Imitate Mary’s Humility, Persevere Through Life’s Challenges, Cameroonian Bishop Urges Catholics

Reflecting on Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, the Local Ordinary of Buea since his installation in February 2021 said the encounter demonstrated the Blessed Mother’s humility. 

Although Mary knew that she had been chosen to become the Mother of God, she went to assist her cousin, he reflected, adding, “What a sign of simplicity, what a sign of humility.”

Bishop Bibi, who began his Episcopal Ministry in March 2017 as Auxiliary Bishop of Cameroon’s Bamenda Archdiocese, urged Christians to adopt the same attitude and not allow their privileges, achievements or positions to make them consider themselves superior to others.

He also clarified that the Catholic Church’s veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary should not be confused with worship, which is reserved for God alone.

“Mary was a creature who lived a good and holy life,” Bishop Bibi said.

Honoring Mary, he added, should lead Catholics to imitate her virtues and deepen their relationship with God.

The Catholic Church leader also encouraged Christians facing difficulties not to abandon their faith, noting that belief in God does not exempt them from hardship.

“The fact that we have faith doesn’t mean that we are not going to have challenges,” he said.

Bishop Bibi urged the people of God to remain firm when confronted with trials, saying that perseverance is an essential part of Christian discipleship and that Mary offers an example of steadfastness in faith.

He called upon Catholics to imitate the virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary throughout their earthly lives so that they may one day share in eternal blessedness with God.