Bamenda

Bamenda, Cameroon / Male

Location

Official nameBamenda Abbey
Number79
  • Bamenda0
  • Bamenda1
  • Bamenda2
  • Bamenda3
  • Bamenda4
  • Bamenda5
  • Bamenda6
  • Bamenda7
  • Bamenda8
  • Bamenda9
  • Bamenda10
  • Bamenda11
  • Bamenda12
  • Bamenda13
  • Bamenda14
  • Bamenda15
  • Bamenda16
  • Bamenda17
  • Bamenda18
  • Bamenda19
  • Bamenda20

Contact Information

Telephone[237] 675207369
Telephone 2[237] 694035012
Community emailourladyofbamendaabbey@gmail.com
SuperiorDom Bonaventure Ogbonna (Awhum), Superior ad nutum 2023

Other Information

Juridical statusAbbey
DioceseArchidioecesis Bamendana (Bamenda)
OCSO regionRAFMA
OriginsFounded by Mt. St. Bernard in 1963; semi-autonomous priory 11 February 1971; abbey 11 February 1976.
History
  • The monastery is located in the diocese of Bamenda, which was created when the diocese of Buea was divided. It is located at an elevation of 1,300 m above sea level.
  • 1960: a request for a foundation in Nigeria had been made in 1949. It was only in 1960 that Mt. St. Bernard began to realize this project even though two Nigerian priests had come to the monastery in order to live monastic life. Different circumstances prevented the foundation being made in Nigeria, but circumstances were more favourable in western Cameroon.
  • 1963, 28 October: the first group of founders arrives.
  • 1964, 7 May: a second group arrives. Regular life begins immediately.
  • 1964, 20 August: the first novices are received.
Father immediateMt. St. Bernard ; Mt. St. Bernard/ Delegated Father Immediate: Dom John Bosco of Victoria (2022)
Daughter housesNsugbe (until 2017) ; Nsugbe/ Paternity delegated to Mistassini (2018-2022); [Nsugbe]/ Father Immediate delegated to Dom Clément Charbonneau of Mistassini (2022-4 /07/2023); Nsugbe (5/07/2023)
Past superiors
  • Luke HARRIS — Superior — ?/ ?/1963 – 11/02/1971
  • Adrian FARMER — Titular Prior — 11/02/1971 – 11/02/1976
  • Adrian FARMER — Abbot — 11/02/1976 – 11/02/1982
  • Mark ULOGU — Abbot — 11/02/1982 – 18/07/1987
  • Adrian FARMER (2) — Abbot — 15/08/1987 – 27/04/1993
  • Ambrose SOUTHEY — Sup. ad nutum — 30/04/1993 – 13/04/1996
  • Jude Forcham Tah — Sup. ad nutum — 13/04/1996 -1998
  • Pius OKOYE — Sup. ad nutum 1998 — 01/08/1999
  • Charles AMIHERE — Sup. ad nutum 01/08/1999 – 06/08/2001
  • Jude FORCHAM TAH — Abbot 06/08/2001 – 06/08/2007
  • Timothy KELLY — Pontifical Commissary of Bamenda 2013 – 25/11/ 2022
Work/income
  1. ranching;
  2. poultry;
  3. cement block production;
  4. metal workshop (stoves, metal gates, etc.);
  5. carpentry;
  6. candles
Guest facilitiesA single building for guests and retreatants with 13 rooms, most with a single bed; maximum stays are normally five days.
FoundationsNsugbe (2001)
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