At 6pm on September 22, 1964, Bishop Rogan College (BIROCOL) Minor Seminary in Small Soppo, Buea, opened its doors to the first batch of 28 students.

The college was opened as a Minor Seminary for the formation of young boys of secondary school age for the Catholic priesthood. At the time, it was the only feeder to St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Bambui.

Fifty years after, Rev. Fr. Isaac Anuchem, Rector of the Minor Seminary says the college has grown in all aspects. He said the college rejoices seeing her products out there serving the church and society as bishops, priests, religious and committed laymen.

“In spite of the challenges, we still think that BIROCOL is living up to its vocation of training those called to serve God in the priesthood, and those not called, to be committed laymen in the church and the society. In this way, we are also true to our motto: DEI POPULO – TO SERVE THE PEOPE OF GOD.”

Festivities to mark the Golden Jubilee of BIROCOL culminated last Saturday, January 10, close to a year after the Golden jubilee year was launched on February 8, 2014 by the Bishop of Buea, Monsignor Immanuel Bushu.

During the mass on January 10, Monsignor Piero Pioppo, the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea enjoined students and ex-students of BIROCOL to remain shining examples to the society.

“Today, we are celebrating the spirit of understanding, love, the sharing of values and the spirit of sharing the word of God. We are celebrating the presence of God among us,” Piero Pioppo said.

The Apostolic Nuncio was assisted during the mass by Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda; Bishop Agapitus Fon, auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bamenda, Bishop Andrew Nkea of Mamfe, Bishop George Nkwo of Kumbo, Bishop Immanuel Bushu of Buea and also by the Bishop of Yagoua, Monsignor Bathelemy Yaouda.

Bishop Bushu said despite the challenges, the successes of BIROCOL are overwhelming and that the Golden Jubilee is an occasion to celebrate and thank God for making all things possible.

The celebrations unfolded under the theme: “BIROCOL at 50 at the Service of the church on priestly formation and academic distinction.”