Bishop George Nkuo of Cameroon’s Catholic Diocese of Kumbo, has condemned “in the strongest terms” the killing of innocent civilians during an attack on Nkambe town and the disruption of Holy Mass at Christ the King Jakiri Parish in his diocese.
On February 11, 2024, during the celebration of Cameroon’s National Youth Day, at least one person died and dozens injured in an explosion in Nkambe, per reports.
Bishop Nkuo narrated the attack in a statement, saying, “On the day of the disruption an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was detonated at the Nkambe ceremonial grounds where youths were gathered to celebrate the National Youth Day, leaving one person dead and many injured.”
“We strongly condemn and denounce any form of violence perpetrated during public and spiritual gatherings and within the sacred spaces of Churches and Hospitals,” the Catholic Bishop said in the Wednesday, February 14 statement shared with sources.
He added, “We condemn in the strongest terms this heinous and senseless attack on innocent civilians during the Youth Day celebration in Nkambe.”
The Bishop said the violence meted out on innocent people “shatters the very core of our moral fabric and calls for our collective condemnation.” He also added that the disruption of and the harassment of Christians participating in the Eucharistic celebration “not only violate the sanctity of these institutions but also undermine the values of compassion, empathy, and respect that lie at the core of our faith.”
“The Mass is a sacred and solemn occasion where the faithful gather to worship, seek spiritual nourishment, and strengthen their relationship with God. Such disruptions not only disrespect the sanctity of the Mass but also infringe upon the rights and freedom of religious expression,” Bishop Nkuo said, adding that God’s house “should be a haven of peace, where all can come together in reverence and unity.”
He continued by saying, “According to International Humanitarian Law, places of worship and other religious sites should be sanctuaries where worshippers feel safe to practice their faith, sanctuaries of peace, healing, and solace for all individuals seeking comfort and divine intervention.”
In the statement, the Catholic Church leader also said that Cameroonians need to “stand united against this brutality and affirm our commitment to peace, justice, and compassion.”
“We must stand together in denouncing such atrocities and demand that every child be granted the right to live in safety, peace, and dignity”, he added.
The Bishop also condoled with the family of Cherish Lemnyuy, the University student who lost her life in Nkambe, and prayed for the peaceful repose of her soul. He also appealed for “prayers, love, and support” towards those affected by the attacks.
The Bishop of Kumbo Diocese said armed groups perpetrating violence against civilians need to “reflect upon their actions and give the population the much-desired freedom to go about their spiritual and other activities unhindered.”
“We once more make a strong appeal to the known warring parties to give peace a chance by using all the means and opportunities available through sincere dialogue to bring an end to this crisis that is long overdue. Let us pray for the victims and their loved ones, offering solace, support, and strength during this difficult time,” Bishop Nkuo said.
Cameroon’s English-speaking regions plunged into conflict since 2016, following a protest by lawyers and teachers turned violent.
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