Priest celebrates 9th Anniversary with no regret

By Bakah Derick 

Ordained on the 30^th of December 2006 in Bafoussam by the then Bishop of Bafoussam His Lordship Joseph Atanga, Rev Fr Romeo Nghemteu is a religious priest with the Piarist Fathers well known around the Northwest as Calasanzian Fathers. 

Fr Romeo Nghemteu at Mass on Easter 2015 in Mbelem Nkwen

December 30, 2015 made him nine years as a Priest of the Catholic Church. Across St. Michael’s Parish Futru Nkwen where he is currently serving, it has been a constant exchange of best wishes to the Priest who during his ordination was the youngest Calasanzian priest.

Sunday January 3, 2016 which happened to be the first Sunday after the anniversary gave the priest the opportunity to celebrate with his parishioners most of them children. After saying his Sunday Masses, the Priest was received in front of their house “Fathers house” as he returned home by children and adults with happy anniversary songs. Like the verbal wishes, so too did a cake come for his anniversary from a parishioner. In a celebrative mode, the priest shared his cake with all those who showed up with all. 

After his ordination, Fr Romeo was sent to Congo Kinshassa where he served for some time before returning to Cameroon to live with the community of Menteh and then Futru.

While serving as Delegate of the Fr General for Africa for vocations, Rev. Fr, Romeo was in April 2015 elected Assistant Provincial in charge of Pastoral Vocation and Initial formation.

During his Ordination in 2006 he chose “do this in memory of me.” as his motto with an explanatory image of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. Quizzed on the significance of this to him after these nine years as a priest, Fr. Romeo explained:  “that has been the source of my joy. I have been following that advice by celebrating the Eucharist and by being at the service of the people.

As to whether he would backtrack on his decision as a priest if given the opportunity he replied “I don’t regret. If I had a choice to make over by way of life I will chose this way of life (as a priest) over and over again.”