions to the questions asked, and in seeking way's for a return to better days, since the beginning of the events which afflict the North West and South West Regions. In the current situation, we, your Bishops, consider it morally necessary to pursue this commitment. We urge the parties concerned to continue dialogue and encourage the search for institutional and human solutions. We call on all our compatriots to continue together in building our nation and its unity. In the meantime, it is essential that we continue the process of the total decentralization of our institutions "which aims at the promotion of development, democracy and good governance at the local level. (Law of 2004); and by so doing strengthen our unity in diversity, living together in our common heritage, dialoguing for the common good and for democracy.

6. For this reason, dialogue is important and necessary. It is the promotion of the heritage of the common social and ethical values in different social and cultural traditions in order that all citizens may participate in the consolidation of the common good, of justice and of peace. It is not limited only to what we have in common; but is geared towards the highest point of unity. To be effective, such a dialogue must be open, invigorated by a sincere respect for others and a spirit of reconciliation, fraternity and a readiness to compromise. A dialogue of this nature effectively permits us to overcome social crises, as well as help us to live together in solidarity and peace.

7. Such a dialogue concerns the State, in its institutional form, which embodies three powers: the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislative. It also concerns all intermediary bodies, political parties, trade unions, municipalities and civil society. The aim of a dialogue, organized in this manner, is to promote peace, justice, democracy and well-being, as well as combats enmities, rivalries and conflicts. Furthermore, at all levels, it !cads to the reconciliation of rights and duties; it helps to reconcile the memories of the nation and the vision for its future. In all, the rule of law should be .teemed as the most comprehensive institutional form for the planning and organization of the nation.

8. With regard to the problems relating to the present situation in the South West and North West regions, considering the evolution of the problems – beginning with a trade union problem, to a political, an administrative and now a constitutional problem — we must seek the best interests of the nation. It is important for the good and stability of our country to respect the institutional subsidiarity and solidarity that affects every problem posed to its competent body, while taking into account the relevant opinions formally issued by private and legal persons. We recommend that each state agency, the intermediary bodies and the civil society should assume its responsibilities and act according to its legal competence! We recommend that institutional solutions be given to those problems which in reality affect the whole nation.

9. Just as the social problems mentioned above are important and urgent, so also are the preservation of human relations and living together among citizens. In the name of our common citizenship, brotherhood and our humanity, the defense of legitimate interests must go hand in hand with social harmony, which is what is being sought. Violence is not only damaging and destructive, it also radicalizes the parties and prevents the return of calm. Violence, regardless of its source, does not build; it destroys! For this reason, We appeal that mistrusts, suspicions, civil disobedience, arbitrary, arrests, intimidations of all kinds, pressures to gain one right or the other, obstructions and threats on public activities should cease. In this light, therefore, we invite all the protagonists of this crisis to a true reconciliation of hearts.

10. Ott the question of education institutions, we, the Bishops, reaffirm that education is an integral part of the mission of the Church, as Mother and Educator. We uphold the inalienable right to education for all human beings. We invite parents, therefore, to take responsibility for letting the children go to school in order to give them the chance to plan their future. We call on the State to guarantee the necessary security conditions for school activities and to take special measures to provide special subsidies and to alleviate the fiscal charges and their different taxes which weigh heavily on the schools since the beginning of the crisis. The summons of the Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda to justice is inappropriate and counterproductive, especially at this grave moment when all of Cameroon is mobilised for a quick and peaceful solution to this crisis. We appeal, therefore:
- That lectures be resumed in all primary schools, secondary schools and university establishments;
- That the strikes, the ghost towns, and the harassments cease;
- That the destiny of the detainees be clarified according to appropriate judicial procedure; - That negotiations intensify and accelerate so that urgent answers be given to the problems posed by lawyers in particular, and on the other hand, respect of the constitution, the acceleration of decentralization and a guarantee of the security of citizens by the forces of law and order.

11. At this critical time in the history of our nation, what matters is the well-being of all Cameroonian. We invite all Cameroonians to solidarity and a search for mutual trust. We strongly appeal for unity and true peace. The Church, by virtue of its prophetic mission, has to do all in its power to promote all forms of mediations that come up and those that are slow in coming up. The Church's mission for the good of the entire nation is to awaken, to accompany and to be at the service of dialogue.

12. To all believers and men and women of goodwill, impinges the obligation to a formation of consciences. We appeal: - That all preaching that incites hatred, vengeance and public disobedience should cease! - That the culture of peace, brotherhood and love be promoted!

13. To the media men and women, and all users of new communication technologies, professional ethics requires respecting the code of conduct of this specialized body. - May the propagation of hatred, violence and false news that inevitably leads to chaos in the social communications cease!
- May all citizens join forces for the life and stability of our nation, in order to put a stop on the malice of division, discrimination and destabilization that wants to destroy our country!
- That all disagreements be ended, and that, with mutual agreement, reciprocal trust and above all boundless charity, institutional solutions, based on human and civic values, should be sought!
- That this historic and noble undertaking be carried out with tact, prudence and magnanimity!
- "All of US desire peace, many people build it every day by small gestures.

 Let us commit ourselves, through prayer and action, to becoming people who have barred violence from their hear., words and gestures, and to build non-violent communities that take care of the common home. Nothing is impossible if we address God in prayer. All of us can be peacemakers."Pape Francois

14. To all Christian faithful and all other believers, we exhort:
- That you pray intensely for justice, reconciliation, peace, and the unity of our nation!
 - May the light of the risen Christ brighten our hearts and our faces!
- May the Almighty God inspire the whole nation to live together in the search for life in abundance for all!
- May the Virgin Mary, Patroness of our country, accompany us today and always!

Samuel Kleda

Archbishop of Douala

President of the NECC