Bamenda, Cameroon, Dec 30, 2019 / 08:00 am
Pope Francis has promoted an African bishop known for his emphasis on family, community, and traditional values. In an announcement released on Monday, the Holy See Press Office confirmed that the pope has named Bishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya as the new Archbishop of Bamenda in Cameroon.
Bishop Nkea, 54, has served as the Bishop of Mamfe, also in Cameroon, since 2014. He came to international attention during the 2018 meeting of the Synod of Bishops on young people, faith, and vocational discernment.
In contrast to the situation in many European countries, Nkea said during the synod, the Church in Cameroon and in many parts of Africa is growing – including among young peoples.
"My churches are all bursting, and I don't have space to keep the young people," Nkea during a Vatican press conference in October last year. "And my shortest Mass would be about two and a half hours."