g The faithful of Our Lady of Mercy Quasi Parish, Manda, gathered on Sunday, 28 June 2026, to bid farewell to their pioneer rector, Rev. Fr. Beltus Asanji Tabefor, whose transfer marks the end of the founding phase of one of the Archdiocese of Bamenda's youngest parishes.
The solemn Eucharistic celebration, attended by hundreds of Christians, clergy, civil authorities and ecumenical partners, served both as a thanksgiving for five years of pastoral leadership and as a commissioning for Fr. Asanji's new assignment as Director of Communications of the Archdiocese of Bamenda, Director of Radio and TV Evangelium and Supervisor of Arise.
Present at the celebration were the Mayor of Bamenda III Council, Fongu Cletus, accompanied by his wife, alongside the Pastor of the Presbyterian Church Manda, reflecting the strong ecumenical relationship cultivated during Fr. Beltus Asanji's ministry.
Delivering the homily, the Dean of Futru Deanery and Parish Priest of Futru Parish, the mother parish from which Manda Quasi Parish was created, Rev. Fr. Jason Muluh, challenged Christians to place Christ above every personal attachment, describing Fr. Asanji's transfer as a living expression of priestly obedience.
"Jesus is not asking us to love our families less; He is asking us to love Him first, so that all other loves find their true orientation and strength."
Reflecting on the five years of ministry at Manda, Fr. Muluh praised the outgoing rector for embracing sacrifice to establish a parish where little previously existed.
"For five long years, he has walked these dusty paths, knocking on your doors, sharing your joys and carrying your burdens."
He noted that under Fr. Asanji's leadership, the young parish acquired land and erected its church, describing the achievement as "a permanent sign of God's presence among you."
Dean of Futru Deanery and Parish Priest of Futru Parish, Rev. Fr. Jason MuluhYet the preacher insisted that the departure of the pioneer rector should not weaken the faith of the community.
"As Fr. Beltus leaves, do not think that your faith leaves with him. For five years he planted the seed, but now you must water it."
Calling for spiritual maturity, he urged Christians to deepen family prayer, study Scripture and support one another.
"A parish is not sustained by one priest alone. Like the Shunammite woman, your hospitality, your prayers and your unity in Christ must continue to be the upper room where God dwells."
The farewell ceremony continued with tributes from parish leaders who reflected on Fr. Asanji's style of leadership.
Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council, Frederick Nsah, described the priest as transparent, approachable and accountable throughout his administration.
He told the congregation that parishioners "knew everything about the affairs of the parish," attributing this to Fr. Asanji's openness in financial management and decision-making.
Nsah described the outgoing rector as "a child, a friend and a father," thanking him for nurturing the parish from its infancy while wishing him success in his new mission of leading the communications apostolate of the Archdiocese.
One of the most emotional moments came when Parochial Vicar Rev. Fr. Ken Bawala delivered his farewell message. Struggling to contain his emotions, the young priest broke into tears as he paid tribute to the man he described as both collaborator and brother in ministry.
The ceremony also featured the presentation of gifts from the parish community before the symbolic handing over of the tabernacle keys, marking the formal conclusion of Fr. Asanji's pastoral responsibility over the parish he pioneered.
In his farewell address, Fr. Asanji thanked every group that contributed to building the parish, from the Parish Pastoral Council, catechists and Small Christian Communities to finance committees, choirs, altar servers, wardens, parish workers and volunteers.
"I do not come to say goodbye to our faith, for faith knows no borders and no farewells. I do not come to say goodbye to love, for the love of Christ has woven our hearts into one body, one spirit, one home."
Paying tribute to his collaborators, he thanked Parochial Vicar Fr. Ken Bawala for walking beside him throughout the mission.
"You have not only been a collaborator in ministry; you have been a brother, a true brother."
He also acknowledged the ecumenical support he enjoyed from the Presbyterian Church.
"Special thanks to my collaborator and friend, Pastor Godwin of the Presbyterian Church, who stood with me all these years as far as ecumenism is concerned."
Looking ahead, Fr. Asanji appealed to parishioners to welcome his successor with the same openness they had shown him.
"Do not make him compete with my shadow. Do not measure him by my steps. Every priest is a different instrument, but the song we play is the same: Christ crucified and risen."
He reminded the faithful that the future of the parish depended not on any individual priest but on the commitment of its members.
"A parish is not built on one priest. A parish is built on a people who choose unity over gossip, service over comfort, Christ over personal preference."
In a moment of humility and reconciliation, he publicly asked forgiveness for any shortcomings during his ministry.
"If in the fire of my zeal I ever wounded a heart... then from the depths of my soul I ask you to forgive me."
He equally extended forgiveness to anyone who may have opposed or misunderstood his ministry.
"I release you today. I forgive you fully and freely, as Christ has forgiven me. I carry no bitterness."
As the final blessing ended, Fr. Asanji left the sanctuary and slowly walked from row to row across the packed church, shaking hands with every Christian and exchanging final words with parishioners who had accompanied him through the parish's formative years.
The priest who arrived to establish a new parish now leaves behind a functioning faith community, while taking up a wider mission to shape the voice of the Archdiocese of Bamenda through its print, digital, radio and television ministries.
By Bakah Derick
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