Cameroon: Bishop of Buea bans predecessor from celebrating public Masses

Bishop of the Diocese of Buea , Cameroon, Most Rev. Michael Miabesue Bibi has banned his predecessor, Bishop Emeritus Emmanuel B. Bushu from celebrating Holy Mass in public within the Cameroonian Episcopal See without his explicit permission.

The ban conveyed in a letter dated November 22, 2023, shared with Catholic Trends outlined two specific prohibitions imposed on Bishop Bushu.

The first prohibition outlined that Bishop Bushu is no longer permitted to concelebrate with Bishop Bibi on any Diocesan Liturgical celebration until further notice.

In the second prohibition, Bishop Bibi, who has been overseeing the Buea Diocese since December 2019 as Apostolic Administrator and later as the official Bishop from February 2021, explicitly bars Bishop Bushu from celebrating or concelebrating any public Mass in any Parish within the Diocese of Buea without explicit permission.

Bishop Bibi cited “deep opposition and interference” as primary reasons behind these restrictive measures.

“I have watched your opposition and interference in my administration for three years now, including, but not limited to your trips to the Nunciature and to Rome against my decisions over certain important sectors of the Diocese,” the statement said.

“The present state of affairs indicates a total absence of communion between us, which makes you ready to align yourself with persons and groups that seek to bring down my administration. In order to protect this administration therefore, I am compelled to take the following decisions;

1. That you shall no longer be allowed to concelebrate with me on any Diocesan Liturgical celebration until further notice.

2. That you shall not celebrate or concelebrate any public Mass in any Parish in the Diocese of Buea, without an explicit permission from me,” the statement added.