A special thanks-giving mass for Bishop Aloysius Fondong Abangalo of the the Diocese of Mamfe, took place, Friday, July 8,2022, at the St. Peter and Paul University parish, Molyko-Buea.
This divine celebration of the gift of fullness of priesthood was initiated by His Lordship Michael Bibi, Bishop of Buea, where Msgr. Aloysius Fondong was ordained priest on 20th April 2006.
Monsignor Aloysius Fondong was appointed Bishop of Mamfe on 22nd April 2022 by Pope Francis and commissioned into office on May 5, 2002It should be recalled that when Msgr. Aloysius Fondong was appointed, the Diocese of Buea gave him a hero’s welcome.
Present at the special thanksgiving mass were His Lordship Immanuel Bushu, Bishop Emeritus of Buea and His Lordship Michael Bibi, Bishop of the Diocese of Buea; a college of priests, members of the Institutes of Consecrated Life, action and apostolic groups, social groups, Christians of the Diocese of Mamfe, local administrative officials, as well as well-wishers.
Given that many Christians didn’t travel to Mamfe ,last May 5, for his episcopal ordination of the Bishop Aloysius Fondong , he used his homily to thank the christians and the Bishop of Buea for the rare privilege given to him as the first Bishop from Buea to be invited back home for a thanksgiving Mass.
In giving thanks to God, Bishop Aloysius Fondong pointed out that “a genuine act of thanksgiving opens up new opportunities in our relationship with God” and urged
Christians to shun the attitude of being quick to pray but slow to praise.
The Mamfe Bishop acknowledged God’s abundant blessings and mercy in his life including the very demanding office of a chief shepherd.
He immensely thanked all those who contributed to his priestly formation- especially Bishop Pius Awa (now of blessed memory) who accepted him in 1996 as a seminarian, as a candidate for the priesthood and subsequently ordained him priest on April 20th, 2006.
He also praised Bishop Emeritus, Immanuel Bushu, whom he thanked for the many pastoral assignments given him during his years of service under him, particularly when they both shared the Bishop’s house for three years. Bishop Aloysius Fondong said Msgr Michael Bibi has been an elder brother since their seminary days, alluding to the enormous contribution of Bishop Bibi to his life.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Bishop Bibi praised the 72-year old Diocese of Buea for still having the strength to give birth to a bishop.
Bishop Bibi cautioned Msgr Aloysius Fondong to be ready to face challenges including smear campaign from his detractors.
Albert Njoh, former Principal of GBHS Muyuka, who attended the mass, told reporters that he was overjoyed that his former student chose the priesthood and is now Bishop of Mamfe .He wished him more success at the helm of the Dioces of Mamfe, especially with the on-going Anglophone crisis and its negative consequences on the church.
*Ndobe Sih Sylvia, Zakah Mbako Josepher and Billa Solomon are University of Buea journalism students on internship
