Cameroon – Religion: PCC In Conclave To Elect New Moderator, Synod Clerk

Par Atia T. AZOHNWI | Cameroon-Info.Net
BUEA - 17-Nov-2019 - 19h30   6576                      
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The Synod of Peace and Unity of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, PCC, is in session in Buea and will end with the election of a new Moderator and Synod Clerk.

The PCC 2019 Synod of Peace and Unity opened Sunday, November 17, 2019 at Presbyterian Church Buea Town with a solemn church service celebrated by the Rt. Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba, incumbent Moderator of the church alongside the outgoing Synod Clerk, Rev. Babila George Fochang.

The opening of the Synod of Peace and Unity was attended among others by the Governor of the South West Region, Bernard Okalia Bilai.

Going by yesterday’s Synod Committee meeting, the body that prepares business for the Synod, Rt. Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba is in a pole position to succeed himself as Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, PCC.

Synod Committee elections Saturday, November 16, 2019 intended to shortlist three candidates each for the posts of Synod Clerk and Moderator revealed that the incumbent Moderator harvested 84 votes, while the Rev. Ayuk Ebot Jones and Rev. Nganji Christian respectively got 45 and 27 votes.

Rev. Miki Hans Abia, Rev. Ngwa Hosea and Rev. Mokoko Mbue Thomas are the top finalists for the post of Synod Clerk. They respectively got 83, 43 and 33 votes. Rev. Miki is the Parish Pastor of PC Bonamoussadi and doubles as Presbyterial Secretary for the East Mungo South Presbytery. He is tipped to replace the no-nonsense Rev. Babila George Fochang who bows out five years after rising to the coveted office.

“The just ended Synod Committee is the body that prepares business for the Synod. It has done its required duty by shortlisting three candidates for each of the elective posts. It is inappropriate for such a list to have been devolved to the public because the six eligible candidates are still subject to cross examination and scrutiny by the Synod Committee that will finally propose two candidates for each of the posts for election by the Synod this Monday,” a member of the PCC said.

The Synod Committee is made up of pastors and heads of departments but the Synod is enlarged to presbytery delegates and presbytery chairpersons.

“The Synod will vote the new Moderator and Synod Clerk at the Synod Office beginning 4:00 p.m.  Monday,” a Pastor said but did not want to be quoted.

The elections come on the heels of calls from some disgruntled faithful for the elections to be postponed on grounds that the process was replete with irregularities stemming from the constitution of the church.

Rt. Rev. Fonki had in 2015 appealed to Christians to set aside whatever differences they may have, which act like speed brakes to unity, and work faithfully for the growth of the church, whose membership is estimated at over 1.5 million. But his first mandate was greeted with a lot of confusion and social media grandstanding. He would apparently fall out with his Synod Clerk, opening the way to tons of criticism as to how the one who had promised to transform the church was managing its finances.

If Fonki is reelected, it may therefore suggest that the who-is-who of the PCC see in him one who can grow the spiritual life of the church for the next five years. It remains unclear what fate awaits the clergy and laity who openly criticized him. Pundits however hold that the future is pregnant.

Rt. Rev. Fonki: the Man

The Rev. Fonki was born on November 23, 1965 in his native village of Bombe in Akwaya subdivision of Manyu Division. His educational career started at St. Paul Primary School Bombe, culminating with a Master’s Degree in Applied Theology at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. He has served the church in different capacities ranging from Parish Pastor to Presbyterial Secretary in different presbyteries and also as Direct Partnership Secretary of the PCC. He became PCC Moderator in 2014.

He is married to Rev. Dr. Perpetua Fonki, a lecturer at the Cameroon Christian University – Kumba Campus and head of the Presbyterian Counseling Unit. They are blessed with a son, Fonki Samuel Forba Junior.

PCC Moderators: Late Rev. Abraham Ngole (1958-69),Late Rev. Jeremiah  Chi Kangsen (1969-85), Late Rev. Henry Anye Awasom (1985-99),Very Rev.Dr.Nyansako-ni-Nku (1999-2009),Very Rev.Dr. Festus Ambe Asana (2009-2014) and Rt. Rev. Fonki Samuel (2014 – date).

PCC Synod Clerks: Rev. Aaron Su(1959-62),Late  Pastor Moses A, Fondo(1962-64),Late Rev. Aaron Su(1964-67), Late Rev. Jeremiah Chi Kangsen(1967-69),Late Rev.Thomas N.Ediage (1969-85),Rev.Dr. Jonas N. Dah (1985-89),Rev Nyansako-ni-Nku (1989-99), Rev. Dr. Festus Ambe Asana(1999-2009), Rev.Abwenzoh William Membong (2009-2014), and Rev. Babila Fochang (2014-date).

Auteur:
Atia T. AZOHNWI
 @T_B_D
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