What was meant to be a celebration of faith and renewal at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Bamenda quickly turned into a dramatic display of public disapproval when Christians openly rejected the mention of President Paul Biya during a high-profile rededication ceremony.
The event, presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, Archbishop Avelino Bettencourt, drew thousands of worshippers eager to witness the reopening of the Metropolitan Cathedral after major renovation works. But the ceremony took an unexpected turn the moment the name of the Head of State was introduced.
Cathedral Erupts in Catcalling
During his remarks, the Nuncio expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the renovation project and extended appreciation to President Biya “through his personal representative,” Francis Fai Yengo, National Coordinator of the DDR program.
Immediately after Biya’s name was mentioned, the congregation erupted into loud catcalls, and murmurs of disapproval. The protest grew so intense that it briefly halted the ceremony for few minutes.
Eyewitnesses say the reaction was spontaneous and widespread, with many worshippers shaking their heads, waving their hands in dismissal, or verbally rejecting the acknowledgement of the president.
The uproar continued for several minutes, forcing Archbishop Bettencourt to intervene. He reminded the crowd that he was “the representative of the Pope” in an apparent attempt to restore order. Only then did the congregation gradually settle.
A Rare Public Rebuke Inside a Church
The Christians’ reaction has sparked debate over Biyas’ legitimacy as president of Cameroon. Many observers say it reflects a deep well of frustration and mistrust toward the Biya regime in the North West Region, a part of the country heavily affected by conflict and political tension.
Analysts argue that the catcalling inside a place of worship and during a ceremony led by the Vatican’s highest representative in Cameroon sends a powerful message.
“This level of public disapproval inside a cathedral is unprecedented,” one political commentator noted. “It shows that people are no longer willing to hide their anger, even before ministers and church authorities.”
Questioning the Legitimacy of Election Results
Critics say the incident directly challenges the official claim that President Biya secured 86 percent of votes in the region during the recent elections.
“For a congregation to reject the mere mention of the Head of State, in church, tells you everything you need to know about the credibility of those numbers,” a Bamenda resident remarked.
Faith Ceremony Overshadowed by Political Reality
While the rededication was meant to highlight unity, spiritual renewal, and community achievement, the Christians’ reaction revealed that political dissatisfaction in the region is so deep that it cannot be silenced, not even in sacred spaces.