“There are no differences between French-speaking and English-speaking Catholics in the Church”

Father Florent Ze Ntongo stated that there are no differences between French-speaking and English-speaking Catholics within the Church in Cameroon. Speaking to Agenzia Fides during the International Forum of Catholic Action in Rome, the National Assistant General of the Apostolate of the Laity in Cameroon noted that bishops help Christians understand that linguistic backgrounds should not divide them, despite attempts by politicians to exploit such differences.

Father Ze Ntongo said that in Yaoundé, several parishes integrate French-speaking and English-speaking faithful. He noted that priests can celebrate Mass for members of the other linguistic group without difficulty.

In his role, Father Ze Ntongo works with various lay associations in Cameroon following the guidelines of the apostolic exhortation Christifideles laici by Saint John Paul II. One such group is the Sainte-Marie Association, also known as Ekoan Maria, which focuses on the spiritual formation of Christian women through prayer, devotion to the Virgin Mary, and engagement in the Church and society.