Father Ghenghan B. Mbinkar, a Cameroonian priest from the Diocese
of Kumbo, has been living in the Arlington diocese since 2014. As with other
priests from around the world, Father Mbinkar came to the Washington area to
study, and found a home in Northern Virginia. While working toward a doctorate
in canon law at The Catholic University of America in Washington, he’s also
serving as chaplain for local Cameroonian Catholics who worship each month at
St. Mark Church in Vienna. Now, two more Cameroonians are joining him stateside.
This fall, the Arlington diocese welcomed 11 new seminarians,
including two from Cameroon: Christian Nyuykonge and John Fimmuchime. “This is
really an exciting experience,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, announcing the
news on his “Walk Humbly Podcast” last month. Kumbo Bishop George Nkuo and
Bishop Burbidge agreed that Arlington would sponsor two Cameroonian seminarians
for their last four years of seminary formation. After their ordination, the
men will serve for four years in the Arlington diocese before returning home.
Both Nyuykonge and Fimmuchime, who are studying at Mount St.
Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., were surprised when they learned they’d be
leaving Cameroon for the U.S. “It was (scary) to me because I hadn’t been in
the U.S before and had no clue (about) the culture here,” said Nyuykonge. “But
I remember vividly that I told (my bishop) through the phone that evening that
if that was the will of God and will of the church for me at this time, I
(would) be happy to obey it.”
The Diocese of Kumbo and Cameroon in general is suffering in many
ways, said Father Mbinkar. Cameroon is in the midst of a civil war between the
ruling French-speaking majority and the English-speaking minority. Kumbo is in
the English-speaking region, and has been greatly impacted. “It’s the area that
is hardest hit because being in the remote area, the rural area, that’s where
the fighters all hide so the soldiers come in their armored cars and spray
bullets everywhere,” he said. “The church is the only source of hope for the
people now with the help of other organizations that send aid to displaced
people.”
People are often caught in the middle between the two warring
factions, Nyuykonge said. “People in the diocese are in a dilemma because if
you associate with the military, the separatist fighters will consider you as a
traitor and your life is at risk. And if you happen to cooperate with the
separatist fighters, the military will consider you a traitor and the result
for both camps will be the taking away of life,” he said.
Ministry is very difficult, said Fimmuchime. “Many parishes are
inaccessible because of the road blockages and the presence of many control
posts both of the separatist fighters and the Cameroon military,” he said.
“Priests cover long distances, trekking from one mission church to another. One
of the greatest aspects of pastoral ministry now is feeding the internally
displaced. Most of these people who have been rendered homeless find refuge in
the (diocesan) Pastoral Centre and the bishop works daily for their upkeep.”
The political instability also has led to great danger. “Priests,
seminarians, religious and even the lay faithful are frequently being kidnapped
and huge sums of money are demanded by the separatist fighters before they are
released. I was a one-time victim,” said Fimmuchime. “My bishop was asked to
pay a sum of 450,000 francs. I was fortunate to escape, and the money was not
paid although my books and (clothes) remained with them.”
Though life is difficult in Cameroon, Nyuykonge said he misses
his family and seminary classmates, and the traditional dish fufu corn and
huckleberry. But he’s excited to become a priest. “I also look forward to being
a happy priest, serving wherever I am called to serve by the bishop and being
able to bring the joy I have always longed for to the people I will minister
to,” he said.
Fimmuchime echoed that willingness to serve and requested prayers
for the people of Cameroon. “I wish that the Diocese of Arlington should join
the Diocese of Kumbo in saying the prayer for peace by St. Francis of Assisi.
This prayer is said every day in all mission churches in the Diocese of Kumbo
after Mass,” he said. “I wish that Masses be said for the innocent souls lost
throughout these five years and for the families displaced.”
