The Moderator Emeritus of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC), Rev. Festus A. Asana, has urged the incumbent, Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba, to respect the church’s constitution. He made the call in a letter addressed to Rev. Fonki. ahead of the upcoming elections.
“It is first for you as Moderator, then for all church officers copied, and finally for all members of the Synod of Elections. I write as Moderator Emeritus who has the PCC at heart, after receiving echoes from the grassroots of the church,” he said.
Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba is expected to step down after the expiry of his two-term mandate as Moderator of the PCC. However, reports suggest that the Church’s constitution is being disregarded. One such allegation is that the incumbent is allegedly attempting to impose certain candidates without due process.
The former Moderator expressed concerns about this problem and other issues afflicting the Church in a letter that MMI saw. He noted that throughout Rev. Fonki’s tenure, the incumbent did not heed his advice as a retired church leader with experience.
“At the beginning of your pastoral ministry and in the early part of your service as Moderator, you received very positive commendations, but with time, things changed,” Rev. Asana stated in the letter.
According to the Moderator Emeritus, the PCC has strayed from its constitution and policy over the years. “People have approached me to ask if there is nothing I can do as former Moderator to reverse this trend,” he said. “All along, I have remained silent, but the current events have reached alarming proportions and are taking the Church to a dangerous precipice.”
Upcoming Elections
Rev. Asana pointed out that pre-prepared lists have been circulated and threats issued to dissenting voices, allegedly with the backing of the incumbent. “For the upcoming elections for the next Moderator and Synod Clerk, I have seen proposed lists circulating when the nomination process has not taken place,” he said.
“I have read threats from some Presbyterial Secretaries who quote you as the source of information,” he continued. He questioned such acts, which he claimed were against the Church’s constitution. “Where is the constitution that pastors should act in fear of you instead of respect for the Church’s constitution and the procedure for elections?” he asked, alleging that tribal meetings are being organised to endorse the unconstitutional lists.
Rev. Fonki Called to Order
With Rev. Fonki’s name at the centre of the controversy, the former Moderator cautioned him about the legacy he is leaving behind. “What is important about the office is not the pomp of induction but the manner in which you finally exit. You are about to exit. What legacy will you leave behind you?” he wrote.
He told Rev. Fonki to forget “the clapping when you make long speeches or impose your will during meetings.” And went ahead to reveal that PCC Christians are grumbling and church workers are groaning but cannot speak out because of threats.
“Be informed that many do not respect you. They fear you,” he stated.
“People respect the pectoral cross that was handed to you at the induction, and you will soon hand it over to the next Moderator. The office of the Moderator is that of the pastor of pastors for the smooth running of the church. The so-called ‘winning team’ is hailing you to self-destruction,” he cautioned.
The moderator emeritus further added that this is impacting the ministry of young pastors.
“The church cannot be run like a family business. This spirit of hunger for money has infected many of our young pastors who have been derailed from their spiritual roles as good shepherds,” he wrote.
