To all the faithful and all men and women of goodwill
Dear beloved people of God,
May the peace of God be with you!
1. Our pastoral mission as Bishops of Cameroon has led us in the past to speak to you, People of God, men and women of goodwill, for the welfare of the citizens and the interest of our nation, each time our country found itself at a decisive turning point of its history. • Already in 1995, the Apostolic Vicars sent a letter to the faithful of Christ on the political situation at that moment.
• In 1959, the Bishops wrote to the citizens about the independence of Cameroon.
• In 1988, we wrote a Pastoral Letter on the commitment of the laity in the life of the nation. We reminded you of the fact that a “well-conducted political activity is a concrete and high form of justice and charity (n° 10)”. For this the laity must engage with love for God and love for men in a spirit of service and generosity for the good of all. In fact, “an authentic democracy, which respects pluralism, is one of the principal routes which the Church travels together with the people. The lay Christian, engaged in the democratic struggle according to the Spirit of the Gospel, is the sign of a Church which participates in the promotion of the rule of the law everywhere in Africa”. (Ecclesia in Africa. N° 112).
• In 1990 the Pastoral Letter of the Bishops on the economic crisis plaguing the country urged you to mobilise against the crisis through hard work, solidarity and reconciliation.
• In 2004, the Letter of the Bishops of Cameroon to all the faithful and all the citizens of goodwill on the “Right and Duty to vote” called your attention to the necessity of involving all citizens in elections as it is expected in a democracy.
Recent Comments