Tensions are escalating between the Catholic Church and traditional African communities over the integration of local customs into religious practices. Some African communities, particularly in Cameroon, have accused the Church of disrespecting their cultures under the guise of inculturation (adapting Christianity to local customs). This has sparked a debate on balancing cultural respect with the Read more
Catholic inculturation in Cameroon must stop. This is the firm advice given to the Bishop of Kumbo in Cameroon. The Nso Cultural and Development Association (NSODA) has written a strongly worded letter warning the Catholic Church against adulterating their culture “in the guise of inculturation”. The Nso is one of the largest clans in Cameroon’s Read more
Cardinal Robert Sarah, former Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, urged African bishops to defend the unity of faith amidst what he perceives as Western “errors”. In his address at the Episcopal Conference of Cameroon on April 9, Cardinal Sarah (pictured) emphasised the pivotal role of the African Read more
The Republic of Cameroon’s government has approved the traditional medicine recipes a Catholic archbishop developed to help treat COVID-19 patients. The archbishop says they help save ‘even people on respirators’. The Republic’s Public Health Ministry authorised sales of Archbishop Samuel Kleda’s medicinal recipes as an “adjuvant” or supplementary aid to fighting COVID-19 infections. “This is Read more
“We have defeated COVID-19 in Cameroon.” Archbishop Samuel Kleda of Douala made the announcement on September 10 during a press briefing in which he claimed that the herbal potion he concocted several months ago had saved several thousand people from the disease. The 61-year-old prelate, who has headed the Atlantic coastal archdiocese since 2009, has Read more
A new mass abduction of students from a school in the English-speaking area of Cameroon has been carried out by guerrillas demanding independence from the rest of the country. On 16 February, unidentified gunmen came into the campus of Saint Augustine’s College, in the northwest region, and 170 students, two college security guards, one teacher Read more
About 13 Catholic nuns who had been abducted in Cameroon were later released by their captors. The nuns were abducted last week when they were travelling through the country. None of them knew their captors. They spent the day and night with their abductors as negotiations went on for their release. They were released the Read more
The Anglophone crisis in Cameroon can be resolved only by the Catholic Church, says one of the world’s leading conflict-resolution organisations. Noting the Church is the largest religious group in the country, the International Crisis Group says there are few alternative prospective peacemakers. They say if the peacemaker role is not filled, the Anglophone separatist Read more
Cameroon needs the Catholic Church to help broker peace, says the International Crisis Group. It could help break the stalemate between separatists and security forces, the Group says. “Other than the Catholic clergy, there are few prospective peacemakers.” Read more