...:: OUT OF AFRICA ::... News Bulletin of the Fransalians in Africa

Vol. III (2006-2007)

News from the Western side of this continent

Fransalians accept New Missions in Central Cameroon

Fr. Thomas Cherukat msfs

It was in November 1999 that the Missionaries of Saint Francis de Sales from the South-West Province in India started the Chad-Cameroon Mission in West-Central Africa. During the past seven years of its existence the Mission has registered steady growth and expansion. The Bero Mission in the diocese of Doba in South Chad is certainly the most challenging mission of the Fransalians. Since the year 2002 the Fransalians are also engaged in a variety of ministries in North Cameroon chiefly in the three parishes of Bini-Dang, Berem and Mbe-Karna in the diocese of Ngaoundéré. The Fransalians in Chad as well as in North Cameroon render their services chiefly to the rural population most of whom are exposed to extreme poverty and underdevelopment. The Fransalians at Ngaoundéré are also engaged in ministering to a very large student community at the University of Ngaoundéré.

Strong, Committed and Determined for Jesus...
Our confreres in Chad-Cameroon missions

FRANSALIANS IN CENTRAL CAMEROON

The first ever community of the Fransalians in Cameroon was established in the year 2001 at Yaoundé, the capital city. Yaoundé, with a population of around 2 million is also the headquarters of the Central Province of Cameroon which has a very large catholic population. The city also offers excellent opportunities for the formation of the future missionaries. The Catholic University of Central Africa and a number of other Institutes of Theology and Philosophy are located in and around the city. At present there are 11 young Fransalians in Yaoundé undergoing formation in theology and philosophy. The construction of a Fransalian Scholasticate is nearing completion at Ngoya in the diocese of Obala, just 15 kms outside Yaoundé.

The Chapel at Nkong-Messa:
one of the substations of Ekekam

EKOUMDOUM AND EKEKAM III

Responding to the invitation of the Local Bishops, the Fransalians have recently accepted two new Missions in the Central Province of Cameroon. The newly created parish of EKOUMDOUM in a fast developing suburb of Yaounde was entrusted to the Fransalians by the Archbishop of Yaoundé in the month of October 2005. on 30th October 2005 Fr. Joshy Nellimalamattam and Fr. Gerogekutty Puthiyidom were installed as Parish Priest and Assistant respectively. The parish is dedicated to Saint Josephine Bakhita and has a catholic population of about 5000 members.

Dedicated for God and His people!





The Fransalians accepted a second mission in the Central Province when the newly created Parish of Ekekam III also known as Ozom in the diocese of Obala was offered to them by the Bishop of Obala. The Parish is placed under the patronage of Saint Francis de Sales. The Ekekam Mission is in the interior of the diocese and quite inaccessible during the rainy season. Fr. Martin Richard was installed as the first Parish Priest on 30 April 2006 (photo below). The catholic population of the new mission is estimated at around 2000 members. Both these new Missions – Ekoumdoum and Ekekam – offer formidable challenges to the missionaries in terms of pastoral service, education, health-care and developmental works.

The Chad-Cameroon Mission of the Fransalians has at present 20 members consisting of     8 priests and 12 scholastics of whom three are Cameroonians. The Mission has also 1 novice and 1 pre-novice hailing from Cameroon. Two more scholastics from India are expected to join this mission in February 2007. The Mission eagerly looks forward to many more Fransalians – priests and scholastics from India and Africa - to join this new mission in the years to come.

Fr. Thomas Cherukat MSFS, Mission Superior, Yaoundé, Cameroon