Thirty years
after her last visit
to Fontem (Cameroon)

the Bangwa and Nweh-Mundani peoples

celebrate Chiara Lubich’s
return amongst them
through traditional festivities.

 

 

The king of Fontem, Dr Lucas Njifua, called the Fon,
expressed his gratitude with these words:
"The spirituality of the Focolare has changed our people
especially through communicating the presence of God
and Jesus’ wish: ‘That all may be one’. This is very important.
It has helped us resist warfare. Crime is non-existent here.
Those who live like this do not have problems
in their families, dissension about land ownership, recourse to witchcraft ..."


   Through a big celebration, the Bangwa and Nweh-Mundani peoples welcomed Chiara Lubich in Fontem, Cameroon, located in the middle of the forest. Chiara last visited Fontem 30 years ago, in 1969.

   The clearing and the hill overlooking the village were packed with people. The festivities consisted of songs and dances that exalted the value of life: the dance of the fertility of the earth, the dance of mothers of twins and, last of all, the dance of the Fon and all the chiefs.
   As a sign of recognition for the spiritual values brought by the Movement, Christine, the queen of Fontem, called the Mafua, invited Chiara to put on a traditional dress similar to hers and the Fon’s. She then placed on her head a traditional feathered headdress.

   The words of the Fon, endorsed by an enthusiastic applause, expressed gratitude for the Focolare’s spiritual contribution to the people in addition to the many social works accomplished by the Movement in Fontem. "When we are in awe of God, then we are at peace. It helps us to maintain high moral standards. This moral conscience is also important in the struggle against the scourge of Aids."

   The words of Chiara and her final proposition were immediately embraced. The celebration was sealed by a pact of mutual love among the whole people. It was a strong moment, expressed with a hand shake, which created a powerful bond among everyone.
   "With this pact we are pledging our commitment to maintain full peace among us and to rebuild it again each time it breaks down. Only while love continues to shine in this city will heaven continue to send down its blessings on you, on your children and on your grandchildren."

   Actually the history of the little town of Fontem is marked by the experience of a "blessing from heaven". This blessing became manifest thirty years ago, in a small remote village in the forest where the Bangwa tribe risked becoming extinct due to the 90 percent infant mortality rate.

  

  
   Chiara traced the steps of the Focolare’s involvement in Fontem:
   "In 1964, Mons. Peeters, the bishop of a neighbouring town, received a delegation sent by the Fon of Fontem, bearing gifts.
   They came with a supplication: could the bishop ask Christians to pray to God to help them.
   The bishop turned to the Focolare Movement.     The initial group of doctors and nurses from the Movement reached Fontem at the beginning of 1966. They opened the first dispensary in a local hut.

  
   A few months after this Chiara visited Fontem.
"I remember as though it were yesterday - and I often tell this story - the presence of God, like a sun, enveloping all of us gathered together in a large cleared area of the village. It was as though that presence of God gave us the strength, the enthusiasm and the light to start off together on this divine adventure."

  

   Now, before our eyes, we see a harmonious village with houses, a church, a hospital, primary and secondary schools, a kindergarten and cottage industries.
   An aqueduct has been build, the village has been supplied with electricity and there are roads linking Fontem with neighbouring villages.
   Chiara expressed her great joy in seeing this development, "Above all because I can recognise just how much of what the Lord allowed us to foresee during my second visit, way back in 1969, has actually been accomplished."

   Everyone was very moved when she recalled the words she had spoken on that occasion:
   "Rising up in this place I see a great city that will become famous all over the world, not because of material wealth but because it will shine brightly with a light which is generated by fraternal love kept alight amongst us in the name of God. Many people will make their way to this city in order to learn how to love".
   From that time this ‘city’ has been the destination of many from all over Africa which is so troubled by ethnic conflicts. "Fontem has become a beacon which radiates the light of mutual love throughout Africa and indeed the whole world."
   Over these years the Bangwa and Nweh-Mundani peoples, who are animists, have come to know Christianity.

   Chiara in her talk recalled the great message of the Jubilee, year of reconciliation and of forgiveness. But not all those listening to her were Christians. Addressing those of other churches or other religions, Chiara recalled the Golden Rule which is present in all the religions in the words: ‘Do not do to others what you would not like done to you’. "This means," Chiara added, "that all of us have to continue to love one another."
   This is the vocation of Fontem.
   That promise to live mutual love brought a note of great solemnity. Those present were strongly aware that mutual love is the guarantee that "the vocation of Fontem will continue to be, also in future years, as Jesus said, 'a city on the mountaintop' so that everyone may see it and imitate its life."

   The echo of Fontem over these years has reached the whole world because the developments of this village are due to the contributions from the members of the movement in all continents.
   In fact in 1968, Chiara launched "Operation Africa" particularly among the youth of the movement.
   Consequently, a worldwide communion of goods was mobilised and continued for many years. It was animated by a new awareness of the duty "to bring justice" and to contribute "to repaying the debt the western world has towards this continent".

 

   And as this sense of solidarity grew, so too did the discovery of the rich values and traditions of Africa.

(22-05-2000)   

  

Last updated: 20.2.2002