On Tuesday, September 3, 2024, Archbishop Jose Avelino Bettencourt, Apostolic nuncio to Cameroon released a video which has gone viral on almost all social media platforms. I would like to publicly thank Archbishop Jose Avelino Bettencourt for this initiative in working for peace in Cameroon and his empathy on the need for children to be educated.
The voice and facial expression of Archbishop Jose Avelino Bettencourt in this video is a clear sign of his profoundest empathy with children who suffer violence and chronic pain as a result of war and the unrestful situation in Cameroon.
It also demonstrates his unwavering devotion and commitment to the education of children and indeed as Archbishop Bettencourt puts it: “Our children are our future. Children suffer the most when there is violence.” The temporary exhibition in the Apostolic Nunciature in Yaoundé, Cameroon of Cameroonian children’s wishes for peace is the first of its kind in the history of the Apostolic Nunciature in Cameroon. This building which used to be a very restricted area has now truly become the Vatican City in Cameroon where we have truly observed the countless visits of common Cameroonian people in the society.
I firmly believe that all apostolic nunciatures in the world should reflect the Apostolic Nunciature in Yaoundé and should be accessible to everyone, even the common man. The Apostolic Nunciature in Yaoundé, Cameroon has truly become the peoples place and we need to objectively congratulate and appreciate Archbishop Jose Bettencourt for such a lasting and enduring legacy.
Above all, the features of Cameroonian children’s wishes for peace in the Apostolic Nunciature is a clear fact that Archbishop Jose Avelino Bettencourt has made the Apostolic Nunciature a place where the voiceless children could be heard.
The photographic exhibition produced by the Piarist Fathers with photographer Emily Pina are a true testimony that we are all made in God’s image and likeness regardless of our nationality, race, colour. (Genesis 1: 27).
I wish success to Archbishop Jose Avelino Bettencourt in his mission in Cameroon and in his indefatigable work for peace in Cameroon. I call on our bishops especially the bishops of the English Speaking part of Cameroon to emulate the example of Archbishop Bettencourt. We need to see more videos from our own English speaking bishops in this crusade for peace in Cameroon for I believe it is the best wayto call the attention of those who do not want this war to stop.
The Message in the Video
This is what Archbishop Bettencourt says in the video:
“Peace and greetings from the apostolic Nunciature. I am the apostolic nuncio in Cameroon, Pope Francis’s representative amongst you. Cameroon has become my home and my passion. A temporary exhibit here features Cameroonian children’s wishes for peace. This photographic exhibition was produced by the Piarist Fathers with photographer Emily Pina.
One child by the name of Peter even says “living in peace feels good just to wake up and go to school without fear.” He was prevented from going to school because of violence.
Our children are our future. Children suffer the most when there is violence.
According to UNESCO, over 250 million children worldwide are prevented from attending school because of conflicts and violence.
According to the World Bank, over 17,500 children in Cameroon are prevented from attending school primarily in the regions of the Northwest, Southwest and Far North. Millions of children’s Futures are destroyed. Violence is never justified. Violence comes from evil. Peace and only peace comes from God. Violence is not justified not on Sundays not on Mondays or any other day of the week.
This month of September, let us not prevent children from going to school. Let us free the Children. Let us allow the children to build the future.
I add my voice to countless Cameroonians from all walks of life, from North to South, from East to West not least the voices of the Catholic Bishops of Cameroon who work tirelessly to build the future.
Nelson Mandela once said: “educating all of our children must be one of our most urgent priorities.”
We all know that educating more than anything else improves our chances of building better Lives Pope Francis reminds us that the mission of schools and teachers is to develop an understanding of all that is true, good and beautiful.
Dear friends, violence is never justified. Only peace is the way of the future.
This month of September, please let the children attend school and together let us work for peace. Thank you. God bless.”
Primary Source:
Transcribed byNchumbonga George Lekelefac, B.Phil. (Mexico); S.T.B. (Rome); J.C.L. /M.C.L.(Ottawa); Dr. theol. (Doctorandus), University of Münster, Germany; Diploma in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, and Dutch; International Advocate for the Oppressed; Voice of the Voiceless; Defender of the Defenseless and of Fundamental Human Rights; the Rivivalist, Elucidator and Revolutionist Canon Lawyer/Jurist; Friend to the Vulnerable and a lover of no Oppressor/ Tyrant; International Language Tutor of English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and German; Europe/ US Chief Correspondent of “The Sun Newspaper” in Cameroon;
The “Herald Tribune” in Cameroon; and “The Horizon Newspaper” in Cameroon; Catholic Media Influencer and Whistle blower; Canon Law Lawyer/Jurist and Researcher; Veteran Contributor on Social Media on Theological and Canonical Enlightenment and Arguments; Founder/ CEO of the “Nchumbonga Lekelefac Institute of Research, Documentation, Language and Culture, USA;” Canon
Law Jurist/lawyer of the International League for the Defense of Priests’ Rights, Religious men and women of the Roman Catholic Church (LIDDPRRECR), Paris-France and Representative in North and South America; Member of the Canadian Canon Law Society, Ottawa, Canada; Biographer of Bishop Jerome Feudjio, 6th Diocesan Bishop of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands and First African Native Bishop in the United States of America from Cameroon, Africa
My Signature: Nchumbonga George Lekelefac
Email: nchumbong@yahoo.com
“Omnia possumus in Deo qui nos confortat.” (We can do all in God who strengthens us). Philippenses 4:13.
Audiendum, fiendum, nuntiandum (To be heard, to be done, to be reported)
