The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Dame Sarah Mullally, arrived in Cameroon today for the start of a five-day visit to its Anglican community.    

The Archbishop, who is visiting Ghana and Cameroon on her first pastoral visit to Africa, concluded her visit to Ghana yesterday in Cape Coast.  

Archbishop Sarah Mullally will be meeting and worshiping with Anglicans in the cities of Douala and Yaounde, as well as visiting the cities of Limbe and Buea in the South West Region. She will be joined by the Anglican Bishop of Cameroon, Rt Revd Dibo Thomas-Babyngton Elango.  

This afternoon the Archbishop was greeted at Nsimalen International Airport, Yaoundé, by the Minister for Territorial Administration, Bishop Dibo and clergy, and members of the Mothers’ Union.  

Tomorrow the Archbishop will visit the Biaka Foundation in Buea before meeting with local Anglican clergy in Limbe.    

On Sunday she will preach at a welcome service of Holy Communion at Bishopscourt in Douala, before visiting the city’s Anglican cathedral and a local parish.  

On Monday the Archbishop will visit Ste Thérèse, Yeug’assi, on the outskirts of Yaoundé, before paying a courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Cameroon. She will also meet with clergy of different denominations in Cameroon.  

Her visit will conclude on Tuesday with a farewell Eucharist at St John’s Church in Yaoundé followed by a courtesy call to the President’s Office.  

Arriving in Cameroon, the Archbishop of Canterbury said: “It is a joy to be visiting Cameroon. I come as a pastor and shepherd to be alongside the Anglican faithful, and assure them they are not forgotten. I bring with me the prayers of our global Anglican family. I look forward to being alongside our beloved brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Cameroon – to accompany them, encourage them, and hear about their lives in this land.  

“In a time of terrible conflicts around the world, and suffering here in Cameroon, I come with the message of the Gospel. This is always a message of peace. It is always about the infinite value of every person made in God’s image. And it is always about the hope we have in Christ – who rose from the dead to bring us new life. 

“I invite Anglicans around the world to pray for the Church here and for the people of Cameroon. May these coming days be a blessing and encouragement to us all – and renew our commitment to be bearers of the good news we have in Jesus Christ.”