Papal Visit:What Impact On The Regime and The Immorality Of Some Clergymen?

By Neba-Fuh

The polemics surrounding the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to The Cameroons  is not without reasons. If one views the Roman Catholic Church as a religious body with an authoritative moral standing, then it is obvious that her leader-the Pope, has the right to visit his followers  anywhere and at anytime of his choosing.

On the other hand, if one views the Vatican City as a sovereign state with a leader or ruler, then  it is diplomatically unquestionable for its leader being the Pope to pay  a visit to The Cameroons, at any agreed time. In the latter case, the Vatican cannot disentangle itself from all the political attributes-be it virtuous or vicious that go with any sovereign state.

Therefore, the impact of the visit of a Pope to the impoverished Cameroonian people  can only be significant if the church and its leaders have the moral substance to use  religious or political arenas to chastise eternal despots. The million dollar question is: Do the leaders of the Church possess that mantle of spirituality and the stamina of morality that can influence the immoral ploys of a dictator, like Mr Biya? How does Jesus's teaching on "not attempting to remove a speck on someone's eye when you have a log in yours" come into context?

The very vices that infested the Cameroonian society -corruption, tribalism, nepotism and moral decadence, have cropped up in the microcosm of the Catholic institution.
The once respected moral authority of the society- the church-  has been invaded by people who make no difference between a 'vocation' and a 'profession'.

Yes,  of course if the biblical teaching that "none is righteous" is anything to go by,  then we all fall short of that bar of true morality.
A priest or myself is not expected to be as righteous as The Christ. 
But, a priest who voluntarily  chose to shepherd Christ's flock, has spent many years in a seminary presumably being  formed in a seclusive environment, with strict rules, is expected to know better how to identify the ugly enticement of the 'evil one' and wade it faster than a novice. Even if by some Adam's curse of weakness of the flesh, he falters, he should be able to get up faster, so as to continue leading the people who desperately look up to him. As a religious public figure, there is no other better way of teaching your followers than being exemplary.

Today, we find a Cameroonian society made of men who have come into the sacred corps of the Priesthood with no intention whatsoever to imitate Christ or strive daily to live by his teachings and that of the Church. By their lifestyles, they have reduced 'the vocation' to 'a profession'. Some are deliberately leading lives of perpetual sexual sin, allowing their carnal desires to take precedence over their spiritual lives.  They have spoiled the good name of those priests who try to live by the vows they took on their ordination day and get up immediately they fall into temptation.

What lessons can an already morally impoverished society learn from a bishop or priest who fathers children haphazardly in his community?
What lessons can that society learn from a priest who has numerous 'girlfriends' in his community, under the excuse that he is only as human as everybody else?
Or sponsored a girlfriend's trip abroad, away from his community, so she can bear him kids, and when he takes his vacation or study leave, he's welcome abroad by 'his wife' and 'children'?
Or a Principal of a school,who is a priest, who embezzles school money through fake bills and accounting?
Or priests that have become predators to vulnerable children put at their disposal?
Or priests that  indulge in homosexual acts?   

Two times before, Late Pope John Paul II  visited The Cameroons and the effect on the already impoverished populace  was nothing more than a religious euphoria at the expense of their personal financial contributions and  the public treasury. The unanswered questions of the Biya's repressive acts were still unanswered. This time even if Pope Benedict XVI's impact will not be enough to reverse the  plunge into political abyss performed by Mr Biya courtesy of his repressive rule, let him take time off to caution and reprimand his numerous priests who have not graduated from post-seminary carnal exuberance, many years after becoming 'priests'. This is a sphere his impact can be felt.

And for those bishops and priests who have continued to live by their vows or bounce back to moral sanity immediately they fall into temptation, you are recommended  for leading your flock in the way Christ wanted you to.

Comments

[Enongene]

Many Fathers are now 'fathers'. Ha ha ha!!!
Most of them boost of the number of girl friends they have, instead of how many new christians they have brought into their congregations.

Let the Vatican do something about this issue of priests getting married. The flesh is always weak.

[Enongene]

Many Fathers are now 'fathers'. Ha ha ha!!!
Most of them boast of the number of girl friends they have, instead of how many new christians they have brought into their congregations.

Let the Vatican do something about this issue of priests getting married. The flesh is always weak.

[Osakwe]

it is indeed true that the flesh is weak even when the spirit is willing but it would be heart breaking if these stories are true. However,we have to pray for them to repent from their ways.