The Bishop of Ebolowa and Deputy President of the National Episcopal Conference, His Lordship Philip Alain Mbarga, says President Paul Biya is not Cameroon’s main problem. To him, Cameroon’s main problem is a lack of being industrious and patriotic to the growth and development of the nation. He was speaking on Tuesday, December 20, 2025, during homily while celebrating a morning mass for the bishops in the context of the 48th Bishops Annual Seminar currently taking place in Buea.
The Prelate indicated that the President of the Republic is just a catalyst, like the Pope, who facilitates the smooth running of a system without having direct effects on the system.
“If everyone does their job effectively without using greed or dark heart, then we shall be all fine. The head of state can only facilitate a system that enables everyone to put in their best for the nation to forge ahead,” he indicated.
The bishop, however, overlooked the fact that the Catholic church operates in a decentralised manner, allowing local bishops and priests to exercise full control. This differs from the situation in Cameroon, where President Biya centralises power.
Atemkeng Peter, a civil society actor, told MMI that this moment in Cameroon’s political history, was a litmus test for the bishops
“If this bishop, as well as the rest of the bishops, allow themselves to be dragged into this despicable and debilitating scheme of political expediency, then they don’t merit to be the conscience of society as their vocation demands of them,” he said.
Multiplication of Talents
Backing his homily on the Miracle of the Multiplication of Bread and Fish, the bishop of Ebolowa further indicated that Cameroonians, especially the youths, should make maximum use of their talents and skills so as to attract multiplication from God.
“Jesus could multiply the five loaves of bread and two fish to the multitude because the population made some sacrifices in providing something. What do you have to show to God to multiply? Will you sit and keep condemning those in governance without having anything to show, or will you pick up some skills and pray to God for multiplications?” He said.
The utterances of Mgr. Allain-Philip Mbarga come on the heels of others made by the Bishops of Douala, Yaguoa, and Ngaoundere, calling on President Paul Biya not to stand again for the upcoming presidential election.
The statements have also resulted in widespread debate in the Cameroon media space, causing the government to react and say the stance of those bishops will not influence the minds of Cameroonians.
The bishops’ seminar ends this Saturday, January 11, 2025. Many Cameroonians are looking forward to the final declaration of the bishops.
