Cardinal Christian Wiyghan Tumi, Archbishop of Douala (Cameroon), was born on October 15, 1930 in Kikaikelaki, Cameroon. He did his secondary studies at diocesan seminaries and at the seminaries of Ibadan, Bodija and Enugu in Nigeria. From 1969 to 1973 he obtained in Nigeria a Teachers’ Training Grade; a University General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level in London; a licentiate in theology at the Catholic Faculty of Lyon; a doctorate in philosophy at the Catholic University of Fribourg, Switzerland. He is well versed in his native dialect, Nso, Pidgin and Hausa, Latin, English, and French.

He was ordained a priest on April 17, 1966 in Soppo, diocese of Buéa and from 1966 to 1967 carried out his ministry as a parochial vicar at Fiango (Kumbo). From 1967 to 1969 he was a professor at the Bishop Rogan College minor seminary. In 1973, after having studied abroad, he returned to his diocese and was named rector of the major regional seminary of Bambui, archdiocese of Bamenda. He was also chaplain to the Association of Catholic Dames and was very involved in promoting the ecumenical movement, obtaining much esteem by Presbyterians and Baptists.

President of the presbyteral diocesan council, on December 6, 1979 he was elected the first bishop of the diocese of Yagoua, erected the same day. He received episcopal ordination on January 6, 1980 in St. Peter’s Basilica. During his pastoral care, the local church developed rapidly, enriched with institutions and centers of formation, nursery schools and dispensaries.

Elected on April 23, 1982 vice-president of the Episcopal Conference, on November 19, 1982 he was promoted to Coadjutor Archbishop of Garoua. On March 17, 1984 he was made Archbishop.

In 1985 he was elected as president of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (until 1991), and participated in the extraordinary assembly of the Synod of Bishops of 1985. President delegate to the 8th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (1990); President delegate to the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops (1994).

Archbishop of Douala, August 31, 1991.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of June 28, 1988, of the Title of Ss. Martiri dell'Uganda a Poggio Ameno (Martyrs of Uganda at Poggio Ameno).

Member of:

• Congregations: for the Evangelization of Peoples; for Catholic Education; for Divine Worship and the Discipline of Sacraments;
• Pontifical Council: Cor Unum; for the Family.