Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mimi Mefo Info
Published on 2024-03-19 16:27:53
In a statement published on social media, Archbishop Jean Mbarga of Yaoundé asserts that he is taking care of his predecessor Victor Tonye Bakot, in accordance with canon law.
Archbishop Jean Mbarga of Yaoundé swears he is a good Samaritan. Accused of failing in his duty of charity and justice towards Victor Tonye Bakot, former Archbishop of Yaoundé, the Metropolitan of Yaoundé swears before God and men that he is a victim of false testimonies. “According to ecclesiastical and canonical directives, since 2013, Archbishop Victor Tonye Bakot has been receiving a pension and substantial support in line with his status as Archbishop Emeritus. External support also exists to meet his needs. He manages it autonomously. Despite the burden of the heavy inherited past and various challenges, the Diocese carefully looks after him,” reads a statement published by the archdiocese on social media.
The statement responds to accusations contained in a letter from Shanda Tomne published in early March. In this release entitled “exceptional Christian appeal,” addressed to both the Archbishop of Yaoundé and the president of the episcopal conference, Shanda Tomne writes: “for your active charity in faith, your kindness and compassion. In favor of our brother, our shepherd and our friend, His Excellency Archbishop Emeritus Victor Tonye Bakot… A great suffering presents itself to us, and a great challenge arises. It is within the Roman Catholic Church in Cameroon. For all Christians, for citizens committed to love, sharing, and the truth of the well-being of all and each, sensitivity to the problem of existence is a constant challenge that conditions their view of society, the world’s progress, and the destiny of generations. The strength of their trust in divine justice depends on it. And if we lose the sense of solidarity and compassion to the point of letting our shepherds suffer and perish in poverty and extreme need, then all ministries of faith will lose their meaning, just as within families and all institutions, symbols will give way to profanations,” writes the former legal affairs manager within the archdiocese of Yaoundé.
“I come here to beg of you, to ask for forgiveness and compassion for our brother and shepherd, Monsignor Victor Tonye Bakot, Archbishop emeritus of the archdiocese of Yaoundé. Make sure he continues to show joy in living, to pray and profess his faith, and ensure that those who meet him hold him in love, respect, consideration, and dignity. Let no one condemn or be condemned for some past or present service. We are all fallible, we are all mortal. Only God has the right judgment. Thank you, Monsignor, for releasing me from this pain. I have only done my duty, just my duty,” he adds.
Jean Mbarga denounces “defamatory remarks aimed at discrediting the Archdiocese of Yaoundé regarding its duty of charity and distributive justice towards Monsignor Victor Tonye Bakot, Archbishop Emeritus of Yaoundé.”
Joseph Essama
Read the original article(French) on Mimi Mefo Info
