Episcopal Ordination of the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bamenda

J-511/C/11/007
18th April 2011 Tel: (237)3303 5745 – Fax: (237)3303 5746 – Cell: (237) 777 7474 Email: bishopesua@hotmail.com; archbishopshouse@yahoo.com
All Fathers, All Institutes of Consecrated Life and Apostolic Life, All Full-time Catechists, All Presidents of Parish Pastoral Councils, All Parish Finance Commissions
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
On 8th April 2011 we joyfully received the news of the appointment of an Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Bamenda by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. I am happy to formally announce to you that the Auxiliary Bishop Elect, Right Reverend Agapitus Nfon, shall be consecrated in the Metropolitan Cathedral, Mankon – Bamenda on Tuesday, 31st May 2011, feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is clear that we have very little time to prepare for this God-given event.
After deliberating together with the Archdiocesan College of Consultors, I have, therefore, decided to appoint a Preparatory Committee with the specific mandate of organizing a hitch-free Episcopal Ordination within the limited time at our disposal. This Preparatory Committee is composed of:
1. 1. The Laity Council
2. 2. Members of the Committee for the Centenary of Evangelization in the Archdiocese of Bamenda
3. 3. Heads of Archdiocesan Services
4. 4. Other Co-opted Members
• The Government Delegate to the Bamenda City Council
• Chairperson of the Francophone Community
• The President of the St. Anne’s Nigerian Women
• The President of the Nigerian Fathers
• The Bamenda Branch President of the BIROCOL EXSA (Bishop Rogan College Ex-Students Association
The Executive of the Laity Council is the core Executive of the Preparatory Committee, to which other people may be co-opted, and shall organise and coordinate its meetings and other related activities.
I would like the Preparatory Committee to put, at least, the following Sub-Committees in place:
1. 1. Finance
2. 2. Liturgy
3. 3. Logistics
4. 4. Entertainment/Catering
5. 5. Invitations
6. 6. Communication
7. 7. Accommodation
8. 8. Address
9. 9. Souvenir
With regard to the Souvenir Sub-Committee, I immediately appoint Father Michael Bibi as its Chair. He shall consult the LESA National and Bamenda Branch Presidents; he can also freely co-opt other people to assist him.
I would also like to exhort you to make a special collection on the Fifth Sunday of Easter, that is, Sunday, 22nd May 2011, to help cover the expenses that necessarily come with an event of such magnitude. The collection shall be one basket and all the proceeds should be forwarded to the Archdiocesan Finance Office promptly.
I count on your usual whole hearted support and collaboration to make the consecration of the Auxiliary Bishop of our Archdiocese a resounding success.
I wish you an Easter full of joy and every blessing.
Yours sincerely in Christ,