Synod of the Catholic church opens in Yaounde

A Pontifical Mass was held by Bishop Jean Mbarga at the Our Lady of Victories Cathedral in Yaounde on Sunday in the presence of the Personal Representative of the Head of State.

Many people had gathered at the Cathedral of Our Lady of victories because of the Synodal Assembly which brought together 200 delegates, clergy, laity, communities and various religious denominations, to mark the final stage of the synod process.

It is in this spirit that the Pontifical Mass to start the proceedings of the meeting was held by Bishop Jean Mbarga, and in attendance was the personal representative of the Head of State, Laurent Esso, Minister of State for Justice, Keeper of the Seals.

In a surge, the faithfuls have come to entrust their work to God because his love unites those who let themselves be loved. "This is a day of grace for those who walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, because it is he who inspires all wisdom. Without it, nothing is possible. We pray that our delegates be inspired by the Holy Spirit in the course of our church," said Elisabeth Ngah, a Christian.

Before the opening prayer, the Eucharist set the scene with the Litany of the Saints. "It is an event that requires of us a maximum concentration with acute ecclesial conscience. For it is to define the guidelines that will mark the life of the Church in Yaoundé and even beyond," Bishop Jean Mbarga said.

It is in this perspective that he invoked the Holy Spirit in his homily inspired by the Book of Wisdom and the Gospel of St. Mark, so that the Assembly can deliberate in all wisdom and all for the greater good of the Church.

The Metropolitan Archbishop made this appeal: "We invite all the faithful to make more effort in prayer and sacrifices required to accompany each other in this process. So that by Christmas we can conclude this work with great happiness. Work hard to bring our diocese back on a growth path."

To carry out this work, a lighted candle and the Instrumentum laboris (working document) were presented to Archbishop Jean Mbarga by the Preparatory Commission. Two tools he deposited at the feet of the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in this month of the Rosary, that through her intercession, she inspires the Synodal Assembly with the speech of her son Jesus Christ. Appointment will be made in December.