The Archbishop of Canterbury has called for peace in Cameroon on the final day of her historic visit to the country.
Preaching at a farewell service in Yaoundé, Archbishop Sarah Mullally said the people of Cameroon “have suffered for far too long” and called for “genuine and inclusive dialogue” that leads to peace.
The Archbishop, who visited the South West Region on Saturday, said: “Peace requires genuine and inclusive dialogue – it needs to have everyone around the table. That requires courage, it requires strength, and it requires commitment at every level of society, but particularly those in authority.
“As Shepherd and Pastor, I urge you to follow in this way of Christ, who is the bringer of peace.”
Archbishop Sarah, who presided at the Eucharist at St John’s Anglican Church this morning, is the first Archbishop of Canterbury to visit Cameroon.
Speaking of her joy at visiting the Diocese of Cameroon, the Archbishop said she had been “profoundly moved” to witness its ministry. The diocese, which began as a missionary diocese, continues to grow its numbers. There are currently approximately 15,000 Anglicans in the country.
“Where you have seen your people suffering, caught up in continued conflict, displaced and fearful, you have been faithful to Jesus’ call. Your people are hard-pressed, ministry is challenging and communities are often hard to reach – and yet, the Anglican Church in Cameroon is growing! Praise God! Alleluia!”
Preaching on the Gospel story of Jesus walking on the water, the Archbishop said: “Put your faith in Jesus. Fix your eyes upon him – for it is he who commands the winds and the waves.”
The two-hour service, which was attended by the local congregation as well as Anglicans from across the Diocese of Cameroon, included school children and a youth marching band. It was filled with joyful music, dancing and an extended time of prayer for the people and churches of Cameroon.
The farewell service marked the end of Archbishop Sarah’s 10-day pastoral visit to Ghana and Cameroon at the invitation of the Anglican Primate of West Africa, the Most Revd Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith. It is her first visit to Africa since taking office.
The Archbishop visited Ste Thérèse on Monday, an Anglican church in the agricultural region outside Yaoundé, where she saw the church’s work supporting the local farming community.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Archbishop paid courtesy visits to the Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Lejeune Mbella Mbella.
During her Cameroon visit the Archbishop has met and prayed with Anglicans in Douala, Yaoundé and the South West Region, as well as meeting ecumenical clergy and other faith leaders, and government leaders. She has been joined throughout the visit by the Anglican Bishop of Cameroon, the Rt Revd Dibo Thomas-Babyngton Elango.