The Archbishop of Bamenda, Mgr Andrew Fuanya Nkea, used his Christmas message to call for peace in Cameroon and reiterate his stance on marriage, emphasizing that it remains a sacred union solely between a man and a woman.
In a press interview on Christmas Day, the prelate underscored the importance of respecting natural law and African values, asserting that such values must be upheld, especially during the celebration of Christmas.
Highlighting the significance of the family structure, Archbishop Nkea pointed that the birth of Jesus Christ within a traditional family setting of a man and a woman.
“Although Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, he was born into the family of Mary and Joseph. And therefore we should respect the family values, especially the family values that come from our African culture; African values of marriage between a man and a woman,” he stated.
Addressing what he termed the central theme of his Christmas message, Archbishop Nkea expressed a clear prohibition: “It is forbidden for any priest to bless two men or two women who call themselves a couple.”
He emphasized that the Christmas message centered on respecting God’s creation and adhering to the natural law that dictates the bonding of a man and a woman for the procreation of children.
The Archbishop’s call aligns with a broader message from the Bishops of Cameroon condemning homosexuality and same-sex unions.
The Bishops explicitly forbade priests from blessing same-sex couples, a sentiment echoed by Archbishop Nkea.
This comes amid a contrasting move by Pope Francis, who, in a landmark decision, authorized Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples, but not as part of a regular Church ritual.
The Pope’s decision has sparked intense debate, particularly among African Bishops, with both Nigerian and Cameroonian Bishops issuing releases forbidding the blessing of same-sex couples.
The Bishops of Cameroon denounced the blessing of same-sex couples, asserting that such an act “would be tantamount to encouraging a choice and a practice of life that cannot be recognized as being objectively ordered to the revealed designs of God.”
Call For Peace
While the Archbishop’s Christmas message focused on upholding traditional values, he also extended a plea for peace in Cameroon and particularly in Bamenda, which has been marred by armed conflict for over six years.
The impact of the conflict was palpable on Christmas Day, marked by a ghost town and sporadic gunshots and an explosion in the city.
Archbishop Nkea fervently prayed for peace to reign in the country, acknowledging Jesus Christ as a “prince of peace.”
“…It is my wish that this peace should reign in the hearts of all the men, all the women and all the children of our archdiocese of Bamenda and in our country,” he preached.
He extended his message beyond peace, urging for children to go to school.
Kate Bih contributed to this report
