From the Parish House

“People come and go, but the impact stays.”

This saying comes to mind as we follow the historic visit of Pope Leo XIV to some African countries (13-23 April 2026).  On Wednesday, the Holy Father visited Cameroon and offered Mass with the faithful of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda, a province that consists of five dioceses and is located in the Anglophone zone.

As I listened to the vote of thanks at the end of Mass delivered by Archbishop Andrew Nkea to the Holy Father, I was intrigued by the very strong expressions he used to describe the Pope’s visit to his region at this point in time.  He said that the presence of the Holy Father in his region is like Daniel in the lions den; it is like the three men – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – ready to be thrown into the fiery furnace; it is like a martyr ready to shed his blood for his brothers and sisters so that they may have life and have it in abundance.

At first, I found these expressions a bit dramatic.  However, in seeking to understand the situation in Bamenda and indeed in Cameroon, I came to appreciate his words of gratitude to the Holy Father.  Cameroon’s Anglophone Crisis over the last three years has caused widespread devastation in the country.  There have been numerous war crimes, including indiscriminate shooting, burning, torture, and kidnapping for ransom.  Hospitals, schools, humanitarian aid, humanitarian workers have all been targeted.  Religious leaders, including Catholic bishops and priests who have been vocal about the negative impact of the crisis – especially on civilians – have faced harassment and kidnapping.  As a result, thousands of innocent people have been killed, and many lives are in danger or under threat daily.  In his own words, Archbishop Andrew said that Pope Leo has come at a time of “insecurity, uncertainty, and discouragement.”

However, the visit of the Holy Father has brought much hope and renewal to the people of Cameroon, especially in Bamenda.  In his deep gratitude, the Archbishop expressed that Pope Leo’s presence has brought them “a spiritual uplift, moral encouragement, psychological boost, and physical consolation,” and they hope to reap the fruits of this visit for many years to come.

“People come and go, but the impact stays” is very applicable in the case of the Holy Father’s visit.  However, looking back into our own life, there are also many encounters that leave a lasting impact on us.  The Gospel story of Emmaus that we hear this weekend powerfully reminds us that the presence and visits of God – especially through the Eucharistic celebrations each time we gather – are also means of God’s love and mercy that help to renew our hope and joy.  After listening to the Scripture that the Lord opened and explained to them; then breaking bread and sharing, they immediately recognised him.  With such an encounter with the risen Lord, the disciples were then set free from their downcast state and returned at once to bear witness back in Jerusalem.

Let us have courage and be open to welcome each visit that the Lord makes in whatever way, or through whatever person, so that our lives may be constantly renewed with hope and joy bearing witness to him.

By Fr Sang Ho