A pontifical mass was organised on Wednesday March 4, 2015 by the Yaounde Ecclesiastical Province. The fight against the nebulous terrorist sect, Boko Haram, cannot only be won by force at the battlefield.

 It also requires spiritual battle if palpable results are to be attained by the defence forces. It is within this context that the Yaounde Ecclesiastical Province of the Catholic Church organised a mass on Wednesday March 4, 2015 in honour of the defence forces currently at the warfront in the Far North Region of Cameroon.

During the solemn high mass attended by the personal representative of the President of the Republic, the Minister of State, Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, Laurent Esso, and a host of other members of government, Bishops of the province, senior security officials and a college of priests, prayed for the country’s defence force.

In his homily drawn from the gospel according to Saint John, the Archbishop of Yaounde, His Lordship Jean Mbarga, underscored the value of peace which he said should reign over war adding that the Lord is a God of peace. The Bishop recommended love for one another and solidarity, for Cameroon has opted for peace in the past 55 years. The man of God prescribed patriotism and national unity in the face of the Boko Haram menace so that together with God, the terrorists will be defeated.

While condemning the ferocious attacks by the terrorist group, Archbishop Jean Mbarga indicated that the spiritual battle is also needed to fight the aggressors. Intercessory prayers were said for the President of the Republic, Paul Biya in his determination to maintain peace and protect persons and their property. The clergy also prayed for God’s protection of the soldiers at the warfront and the repose of the souls of those who have lost their lives in the war against Boko Haram. The mass was animated by the musical band of the Presidential Guard.