The two papal visits to Cameroon, 1985 and 1995, ushered in a medley of ecclesiastic transformation.

It is engraved in the history books of the Catholic Church that the promulgation of the post-Synodal Exhortation, Ecclesia in Africa was the brain child of the work of the first synod of Bishops on Africa that held in Yaounde in 1995.

This remains one of the historic reforms initiated in the Catholic Church by Pope John Paul II. Through the Ecclesia in Africa, Pope John Paul II fully integrated the African tradition in the Catholic Church as one of the strategies to enable the Word of God sail through the African continent.

For Cameroon, the new dispensation was a tip of the iceberg. There is yet something much more for the country; the particular attention Pope John Paul II gave to Cameroon. For the first time in the history of the nation, Cameroonians were honoured with a papal visit in 1985 during which he addressed Christians and other well wishers several pontifical celebrations.

One of the most important things about his visits to Cameroon (1985 and 1995) was that the country served as a podium from where he addressed the whole of the African continent as translated by the following words in 1995; “I would like to address a warm greetings to all the people of Cameroon and to tell them of my esteem and my best wishes for the nation's prosperity and for the human and spiritual advancement of all in harmony and peace. I am thinking of all the peoples of Africa and I would like to tell them from the very beginning of my visit, that I consider their presence in the world and their role in the international community irreplaceable.”

Cameroonians as a whole including non Christians have never forgotten the two historic visits of Pope John Paul II. This can be explained by the level of mobilisation at each stage of the visit while in the country. Men, women and children travel from far and near, spending sleepless nights in towns where he was programmed to visit in a bid to have his Blessings or simply a glimpse of the man of God.

The traces of his visit remain indelible, notably the creation of the Avenue Jean Paul II in Yaounde, creation of several colleges in his honour such as the one in Mbalmayo and the erection of the Catholic University of Central Africa in Yaounde, the certificates which are readily recognised by the State of Cameroon. Cameroonians will never forget that it was under he reign as pope that he appointed Christian Tume as bishop and ordained him in Rome after which he (Tume) was elected Cardinal.

The umbilical between Cameroon and Pope John Paul II could really be seen during his visit when he consecrated each day in honour of each of the four Ecclesiastical provinces of Cameroon and after created the fifth province. Several other institutions cropped up under his reign including the famous Catholic run communication house in Douala with one of the best printing presses in the country today  (MACACOS).  

Pope John Paul II is also remembered in Cameroon for his encouraging words to the priests:  “Dear friends, you are one of the most beautiful living signs of the maturity your communities have reached. You have a great responsibility to lead and to enliven parishes and groups. Many rely on your generous, disinterested witness as faithful servants of God and the Church. Respect the commitments you have made in responding to the Lord's calls. By the radiance of your faith, by your enlightened teaching and by the example of your perseverance, help Church members to build united and fervent communities together.”