The faithful of Bamenda are not rebellious. They are a people longing for justice, dignity, and honest leadership. Their reaction was a reminder that legitimacy is earned through solidarity, humility, and attentive listening.
By Barrister Timothy Mbeseha, The Independentist Contributor
A Feast That Calls Us Back to True Leadership
The Solemnity of Christ the King invites Christians everywhere to reflect on what genuine leadership looks like in the eyes of God. Scripture reminds us that a true leader stands with the people, shares their burdens, and guides them with compassion. The image of the shepherd who knows his flock, understands their wounds, and protects them with courage sits at the heart of this celebration.
A Painful Moment in the Cathedral
During the rededication of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Bamenda, an unexpected and unfortunate moment unfolded. When the Apostolic Nuncio mentioned the name of President Paul Biya, the gathered faithful murmured openly. The Nuncio, visibly surprised, reminded the congregation that he was the Pope’s representative in Cameroon.
This incident was not simply a breach of decorum. It revealed something deeper: the presence of unresolved wounds, unspoken frustrations, and a widening disconnect between the lived reality of the people and those who claim to speak on their behalf.
When Leadership Feels Distant from the Flock
A shepherd who does not understand the suffering of his flock cannot truly lead them. In the Gospel, Jesus faced rulers and soldiers who mocked Him because they did not understand His mission. Their words were a sign of distance, not authority.
Likewise, a leader who remains far from the people’s lived experience risks unintentionally wounding them. When the suffering of a community is immense, empathy becomes a basic requirement of any form of leadership, whether spiritual or political.
Pope Francis captures this responsibility in his call for pastors who “smell of the sheep.” Leadership must be rooted in proximity, not privilege. It must reflect the shared pain, hopes, and dignity of the people.
A Wounded People Deserve Understanding
For many years, the people of the North West and South West regions have endured unbearable hardship. Their communities have been scarred by violence, displacement, and deprivation. They have lived through elections that did not reflect their will, and policies imposed without their consent.
Against this background, the mention of a political leader they did not choose felt like salt on open wounds. In a place meant to uplift and console them, it sounded like a reminder of the injustices they have carried for far too long.
The reaction inside the cathedral was not an insult to the Church nor to the Nuncio. It was a spontaneous outpouring from a community that has been wounded repeatedly and longs for acknowledgment, truth, and compassion.
The Mission of the Church in Times of Suffering
The Church has always stood tallest when it stands with the oppressed. Under the leadership of Archbishop Andrew Nkea, the Metropolitan Diocese of Bamenda has faced the difficult task of navigating pastoral responsibility in a region shaken by conflict.
Moments like this rededication require sensitivity. They call for words that lift the brokenhearted, not those that reopen their scars. A celebration meant to consecrate the House of God became instead a reminder of the community’s deep pain, much like when Jesus cleansed the Temple because the sacred had been overshadowed by scandal and confusion.
A Call to Compassionate and Truthful Leadership
The faithful of Bamenda are not rebellious. They are a people longing for justice, dignity, and honest leadership. Their reaction was a reminder that legitimacy is earned through solidarity, humility, and attentive listening.
Any leader — political or religious — must learn to stand close enough to feel the heartbeat of the people and brave enough to speak truth on their behalf. Especially in times of crisis, leadership must reflect the justice, mercy, and courage of Christ the King.
On this sacred feast, the incident in the cathedral compels us to rediscover what it means to shepherd a wounded flock: to stand with them, to uplift them, and to serve them with humility and love.
