Fr. Mark Ameh Installed as Parish Priest of St. Joseph the Worker, Bonaberi

Wouri Zone 8, Douala, Sunday 27 September 2026

On Sunday, 27 September 2026, the Catholic faithful of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Bonaberi, Douala, welcomed Rev. Fr. Mark Ameh as their new parish priest. The installation took place during a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Episcopal Vicar of Wouri Zone 8, Monsignor Michael Choumbo, who came to hand the parish into the care of its new shepherd.

A Mass of Welcome

The celebration began at 9:00 a.m. with the usual opening of Mass. The Liturgy of the Word offered a fitting message for the occasion. The first reading was taken from the Book of Ezekiel (18:25-28) and the second from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians (2:1-11). The Gospel was from Matthew (21:28-32), the parable of the two sons.

In his homily, Monsignor Choumbo reflected on these readings and on the meaning of pastoral ministry in the life of a parish.

Monsignor Michael Choumbo delivering the homily at the installation Mass — Monsignor Michael Choumbo, Episcopal Vicar of Wouri Zone 8, delivers the homily.

The Rite of Installation

After the homily, the Episcopal Vicar read the decree of appointment, officially naming Fr. Mark Ameh parish priest of St. Joseph the Worker. The new parish priest was then formally presented to the congregation, and his curriculum vitae was read aloud.

A Shepherd of Many Talents

Served in Chad before moving to the Vatican, where he earned a Master's degree.
Spent thirteen years in the United States before coming to Cameroon.
A gifted music producer and graphic artist.
Currently pursuing a PhD with a university in the United States.
Speaks both French and English, a real asset in a bilingual city like Douala.

The congregation then followed the most solemn moments of the rite, one step at a time.

1The Profession of Faith

Kneeling at the foot of the altar with one hand placed on the Bible, Fr. Mark made his profession of faith, guided by the Episcopal Vicar.

Fr. Mark Ameh kneeling at the altar with one hand on the Bible while Monsignor Choumbo stands beside him — Fr. Mark Ameh kneels at the altar, one hand on the Bible, to make his profession of faith, guided by Monsignor Michael Choumbo.

2Incensing the Sacred Places

Fr. Mark then incensed the confessional, the baptistery and the tabernacle. At the tabernacle, he opened the door and knelt in silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, then incensed it again.

Fr. Mark Ameh incensing the tabernacle as altar servers look on — Incense rises before the tabernacle.

Fr. Mark Ameh swinging the censer over the baptismal font — Fr. Mark incenses the baptistery.

3The Keys of the Church

The Episcopal Vicar presented him with the keys of the church and of the tabernacle, a sign of the care of the house of God now entrusted to him.

4Taking the Presider's Seat

The presider's chair was brought before the altar. With Fr. Mark standing before it, Monsignor Choumbo gently ushered him into the seat, symbolising his assumption of pastoral authority in the parish.

Monsignor Choumbo enthroning Fr. Mark Ameh in the presider's chair — The Episcopal Vicar enthrones Fr. Mark in the presider's chair.

5The Ringing of the Bell

Seated, Fr. Mark rang the church bell three times to summon God's people into God's house. The congregation responded with acclamation.

Fr. Mark Ameh ringing the bell while seated in the presider's chair — Fr. Mark rings the bell three times.

Jubilation and Welcome

To the sound of joyful hymns, the faithful lined up to greet their new priest with a handshake. First came the assistant priests, then the members of the Parish Pastoral and Economic Councils and the parish staff. Two representatives from each parish group followed, all dressed in their respective uniforms. It was a vivid picture of a parish family opening its arms to its new father.

Madam Evangeline Etaka bowing to shake the hand of a smiling Fr. Mark Ameh — Madam Evangeline Etaka, Chairlady of the Economic Affairs Council, greets Fr. Mark.

Reception at the Christian Cardinal Tumi Hall

After Mass, invited guests moved to the Christian Cardinal Tumi Hall for a reception. The mood was festive: there was music in abundance and more than enough food and drink for everyone.

Gifts were presented to Fr. Mark and to his assistant, Fr. Godwin Adejo. One of the most striking came from the Parish Pastoral and Economic Affairs Council, which offered a chasuble to each priest. Both priests wore them before the guests to show off the richness of the gift, to warm applause.

Fr. Mark Ameh and Fr. Godwin Adejo holding up their new white and gold chasubles at the reception — Fr. Mark Ameh (left) and Fr. Godwin Adejo (right) display the new chasubles offered by the Parish Pastoral and Economic Affairs Council.

Voices from the New Jerusalem

Throughout the day, clergy, parish leaders and faithful shared their joy and hopes for the new chapter. Watch their words below.

Monsignor Michael ChoumboEpiscopal Vicar of Wouri Zone 8

Rev. Fr. Mark AmehParish Priest, St. Joseph the Worker, Bonaberi

Rev. Fr. Godwin AdejoAssistant Parish Priest

Mr. Chrystantus EbungVice Chairman, Parish Pastoral Council

Mr. Awungjia ChristopherPresident, CMA

Madam Christina FutelaPresident, AMSP Douala Branch

Fr. FotsingSeminarian, Diocese of Nkongsamba

Looking Ahead

With the installation complete, St. Joseph the Worker Parish begins a new chapter under Fr. Mark Ameh, supported by Fr. Godwin Adejo and the parish's councils and groups. The prayer of the whole parish family is that, under the patronage of St. Joseph, this new beginning will be one of unity, service and growth in faith.

Fr. Mark Ameh has already shared the spirit he hopes will mark the parish:

“When God blesses your neighbour, it means God is in your neighbourhood. So you should be happy for your neighbour so that the next blessing should reach you.”
Rev. Fr. Mark Ameh, Parish Priest