A Farewell in Faith & Honour

St. Joseph the Worker Parish Bids Farewell to
Dr. Rev. Fr. Agi Livinus

In an Emotional Send-Forth Ceremony

Bonaberi, Douala — St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Bonaberi, was awash with gratitude, song, and colour on Sunday, 26 July 2026, as the faithful gathered to bid farewell to their Parish Priest, Dr. Rev. Fr. Agi Livinus (MSP), who has been transferred to Ireland. The day, marked by solemn liturgy in the morning and joyful celebration in the afternoon, brought together clergy, parish groups, traditional dignitaries, and well-wishers in a fitting tribute to a shepherd who has served the parish faithfully.

Prince Fombon with Fr. Livinus, who wears the full traditional regalia of the Bali Fondom — *Prince Fombon (left) stands with Fr. Livinus, adopted as a son of the Bali palace, wearing the fondom's traditional regalia during the send-forth reception.*

The regalia was placed on Fr. Livinus right there in the hall, complete with a ceremonial carved staff, transforming him, for that moment, into a true prince of Bali. The Prince further extended a standing invitation, assuring Fr. Livinus that the palace doors will always be open to him, and that he should feel free to visit whenever his path brings him back to Cameroon.

A Final Sunday of Service

The celebration began with Mass, as it does every Sunday at St. Joseph the Worker — only this time, it was Fr. Livinus's last as Parish Priest. In a rare and moving gesture, he personally celebrated all three Sunday Masses, unwilling to let the day pass without ministering to every congregation that has known him over the years.

Mr. Ebung Chrysantus, vice chairman of the parish pastoral council, addressing the congregation — *Mr. Ebung Chrysantus, vice chairman of the parish pastoral council, addresses the congregation during the farewell Mass.*

A lector proclaims one of the readings during Mass — *Left: a lector proclaims one of the readings. Right: Rev. Fr. Agi Livinus preaches the homily.*

Rev. Fr. Agi Livinus preaching the homily — *Left: a lector proclaims one of the readings. Right: Rev. Fr. Agi Livinus preaches the homily.*

Fr. Livinus also used the occasion to formally introduce the parish's incoming leadership: Rev. Fr. Mark Ameh, who takes over as the new Parish Priest, and Fr. Godwin, who will serve as Assistant Parish Priest — entrusting the community he has nurtured into capable new hands.

Each homily carried the weight of farewell. Fr. Livinus used the moment to speak directly to the parishioners he has shepherded, offering words of gratitude, encouragement, and blessing. The liturgy itself was a full parish effort — the Word of God proclaimed from the lectern, the offertory carried forward with quiet devotion, and the congregation lifted in song throughout.

*Fr. Livinus gives Holy Communion to a parishioner during one of the final Sunday's three Masses.*

Fr. Mark Ameh and Fr. Livinus in the front row after Mass — *Front row: Fr. Mark Ameh, the new Parish Priest (left), and Fr. Livinus (right), after Mass.*

Fr. Godwin, the new Assistant Parish Priest — *Fr. Godwin, the incoming Assistant Parish Priest.*

A Parish United in Gratitude

If the Masses were solemn, the spirit of thanksgiving that followed was anything but restrained. True to its reputation for generosity, St. Joseph the Worker Parish raised a special basket in honour of Fr. Livinus. One after another, the parish's many groups — Basic Christian Communities, choirs, and various associations — came forward with their gifts, each offering a personal expression of the love and appreciation the community holds for their departing Father.

Members of the Catholic Men's Association bringing their gift to the altar — Left: the Catholic Men's Association (CMA) brings their gift to the altar. Right: Madam Etaka, Chairlady of the Economic Affairs Council, calling on the parishioners to come out in their numbers to show their love to their departing priest.

Madam Etaka, Chairlady of the Economic Affairs Council, presenting her gift — Left: the Catholic Men's Association (CMA) brings their gift to the altar. Right: Madam Etaka, Chairlady of the Economic Affairs Council, calling on the parishioners to come out in their numbers to show their love to their departing priest.

As the final Mass drew to a close, the congregation rose together, filling the church with song as they made their way out — a fitting close to Fr. Livinus's last Sunday of service in Bonaberi.

Parishioners returning to their seats after offertory, led by Prince Fombon — *Parishioners return to their seats after the offertory, with Prince Fombon at the forefront.*

A Royal Welcome Into the Bali Fondom

The celebrations moved from the church to the Christian Cardinal Tumi Hall for a reception that will long be remembered. There, Fr. Livinus was showered with gifts of every kind — in cash and in kind — from a parish determined to send him off in style.

Traditional Cameroonian dishes prepared for the reception — *Left: a spread of Cameroon's finest dishes awaited guests at the Cardinal Tumi Hall. Right: Prince Fombon, Fr. Livinus, and Nguimou Francis (left to right).*

*Left: a spread of Cameroon's finest dishes awaited guests at the Cardinal Tumi Hall. Right: Prince Fombon, Fr. Livinus, and Nguimou Francis (left to right).*

Among the many tributes, one stood out above the rest. Prince Fombon of the Bali Fondom took the extraordinary step of formally adopting Fr. Livinus as a son of the palace, presenting him with the fondom's prestigious traditional regalia — a rare and deeply symbolic honour.

The vice chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council and Fr. Livinus pose for the camera — *The vice chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council poses with Fr. Livinus.*

A warm handshake as well-wishers congratulate Fr. Livinus — *Well-wishers offer their congratulations to Fr. Livinus.*

*Left: Fr. Livinus poses with a parishioner. Right: Fr. Mark Ameh, the new Parish Priest.*

Fr. Mark Ameh, the new Parish Priest, at the reception — *Left: Fr. Livinus poses with a parishioner. Right: Fr. Mark Ameh, the new Parish Priest.*

An Afternoon of Song, Dance, and Feasting

The reception was, in every sense, a true Cameroonian celebration. Heartfelt speeches paid tribute to Fr. Livinus's years of ministry, traditional dances brought energy and colour to the hall, and the celebration was crowned with a spread of Cameroon's finest dishes and wine, shared generously among all who came to honour him.

Fr. Mark Ameh making a speech at the reception — *Left: Fr. Mark Ameh delivers a speech at the reception. Right: a parishioner takes part in the celebration.*

A parishioner takes part in the celebration — *Left: Fr. Mark Ameh delivers a speech at the reception. Right: a parishioner takes part in the celebration.*

Guests and parishioners sharing in the reception — *Guests and parishioners share in the joy of the occasion.*

True to the spirit of celebration, well-wishers gathered around Fr. Livinus throughout the afternoon, sharing in the joy of the reception in the very regalia that now marked him a son of the Bali palace.

Fr. Livinus poses with guests at the reception — *Fr. Livinus poses with well-wishers during the reception.*

A Fond Farewell, Not a Goodbye

As Fr. Livinus prepares to begin a new chapter of his priestly ministry in Ireland, he leaves behind a parish deeply grateful for his years of dedicated service — and a community that, through Sunday's celebration, made clear that while he may be leaving Bonaberi, he will never truly leave their hearts. St. Joseph the Worker Parish now looks ahead, welcoming Rev. Fr. Mark Ameh and Fr. Godwin with the same warmth and faith that has always defined this community.

Dr. Rev. Fr. Agi Livinus (MSP), go well — the palace, and the parish, await your return.

St. Joseph the Worker Parish Bids Farewell toDr. Rev. Fr. Agi Livinus