Cintia A. , Lebledparle.com
Until last week, without any form of consultation, several bishops and priests of the Catholic Church were publicly expressing their views on the possibility of Paul Biya running for another term in 2025. While a moderate or rather reserved stance has been taken by Bishop Jean Mbarga, a radical stance led by Bishop Kleda of Douala and Bishop Barthélémy Yaouda Hougo of Yagoua, has been taken, with this faction calling on the m Head of State to retire from politics and not give in to the temptation of seeking an eighth term in 2025.
In the court of public opinion, the debate sparked by this issue prompted the government to make a move that political analysts saw as a way for the authorities to ease the social tension, as clerics of several denomination were increasingly speak out. However, the President of the Evangelical Church of Cameroon has taken a firm stance by forbidden its ecclesiastical workers from taking commenting on the country’s socio-political situation.
In a letter addressed to the pastors of the Evangelical Church of Cameroon (EEC), Billa Mbella Alexandre, President of this religious congregation, highlighted concerns over statements made by some prelates of the Roman Catholic Church, which seem to have prompted certain ecclesiastical workers to make declarations that could “sow confusion in the minds of public opinion in general and Christians in particular“. He reminds us that even if the evolution of the social and political situation in Cameroon is of concern to the EEC, pastors must apply discipline in matters of public communication.
“To put an end to these mishaps, I must remind the workers of the Evangelical Church of Cameroon that any statement on socio-political issues is the responsibility of the General Synod. Outside this body, all statements are forbidden“, states the letter from the President of the Evangelical Church of Cameroon, Pastor Billa Mbella Alexandre.
