Bishop Andrew Nkea Speaks To Cameroon Concord: "I see a lot of division among cultural groups, alumni groups including church groups in the diaspora"

After the Official and High Level Religious talks by all the Cameroonian Bishops with the Holy Father, Pope Francis at the Saint Peter`s Basilica in Rome, concerning burning Issues affecting the Modern Church in Africa, the Bishop of Mamfe Mgr Andrew Nkea took upon himself the personal responsibility and was at the forefront to unite the disintegrated and fracturized OPSANS in the United States of America during their annual convention in Metropolitan Washington DC. Cameroon Concord US Bureau Chief Bertrand Etukeni Agbaw-Ebai caught up with the prelate from Mamfe in the first ever thrilling and graphic exciting interview of which the Bishop describes his vision and concerns for the Diocese of Mamfe.

Cameroon Concord: Your Lord, the Holy Father Pope Francis appointed you as Coadjutor Bishop of Mamfe, before confirming you as Bishop. Is there any difference between your time as Coadjutor and now that you are Bishop of Mamfe?

Bishop Nkea: Yes, there is a difference. The difference is that as a Coadjutor Bishop, you do what the Bishop tells you to do. You don`t do your own things. But as Bishop you take initiative for the good of the Diocese. As Coadjutor Bishop, I only did what Bishop Francis asked me to do. Now as Bishop, I can take initiative and move the diocese to the direction am convinced according to the will of God.

Cameroon Concord: Mamfe Diocese is still a baby Diocese of the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province. What are some of the projects you are running to make Mamfe Diocese catch up with the likes of Buea and Kumbo?

Bishop Nkea: I don`t want Mamfe Diocese to catch up with any Diocese in the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province. I just want the Diocese to be authentic and grow at its pace. Notwithstanding, we are doing our very best to get projects that are good for Mamfe Diocese. And our big priority which is also my Pastoral strategy now is the construction of the Pastoral Centre Hostels which will enable us to implement the Provincial Pastoral Plan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda. In addition the Diocese is abundantly blessed with the coming of John Paul II Major Seminary which is a major step and the construction of Presbyteries which will facilitate the coming together of Diocesan priests making sure that priests stay and work together for the pastoral growth of the Diocese.  

Cameroon Concord: The media all over Europe and the United States of America have given you a pet name “The Preaching Bishop”. Are you aware that you have a pet name? If yes! What makes your Homilies special?

Bishop Nkea: [laughs] I only read it just like many other people do. But it goes back to my teaching days in the major Seminary-Bambui. I encouraged all the seminarians never to go to the pulpit without preparing. And once you prepare put it in writing. Even if you don`t look at the scripts, let it be in your pocket but you have to put it in writing. Preaching well and convincing too is not just a matter of getting up and start talking. Do not be too confident in yourself. Prepare and pen it and that is the secret.

Cameroon Concord: We understand that there is a Health Scheme going on which was started by the Roman Catholic Bishops. Can you give us an insight on how the scheme is operating?

Bishop Nkea: Yes, they called it a Health Scheme. But actually it is a Solidarity Scheme for health in which people put money together in order to help those who are sick. It is not like an insurance which is renewable by payments. The important point for the scheme is that Christians put money together as a community, and whoever gets sick is helped from that scheme. Therefore it is a solidarity scheme among Christians.

Cameroon Concord: We know that Mamfe Diocese hasn't got a major income generating activity. How do you intend to solve this difficult situation?

Bishop Nkea: [Optimistic] I believe like every true Cameroonian that the soil never fails, it never deceives anyone. Therefore am preparing to embark on a very serious aggressive agricultural projects which will become income generating activities for the Diocese. My action will not only be limited to the Diocese, it will engulf all parishes to embark on small agricultural schemes that will help generate income. In that way we can be working slowly towards self reliance. I assure all that in the near future Mamfe Diocese would have move forward to be able to generate income for itself.

Cameroon Concord: Your Lordship, making Mamfe Diocese “Something Beautiful for God” cannot be easy judging from the fact that you have to rely on goodwill gestures from Home and Abroad. How is your relationship with the Diaspora?

Bishop Nkea: I think that I am just one year old as Bishop and new in the Diocese. So you have to cultivate a relationship, you don`t just walk into a relationship. I am nursing and cultivating a relationship with the Diaspora. As it stands now, I can proudly say we are on the good footing. People in the Diaspora are working very hard and committed to helping their Diocese. One of my major task is to go round and sensitize the people that the Diocese belongs to them. Above all that is their ultimate end. There are many people who will understand it early, some will take time to understand, but we have to be patient. So far I can say I am very very proud of the Diaspora Christians of the Mamfe Diocese.

Cameroon Concord: Any Last word for our readers?

Bishop Nkea: My last word for Cameroon Concord readers is that going around the United States, I see a lot of division among cultural groups, alumni groups including church groups which are a real anti witness to the Gospel message. Let unity be the watch word, respect for one another, let love for one another be the guiding principle for all our Christians and even non Christians who are readers of Cameroon Concord.