Cameroon: Reasons why Bafia bishop’s disappearance remains a mystery

A priest from the Yaounde Archdiocese has outlined four main points why the disappearance of the Bishop of Bafia remains a mystery, based on his knowledge of the man of God during their ten –month interaction in 2000.

Bishop Jean Marie Benoit Balla reportedly got missing two days ago, and was feared to have jumped into the Sanaga River when his car was spotted at the bridge with a note which read “I am under the water.”

It was against the backdrop of this suspected suicide that Constant Amombo made his outing. “I know and have worked with this man in 2000,” he began, specifying that the bishop was the rector and he was the housemaster Mvolye.

The ten months had left him with the image of “ a solid, strong, balanced, restrained and clear-headed man” who could not have acted likewise.

With the image and reflection of God that he claims to have seen in the man of God, the priest drew a skeptical conclusion sustained by four points:

1. “He is believed to have left the see at 11 p.m…But then his Lordship was bitterly against nocturnal outings;
2. “Does he need to cover 60km to commit suicide meanwhile apparently he had the right to own arms? He would have just entered his room and have a bullet on his head’
3. “His Lordship could swim, I guess. Would any good swimmer choose that path to take away their life?
4. “This kind of death is so dramatic. Furthermore, the message is light, childish and sounds like a Nollywood film,’I am under the water’”

The priest, using these four points coupled with faith of the bishop, concludes he remains in complete doubt. He wants the truth to be known.

However, he notes that the bishop is a human being and could have changed over time just like any other human.  “Well, it is true that men change and man is a mystery,” he observes.

In the meantime, the search continues and an investigation is underway .