Reflections by Father Michael O'Kelly
after his eight-year mission in Bamenda.

Eight years ago it was hard leaving England - my parish, family and friends - to go to Bamenda. At least I knew I would be coming back eventually. Now I find coming home difficult; more so that I leave Africa - parish, adoptive families and good friends - probably for good.

When I arrived in Bamenda in 1985, Frs. Felix Muscat, Anthony Gatt and Anthony Day were already there. As I leave Bamenda, Portsmouth Diocese now has no priest there for the first time in 22 years. Our contribution is considerable. We have served Bamenda Archdiocese for all but four years of its life. (We celebrated the Silver Jubilee of the Diocese and of Archbishop Paul Verdzekov last year). The Archbishop's mind is very clear. Over lunch before I left he said he accepted my departure as "a temporary interruption" in the presence of Portsmouth Priests in Bamenda. I too hope that will be the case.

As Sister dioceses, Bamenda and Portsmouth should be conscious of a two-way exchange. When we work there it is not, for me, a simple matter of mission - a giving relationship - but of solidarity - give and take. The Church in Bamenda is rapidly maturing. We meet as equals with differing strengths and needs. As they begin to fulfil their own manpower needs with a vibrant local clergy, missionaries will tend to reconsider their commitment there. Even Mill Hill, who pioneered the area from the 1920's, are now recruiting in Bamenda to assist the local Church in becoming missionary. Our role is different and, hopefully, more permanent.

Already we have seen almost as many Bamenda priests over here as they have seen Portsmouth priests working there. There are plans for more to come. We offer a depth of pastoral experience in a well-established Church to enrich them. They can offer us the energy, confidence and missionary priorities of a young Church. They are struggling to inculturate a very western Church in African culture. Maybe we can learn to inculturate our own Church in the new Britain emerging from a deep cultural shift of our own.

Local Authorities like to twin with others abroad, why not dioceses? We believe in one universal Church. Our Bamenda link helps to make this rea1, to incarnate our theology. Our prayers, cash and human commitment are essentia1 to this. Medicins Sans Frontieres do not lack doctors to serve in the most hostile situations. Can we not be a Diocese sans Frontieres, sharing our strengths to build the Church which is still universally needed? It's a matter of give and take. I know. And the cost - for me another difficult period of readjustment - is well worthwhile for all we gain. It has been a privilege to serve in Bamenda with Archbishop Paul Verdzekov and a joy. I would not like others to miss it.