Thorough discernment is needed in the alleged apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the residence of a faithful in the Catholic Archdiocese of Bamenda, the Archbishop of the Metropolitan See has said.
On June 6, thousands of Christians and non-Christians flooded the residence of Madam Dorothy Enow Manyor, a member of the All Angels Small Christian Community, in the Immaculate Conception Ngomgham Parish, following an alleged apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the home.
In a statement issued on June 8, Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea recalled the recent guidelines on apparitions which the Vatican issued on May 17, saying, “God is present and active in our history…This action of the Holy Spirit can also reach our hearts through certain supernatural occurrences, such as apparitions or visions of Christ or the Blessed Virgin, and other phenomena.”
“No one can, or is allowed to pronounce with certitude at this time, that the Blessed Virgin Mary is appearing in the said house in Ngomgham,” Archbishop Nkea clarified.
He emphasized that “whatever is happening in Ngomgham, needs thorough discernment and due process by the competent Ecclesiastical Authorities, as stipulated in the Norms from the Holy See of 17th of May, 2024, to be sure of this phenomenon.”
“Until this is done and established by the Church, this private house cannot be considered as a public place of prayer, and all Catholic Christians are therefore encouraged to frequent their parish churches and Diocesan/Parish Shrines for public prayer and veneration of the saints, especially the Blessed Virgin Mary,” the Local Ordinary of Bamenda Archdiocese who also serves as President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC) said.
He appealed to those frequenting Ms Dorothy’s home to allow her privacy, saying, “This family where this phenomenon is taking place, has a right to their privacy and quiet family life. Therefore, people should kindly respect their rights and allow them the peace they deserve.”
The Cameroonian Catholic Archbishop further said he will set up a commission of Theologians to study the phenomenon for the people to see and understand what is really happening concerning the alleged apparition.
Archbishop Nkea recalled that two years ago, the Archdiocese of Bamenda celebrated the Marian Year where Christians “had an in-depth study of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her role in the economy of salvation.”
“The year ended with a Marian Congress and many Christians have the Acta of this congress. We were encouraged to pray the Rosary and to remain close to the Blessed Virgin Mary who is Comforter of the Afflicted, Help of Christians, Mother of the Church, and Queen of Peace,” the Archbishop added.
He urged the faithful to continue to pray as the Archdiocese embarks on discerning the alleged apparition at Dorothy’s home.
“May the same Blessed Virgin Mary, whose Feast we celebrate today under the patronage of her Immaculate Heart, intercede for us, now and at the hour of our death. Amen,” Archbishop Nkea implored.