Roman Catholic Christians, other Christians, non believers in Mbinon village, Noni Subdivision, April 26, received Rev. Fathers John Rauch Baba and Denis Ngabir Tameh, following their priestly ordinations.

John Rauch Baba and Denis Ngabir Tameh, all sons of Mbinon were ordained priests at the Buea and Mamfe Dioceses respectively on April 22. Their home-coming for their Thanks-giving and First Holy Mass in Mbinon was, therefore, received with pomp and fanfare as they are the first-priests ever in the locality.

In a moving sermon at the St Theresia’s Catholic Church Mbinon, Rev. Fr Wilson Ngemba from the Buea Diocese harped on the theme: civic and religious homecomings. He said unlike civil home-coming when a newly appointed son comes and gives to his people, the young priests will rather be expecting from community. He said the Rev. Fathers will not give back gifts but rather spiritual gifts.

Fr. Wilson told the Mbinon people that the gift of a priest means God has chosen his own people. “Giving Mbinon people two Rev. Fathers is a wonderful dash,” the man-of-God said. The visiting priest, however, warned the people to watch out as the devil will inevitably come into the village to compete with the presence of God.

Fr Wilson equally emphasised the qualities of a good priest and urged the new priests to teach the doctrine saying that is their primordial role. He urged them to be fearless saying God is their protector. “When a priest is fearful, then he is gone”, Fr Wilson declared. He said there is a lot of temptation in the priesthood and admonished priests to be steadfast and resolute.

Finally, he said a priest must be knowledgeable. “The knowledge you receive while in the seminary is just the beginning and you must continue to learn,” he said. According to the Nkor Parish Priest, Rev. Fr Augustine Foka, the catch of two sons of Mbinon was a wonderful gift.

To the Mbinon Church Chairman, John Ndi, the two priests were from two families, one of which brought the Catholic faith to Mbinon (the Tamehs) and the current Landlord of the Catholic Church, the Kemas of Fr John Baba.

At a civic reception offered the twin priests at the Mbinon Community Hall, the President General of the Mbinon Development Association, MBIDA, Nform Nkwanti Nformi Willibroad Bime, said the occasion was historic and a dream come true. He attributed the twin ordination taking place during his mandate at the helm of MBIDA as a wonderful blessing.

“On behalf of the National Executive Committee of MBIDA and on my personal behalf, I wish to express our profound gratitude that this history-making event is taking place during our stewardship at the helm of MBIDA. This, indeed, is a wonderful blessing for us and crowns our mandate as we prepare to quit office come December 2014”, the MBIDA President said.

He charged the new priests not just to be worthy sons of Mbinon but trustworthy ambassadors of the lord. He urged them to pray for the people of Mbinon. The occasion was crowned with merry-making and traditional blessings from the Fons of Mbinon.