One Month On: How Pope Leo XIV’s Cameroon Visit Changed the Conversation

Rev. Pastor Alfred Fuka Tofibam

Politicians hope the people can just hear words and forget within days, and as such, they can say pleasant words never intending to fulfill or actually take action. The Pope came and left. What did he say and what concrete steps are taken to bring about what he said? We must practice what we preach, and mean what we say! (Matt. 23)

We must do unto others as we would want done to us! Once again, The Golden Rule summarizes the entire Bible or the message of Jesus as follows in Matthew 7:12: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” This principle must take centre stage as we sort this egregious history of colonization and the church. We are reminded that God’s judgment is based upon acts of history—what people have done (Rev. 20:11-12). Hence, there is a Day of Reckoning coming (and it is here already!) that mankind will give an account of their actions (Eccl. 3:15; 12:14). 

In my previous article, “No Justice No Peace,” I raised a case against Christianity: The Pope decreed the doctrine of discovery that initiated and supported colonization; the Pope issued Papal Bulls that promoted slavery; Christianity stood by and even supported the partition and colonization of Africa (and now neo-colonization). I insisted that for real peace to reign, these historical evils must be corrected. I stated that: there will be “No Peace without Justice! No Justice without Reconciliation! No Reconciliation without Restitution or Reparations! Etc. And No Peace without Truth!

We must reckon truthfully with the past. The Pope received a red-carpet welcome in Yaounde, the government that is overseeing the destruction of the Southern Cameroons morally (many lives lost), economically, and otherwise. Did he initiate peace talks? Making blanket statements about how some leaders are using their power to wage war in front of the president of the Republic of Cameroon, who is doing exactly that in the Northwest and Southwest regions, without confronting him is hypocrisy! 

THE WAY FORWARD: NATIOANAL INTERGRETION, A MUST!

We need moral, psychological, and economic healing. The message of our Creator cuts across all political, religious, and moral backgrounds. We all need peace and justice. We need peace with the Creator, with one another, within our nation, continent, and the world.

THE CREATOR’S PATH FOR MANKIND

Golden Rule: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you,…”

The Two Great Commandments: Love your Creator and love your neighbour (any person other than yourself). Our love for the Creator is demonstrated by our love for neighbor! (John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:11-24; 4:20).

Vertical Reconciliation:

We must have peace with God through repentance and faith! No religion tolerates evil and wickedness! No government tolerates crime, evil, and wickedness (wrongdoing)! So we must refrain from that which is wrong and be in accord with the Creator and one another! 

Horizontal Reconciliation: The following commands from God are applicable in all cultures:  13 “You shall not murder. 14 “You shall not commit adultery. 15 “You shall not steal. 16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. (Exodus 20:13-17)

           Care for One Another

There is a need to recognize the universal brotherhood of man. In this light, we connect with the humanity in others, irrespective of the origin. The virtue of Alms is common across all cultures and religions, and brings out the humanity in us: let’s live for, and help each other, forgiving one another. We must maintain unity in diversity, because all humankind is from one source (Acts 17:26). We are gifted differently, but function as one Body (1 Cor. 12; John 17). 

        DISTINCT BUT UNITED! 

There are several levels of inter-personal dynamics: marriage, family, clan, village, tribe, inter-tribe, extended tribal groups (e.g. Tikar, Tikar-Bantu, Bantu, Nilotic, Fulani, etc.), region, linguistic groups, culture (dress and dance), national language (French & English), nation, economic block, Africa, and the World. How can we be united, but also keep our rich cultural identities? What part does religion and spirituality play in this? What part does the constitution play? We need a unity that maintains our distinctive cultures, identity, and individuality. I believe this is possible, but takes work and sacrifice. 

         INWARD REFLECTION

Let us look at ourselves besides the colonialists. What is our standard of morality, right and wrong; justice, and criminality? We must face ills like partiality, favoritism, nepotism, tribalism and tribal mentality, selfishness, egomania, pride and arrogance. What does God require of us? 9 “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. 10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’ (Zechariah 7:9-10).

What transcends us all that can unite us?

Consider very well the Golden Rule and Love for your neighbor (1 Cor. 13). Would you even dare to follow Jesus’ example of loving your enemy!

And even to forgive your enemies! We MUST pursue peace, harmony, fairness, equity, and virtue. We must NOT be in bed with the colonizer! Sacrifice is demanded!

Many talk but don’t want to sacrifice! They sit in the shadows and sacrifice others! No sacrifice, No freedom!

 

REAL TALK: We need to set up committees to discuss injustice, atrocities committed, IDPs, healing from war trauma, torture, ransom, confiscation of property, etc. 

PRACTICAL STEPS: I will propose for us to form forums to discuss, table suggestions and opinion polls, etc., to seek solutions for healing ourselves, families, tribes, nations, and the world. It starts with individuals ready to sacrifice just as The Son of Man did.  

PEACE AND SAFETY FOR ALL! 

Rev. Pastor Alfred Fuka Tofibam

BTH, MDIV