By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Dame Sarah Mullally, has said she is bringing with her the prayers of the global Anglican Communion as she visits Cameroon. Archbishop Mullally made the statement shortly after landing at Nsimalen International Airport in Yaoundé for a five-day pastoral visit to the country. Her first stop on the African tour was in Ghana.
On her arrival, she was received by Paul Atanga Nji, Minister for Territorial Administration; Bishop Dibo Thomas-Babyngton Elango, Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Cameroon and Dean of the Internal Province of West Africa; and clergy, along with members of the Mothers’ Union, among others.
“It is a joy to be visiting Cameroon,” Archbishop Mullally said. “I come as a pastor and shepherd to be alongside the Anglican faithful, and assure them they are not forgotten.”
She added: “I bring with me the prayers of our global Anglican family. I look forward to being alongside our beloved brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Cameroon—to accompany them, encourage them, and hear about their lives in this land.”
Archbishop Mullally further said: “In a time of terrible conflicts around the world, and suffering here in Cameroon, I come with the message of the Gospel. This is always a message of peace. It is always about the infinite value of every person made in God’s image. And it is always about the hope we have in Christ—who rose from the dead to bring us new life.”
She also used the occasion to invite Anglicans around the world to pray “for the Church here and for the people of Cameroon.” “May these coming days be a blessing and encouragement to us all—and renew our commitment to be bearers of the good news we have in Jesus Christ.”
During her stay in Cameroon, Archbishop Sarah Mullally will meet and worship with Anglicans in Douala and Yaoundé, and visit Limbe and Buea in the South West Region. She will be joined by the Anglican Bishop of Cameroon, Rt Revd Dibo Thomas-Babyngton Elango.
She will visit the Biaka Foundation in Buea before meeting local Anglican clergy in Limbe. On Sunday, 2 August, she will preach at a welcome service of Holy Communion at Bishopscourt in Douala, before visiting the city’s Anglican cathedral and a local parish.
On Monday, the Archbishop will visit Ste Thérèse, Yeug’assi, on the outskirts of Yaoundé, before paying a courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Cameroon. She will also meet with clergy of different denominations in Cameroon.
Her visit will conclude on Tuesday August 4 with a farewell Eucharist at St John’s Anglican Church in Yaoundé, followed by a courtesy call on the President’s Office.
