By Paschal Norbert
BAMENDA, DECEMBER 5, 2025 (CISA) – The Catholic Archdiocese of Bamenda is celebrating the safe return of Fr. John Berinyuy, a priest of the archdiocese, who was freed after 14 days in captivity, a period marked by fear, uncertainty and intensified calls for his release. His freedom comes just days after Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea issued a firm ultimatum to the abductors, demanding the unconditional release of the priest and condemning the growing wave of kidnappings targeting clergy in the troubled Anglophone regions.
Fr. Berinyuy was among seven people, including six priests and one layperson, abducted on 18 November 2025. While six captives were released earlier, the priest remained in detention, deepening anguish among the faithful and prompting widespread prayer campaigns across Cameroon and abroad.
In a heartfelt circular dated December 3, 2025, Archbishop Nkea announced the priest’s release with “a light and joyous heart,” expressing gratitude to God and to the Christian community for their solidarity.
He wrote, “After 14 days of pain, obscurity and confusion yet full of hope, Fr. John is back with us. I thank everyone who was close to us in prayer for Fr. John Berinyuy. The numerous phone calls, messages of love and assurance of your prayers and concern cannot be taken for granted. God worked through all these to ensure the safety and subsequent release of our brother and Priest. May his name be praised and glorified.”
The Archbishop revealed that the abduction had plunged the Archdiocese “into darkness,” noting that the staggered release of the captives raised deep concern and confusion among parishioners. Efforts to secure Fr. Berinyuy’s freedom had mobilized prayer and action groups from all dioceses of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda, as well as supporters around the world.
He recalled the shock that engulfed the region following the mass abduction, writing: “From the evening of Tuesday 18th November 2025, Christ’s Lay faithful in the Archdiocese of Bamenda together with their Priests and Religious were plunged into darkness because of the capture of six of our priests and one lay person. The release of six persons made it more difficult for everyone to comprehend why Fr. John was never released with the others.”
The Archbishop also extended special gratitude to Pope Leo XIV for raising global awareness of the priest’s plight.
“Special thanks go to the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV for mentioning the release of Fr. John during the Angelus prayer of 23rd November 2025 and requesting for prayers for him. We are equally indebted to the Christians of Baba I especially the Catholic Women Association for their courageous intervention both in prayer and action for the release of Fr. John Berinyuy,” said the local ordinary of Bamenda.
The release of the priest comes amid ongoing conflict in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions, where kidnappings of clergy, religious and civilians have become disturbingly frequent. Archbishop Nkea, who days earlier had drawn a firm line against ransom payments and issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the abductors, renewed his plea for peace and urged the faithful to continue praying for an end to the crisis.
He appealed with a message of hope rooted in the Advent season, “We continue to pray for a lasting solution to the Crisis in the Anglophone Regions of Cameroon. May Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace whom we await at Christmas bring us the peace that the world cannot give.”
