The countdown to the grand 60th-anniversary celebration of Bishop Rogan College (BIROCOL) in Small Soppo, Buea, has officially begun. A launch ceremony on Friday, October 4th, 2024, marked the start of a series of activities leading to the diamond jubilee. His Lordship Bishop Michael Bibi of the Diocese of Buea presided over the event, which took place at the Regina Pacis Cathedral in Small Soppo. Many members of the seminary’s community, including current students, graduates, parents, administrators, and staff, came to celebrate the enduring legacy of this prestigious institution.
Bishop Bibi Calls for Dedication
In his address, Bishop Bibi highlighted the importance of humility and commitment in preparing for the seminary’s landmark celebration, set for January 18, 2025. He urged the organising committees to remain focused on their responsibilities, emphasising that their collective efforts would ensure that the seminary’s legacy continues to flourish.
“As we have entrusted the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee in your hands, I urge you to maintain the spirit of sacrifice that has characterized your work thus far. Together, we shall be able to successfully commemorate this milestone in January 2025, and together we shall use this occasion to thank God for bringing us this far,” Bishop Bibi said during his homily, which was part of a Eucharistic celebration to launch the anniversary activities.
Jubilee Project and Theme Unveiled
A highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of the official anniversary logo and theme. The logo, described by Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ndifor, a former student of the seminary, prominently features Bishop Rogan College at its centre, symbolising its role in shaping future leaders, with a Bible at its base. The theme for the celebration, drawn from the Gospel of Matthew, is “Let Your Light Shine Before Men” (Matthew 5:15), serving as a reminder for ex-students to live out the values instilled in them during their time at the seminary.
“In all aspects of life, Bishop Rogan ex-students have been a shining light in the world. The values we received from this institution have guided us to become leaders in various fields,” Fr. Ndifor remarked in his address.
The Bishop Rogan Ex-Students Association’s National President, Molute Simon Esanja, used the occasion to announce a significant jubilee project that the alumni are in charge of. He announced that they mobilised resources to complete a significant project, which the seminary authorities will officially receive during the celebration’s peak in January.
“Our diamond jubilee project is nearing completion, and we are determined to present it to the school on the D-day. We cannot fail God, who has blessed us so abundantly through this institution. Bishop Rogan College (BIROCOL) has been a beacon of excellence, shaping the lives of countless students,” Esanja stated with conviction.
Double Celebrations
The 60th anniversary of BIROCOL coincides with the upcoming 75th-anniversary celebration of the Diocese of Buea, adding to the historical significance of these momentous events. As the diocese approaches the peak celebration, they plan a range of activities, including a pilgrimage for students and alumni, outreach programmes that involve visits to prisons and orphanages, and community projects aimed at giving back to society.
On January 18, 2025, a Pontifical High Mass will serve as the centrepiece of the celebration. Various activities will follow, including the presentation of the ex-students’ jubilee project. The festivities will conclude with a farewell Mass on January 19, 2025.
Bishop Peter Rogan, the first residential bishop of the Diocese of Buea, founded Bishop Rogan College, which welcomed its first seminarians during the 1964–1965 academic year. Since then, it has grown from an initial enrolment of 29 students to a current strength of 457. BIROCOL currently stands out as one of Cameroon’s leading institutions for priestly formation, with all five bishops of the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province proudly identifying as ex-students.
