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Pope Francis will visit Kenya in November, the Vatican said on Thursday, a country where Christians have recently been targeted by Islamist militants. In June, the Holy Father told a gathering of priests from around the world that he wanted to go to Kenya as part of his first papal trip to Africa but that the visit was "uncertain" because there were "organizational problems".
Francis did not explain further what these problems were, but was speaking two months after Somalia-based Al Shabaab Islamist militants targeted Christians during a shooting at a Kenyan university in which 148 students were killed. The pontiff will go to Kenya on Nov. 25, before traveling to Uganda on Nov. 27 and arriving in the Central African Republic, the final stop on the trip, on Nov. 29.
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- Ngwa Bertrand
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The outstanding success of Catholic mission schools in certificate examinations in Cameroon over the years is no longer news. Students from these schools in both the Francophone and Anglophone sub-systems of education have always stood out in certificate examinations because the emphasis of school managers is not only on training the intellect, but also the souls of students. It is therefore no surprise that in the Francophone educational system, the difference in examination performance is so clear because apart from the Roman Catholic Mission colleges, no other does that well.
And so College de la Retraite, Yaounde, College Vogt, Yaounde, College Jean Tabi, Yaounde and College Liberman in Douala, have succeeded in keeping the topmost positions in Baccalaureat, Probatoire and BEPC certificate examinations over the years. In the Anglophone sub-system, Catholic schools like Sacred Heart College, Mankon-Bamenda, St Augustine’s College, Kumbo, St Paul’s High School, Bamenda, Queen of the Rosary College, Okoyong, Our Lady of Lourdes College, Mankon-Bamenda, St Bedes College, Ashing-Kom, St Joseph’s College, Sasse-Buea, Bishop Rogan Minor Seminary Buea, etc, have become household names in General Certificate of Education (GCE) examinations halls of fame. However, the dominance is not as overwhelming as in the Francophone sub-system as other denominational colleges also do well. Discipline in Catholic colleges is not only strict, but backed up by spiritual and moral coaching.
These schools have priests or chaplains whose role is to teach, counsel and provide students with spiritual guidance. These spiritual leaders also help students to know God and may carry out deliverance for cases of demonic possession. The fact that some of these colleges are led by priests is a plus; given the spiritual and moral authority they carry. On the other hand, moral instruction is given priority; often with certain hours on the official timetable devoted to such lessons. Teachers are therefore not just ready to pass on knowledge, but to also teach character and the fear of God.
Another distinguishing characteristic about Catholic secondary education is the opportunity given to students from varying and contrasting backgrounds to live together in dormitories. Such a practice enables students to learn to appreciate each other’s cultural, religious and family backgrounds and differences. In effect, college dormitories serve as preparatory grounds for eventual life in society when the students grow up. For this reason, it is no surprise that some of the country’s best brains today in different professional fields are those who passed through Catholic mission schools.
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- Ngwa Bertrand
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The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC), the Rt Rev Fonki Samuel Forba has condemned in very strong words the corruption practices that has rocked the Cameroonian society. The Rt. Rev Fonki was speaking as he inducted the Presbyterial Secretary of the East Mungo North Presbytery of the PCC and Pastor of the Presbyterian Church Bastos, Rev Emmanuel Basam Masok. Rev Masok Emmanuel was inducted on Sunday 6th September 2015 at the Presbyterian Church Bastos in Yaounde. During the sermon, just before the induction proper, the Moderator of the PCC with inspiration drawn from John 9:1-7, 13-17 and 32-39, focused on blind spots in the life of Christians.
The Rt Rev Fonki Samuel decried malpractices especially corruption and other societal ills. He called on Presbyterians to spearhead prayers for the nation and be the light of the world and transformed transformers. The Moderator called on the new Prebyterial Secretary to boldly preach the word and fear no one as he leads the people. As for the Christians of the Presbytery, the PCC head exhorted them to pray for their new leader. Two former Moderators, the Very Rev Nyasako Ni-ku and the Very Rev Festus Asana were present during the induction ceremony alongside the present Synod Clerk, Rev Fochang George Babila.
The service was attended by a college of Pastors of the PCC, Members of Government and the Christian community. Choral singing by several English and traditional choirs and heavy joyful feasting highlighted the ceremony. The event coincided with the weekend of the Rt Rev Fonki Samuel’s homecoming after his institution as Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon in March 2015.
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- Ngwa Bertrand
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In Cameroon, the rise of Christian revivalist (born again) and Muslim fundamentalist movements is rapidly changing the religious landscape and paving the way for religious intolerance, revealed the International Crisis Group. Fundamentalist groups’ emergence, combined with communal tensions, creates a specific risk in the North and increases competition for leadership of the Muslim community: such competition has already led to local conflicts.
Moreover, the various religious groups have negative perceptions of each other. The state and the mainstream religious organisations’ response to the emerging radicalism is limited to the Boko Haram threat and therefore inadequate, and in some cases carries risk. A coherent and comprehensive response has to be implemented by the government and religious organisations to preserve religious tolerance and to avoid the kind of religious violence seen in neighbouring Nigeria and the Central African Republic.
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- Ngwa Bertrand
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A Kentucky county clerk was jailed on Thursday for refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples, but a full day of court hearings failed to put an end to her two-month-old legal fight over a U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding same-sex marriage.
U.S. District Judge David Bunning found Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis in contempt then elicited a pledge from five of her six deputies to issue the licenses. But attorneys for Davis said she would deny them that authority, raising questions about the validity of any licenses they might issue.
The 49-year-old woman, who has emerged as a darling of social conservatives, has refused to issue licenses to any couples, gay or straight, since the U.S. Supreme Court in June ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry under the U.S. Constitution, citing her beliefs as an Apostolic Christian.
Bunning warned the deputies they would be back in court if they refused to resume issuing licenses on Friday. "I would hate to have to come back to Ashland," he said, referring to the court venue. He said it would be up to same-sex couples to decide whether to test the validity of the licenses.
Davis, who broke down crying, was led away by U.S. marshals after the first hearing where she was held in contempt and then ordered jailed by Bunning. She did not attend the subsequent hearings, but communicated through her attorneys.
Thursday's proceedings were the culmination of months of legal wrangling and refusals to abide by a judge's order to do her job that had drawn national attention from those both for and against gay marriage rights.
"Marriage is a union between one man and one woman," the soft-spoken Davis told the court under questioning by her attorney.
WHITE HOUSE BACKS JUDGE
White House spokesman Josh Earnest on Thursday said it was "appropriate" for a federal judge to resolve the matter.
"No public official is above the rule of law, certainly not president of the United States, but neither is the Rowan county clerk," he said.
But Davis' jailing drew instant criticism from her supporters with Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee tweeting, "Kim Davis in federal custody removes all doubts about the criminalization of Christianity in this country."
Christian lobbying group Family Research Council said religious freedom in the United States was under attack and urged Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear to call for a special session of the state legislature to alter the law to accommodate clerks like Davis.
A spokesman for the governor did not have an immediate comment, but the governor had said calling a special session would be too costly.
Another Republican presidential candidate, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, told MSNBC before the ruling that Davis had to abide by the Supreme Court ruling.
Before and during the hearing, about 200 demonstrators on both sides of the issue gathered outside the Ashland, Kentucky, courthouse, some chanting slogans and many holding signs. As word of the ruling emerged, supporters of same-sex marriage erupted in cheers
DUELING DEMONSTRATIONS
Some demonstrators chanted slogans like "God is great" or "Do your job," and many held signs or flags like the rainbow flag that is a symbol for gay rights.
Warren Howard of Ashland said he wanted Davis to do her job or quit.
"Seems like every time something backwards happens, Kentucky's on the sides of the backwardness," he said. "And the thing about it is, it's not true. Most of the people I speak to realize this shouldn't have went on for as long as it has."
More people came out in support of Davis. One man held a sign saying, "Don't make a moral wrong, a civil right."
Theresa Craig from nearby Carter County, Kentucky, said the courts were a disgrace for not backing Davis.
In court, Davis thanked the judge before walking toward the marshals to be taken away. She told Fox News earlier she was ready to go to jail for her beliefs.
"I've weighed the cost and I'm prepared to go to jail," Davis told Fox in an interview published on Thursday. "This has never been a gay or lesbian issue for me. This is about upholding the word of God."
Apostolic Christian beliefs are rooted in a literal interpretation of the Bible.
A Democrat, Davis earns about $80,000 a year in the elected office, according to state officials. In explaining his decision to jail her, Bunning said he did not think a fine would be effective.
Davis is being legally represented at no cost by Liberty Counsel, a Florida-based Christian religious advocacy organization.
Also testifying on Thursday was April Miller, who along with her partner Karen Jacobs, had three times tried to get a marriage license from Davis' office. They were one of four couples who sued Davis in July.
Source:Reuters
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- Ngwa Bertrand
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The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, the Rt. Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba will perform an induction ritual on the pastor of the Presbyterian Church Bastos, Yaounde on Sunday, the 6th of September 2015. The Moderator is expected to commission Rev. Emmanuel Basam Masok as the Parish Pastor of the East Mungo North Presbytery, Centre Region.
Cameroon Concord understands Rev. Masok (seen here) also moonlights as the Presbyterial Secretary of the East Mungo North Presbytery. We will bring you details of this very important ceremony in Yaounde, the nation's capital.
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- Ngwa Bertrand
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