Bamenda: Archbishop Andrew Nkea warn families against financial pressure on Priests

By Bakah Derick 

The Archbishop of Bamenda has warned newly ordained priests in his Archdiocese to stay away from excessive money generation activities for family and personal interest. His Grace Andrew Nkea Fuanya was speaking in Bamenda on Wednesday 12 April 2023 during the ordination of some 13 priests at the St Joseph Metropolitan Cathedral Big Mankon. 

Priest being ordained in Bamenda on the ground in white 

The prelate was categorical when he lashed out on priests who because of personal and family interest multiply money collection initiatives in church just to satisfy their needs. Describing it as 'money doubling', Archbishop Nkea, indicated that the priesthood was and shall never be a race or a job. "It is a vocation." He said 

The Doctor in Canon Law emphasized that families should learn to give their children to the church and to God completely and not to pressure them for money. He used the moment to announce that from now hence, the new priests in his Archdiocese will have to hand their personal wills to the church after sometime. 

Attendees of the ordination Mass

This amongst others constitute challenges facing priests these days reason why the Archbishop challenged the newly ordained to be prayerful and committed to God as their main source of hope and strength. He invited the thousands of those who showed up for the annual ordination ritual to continue praying for the priests faced by varried challenges. 

For the first time in the Archdiocese of Bamenda, after the ordination ritual, the newly ordained priests received certificates testifying to their completion of priestly formation in theology and pastoral ministry which covers a period of over eight years. 

Fons at the ordination Mass

The Fons of Mankon, Bambili, Bambui where present at the Cathedral Big Mankon to witness some of their subject ordained priests. It was the first ordination the Fon of Mankon His Royal Highness Fon Angwafo IV was attending a Pontifical Mass in the Cathedral since his official coronation in December 2022. His Grace Andrew Nkea has expressed gratitude to the Fon for coming and his predecessor for providing the land on which the Cathedral is found.