The Archdiocese of Bamenda is preparing a catechism consisting of one hundred questions and answers inspired by Pope Leo XIV’s message of peace, written by Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya. With the support of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the Church hopes to print and distribute it widely among younger generations in a region scarred by a decade of conflict. Cameroun is a young nation where 60 percent of the population is under 25, and in its English-speaking regions, youth have grown up amid the «Anglophone Crisis» between separatists and the government since 2016.
Archbishop Nkea explains that the war has left between 8,000 and 10,000 dead—though the actual figure is likely higher—and displaced between 800,000 and one million people. For nearly five years, many children could not attend school, creating a generation deeply marked by conflict.
Pastoral challenges and community action in the Archdiocese of Bamenda
Violence reached local Church communities as priests and bishops were kidnapped by separatist groups. A painful aspect was that perpetrators were local youths from the communities themselves. When abductions surged, Archbishop Nkea announced the closure of parishes and the withdrawal of clergy until safety was restored:
“We are not going to fight anyone”.
In response, local mothers intervened, warning their sons of the consequences of losing the Church’s presence, including healthcare and sacraments. This grassroots movement prompted residents to negotiate the release of their priests to save their local schools and hospitals. Archbishop Nkea reflected on the tragedy:
“They have witnessed killings. They have witnessed kidnappings. They have seen respect for human life and human dignity decline. We want to build a new culture. A culture based on respect for the human person, the value of life, reconciliation, and peace”.
A peace catechism inspired by Pope Leo XIV
Against this backdrop, the visit of Pope Leo XIV brought a powerful message of hope to Bamenda. To preserve that message, Archbishop Nkea authored the 100-question peace catechism. The text will be used across archdiocesan Catholic schools serving around 15,000 students, including Christians, Muslims, and followers of traditional religions:
“It will be a text based on the Holy Father’s message of peace. This catechism will not be intended only for Catholics. We believe it is a concrete way of sowing peace among the younger generations”.
Rather than focusing on doctrine, the project emphasizes universal human values, including human dignity, the value of life, peaceful coexistence, and forgiveness. With ACN’s backing, the archdiocese plans to distribute the text widely so children can study it from a young age.
