The Apostolic Nuncio of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, Monsignor Piero Pioppo, has launched the 2015-2016 pastoral year in the Eséka Diocese.

The people of Nyong and Kellé Department gathered to welcome the Apostolic Nuncio on Saturday at Eséka.

It was during a pastoral visit in the eponymous diocese. During the meeting with his flock, he who came in the name of the Lord took the opportunity to launch the pastoral year, placed under the sign of mercy by Pope Francis.

To celebrate the beginning of this year, the faithful visited the various parishes of the diocese to massively participate in the Eucharistic celebration at the Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral.

Catherine Bakang Mbock, Minister of Social Affairs (Minas), the administrative authorities, the Bishop of the diocese Bishop Dieudonné Bogmis, assisted by his vicar general, Monsignor Emile Martin Dibongué, prayed with them. Established in 1993 after the division of the Archdiocese of Douala, the diocese of Eséka includes 35 parishes of medium height with 40% of Catholic Christians.

The Apostolic Nuncio revisited the story of evangelization in the city of Eséka that grew with the Spiritan fathers in 1920.

From the readings of the day, including the "Beatitudes" drawn from the Gospel of Saint Matthew, Archbishop Piero Pioppo recommended the Christians to save these words in their memory and in their heart at the beginning of the pastoral year.

"We work not for the eyes of men but the providential eyes of God", suggested the Nuncio. According to him, this roadmap of the Evangelical New Year must be a prompt call to everyone for more ecclesial commitment.