The people of God, led by Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya of the Archdiocese of Bamenda, recently gathered at the Abangoh Shrine to pray and give thanks to God for the successful visit of the Vicar of Christ, Pope Leo XIV, to Cameroon.
At the celebration of Holy Mass on 13 May 2026, which had Catholic faithful from the different parishes under the Bamenda Ecclesiastical province in attendance, Archbishop Nkea reminded believers that the doves released by the Holy Father are more than mere physical rituals.
Archbishop Andrew Nkea. Credit: Archdiocese of Bamenda.
“The dove of the Pope, which is called Piety, flew back 16 kilometers in the evening and got into its cage. That is a big sign from God that God is with us. God can never abandon his people” he said.
The prelate assured that the doves are spiritual symbols that represent hope that peace will be restored across the northwest and southwest regions of Cameroon, battered by incessant conflicts.
Because Thanksgiving Mass coincided with the celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, he used the occasion to urge people across the English-speaking part of Cameroon to stand firm in fostering peace that is highly needed in the country.
Some priests, during the procession. Credit: Archdiocese of Bamenda.
“Anyone who is listening to me, whether from your house, from the bush, from your workplace, the time for peace is now, and the pope has called on each of us to collaborate so that true peace should truly return among us” he stated.
Advocatus Africa gathered that as a demonstration of faith and devotion to Our Lady, the Blessed Mother Mary, the people of God made a solemn procession after the celebration of Holy Mass at the Abango Shrine to St. Joseph’s Metropolitan Cathedral, in the Big Mankon neighbourhood, singing inspirational hymns.
Some members of the laity carry the Madonna of Our Lady during the pilgrimage. Credit: Bonaventvura Maria.
The Abangoh shrine, officially known as the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Queen of Peace, is a major Catholic pilgrimage site located in the Mezam division of Bamenda in the Northwest region of Cameroon.
The site, which serves as a vital spiritual epicentre for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bamenda, often draws large pilgrims for prayer vigils.
