Bamenda
Location
Official Name Bamenda Abbey
N° 79
Country Cameroon
City Bamenda
Address P.O. Box 101 - Mankon
Contact Information
Telephone [237] 675207369
Telephone 2 [237] 694035012
Community Email [email protected]
Superior Dom Bonaventure Ogbonna (Awhum), Superior ad nutum 2023
Other Information
Juridical Status Abbey
Diocese Archidioecesis Bamendana (Bamenda)
OCSO Region RAFMA
Founded/Restored 1963
Origins
Founded by Mt. St. Bernard in 1963; semi-autonomous priory 11 February 1971; abbey 11 February 1976.
History
The monastery is located in the diocese of Bamenda, which was created when the diocese of Buea was divided. It is located at an elevation of 1,300 m above sea level.
1960: a request for a foundation in Nigeria had been made in 1949. It was only in 1960 that Mt. St. Bernard began to realize this project even though two Nigerian priests had come to the monastery in order to live monastic life. Different circumstances prevented the foundation being made in Nigeria, but circumstances were more favourable in western Cameroon.
1963, 28 October: the first group of founders arrives.
1964, 7 May: a second group arrives. Regular life begins immediately.
1964, 20 August: the first novices are received.
Foundations
Nsugbe (2001)
Father Immediate
Mt. St. Bernard ; Mt. St. Bernard/ Delegated Father Immediate: Dom John Bosco of Victoria (2022)
Daughter Houses
Nsugbe (until 2017) ; Nsugbe/ Paternity delegated to Mistassini (2018-2022); [Nsugbe]/ Father Immediate delegated to Dom Clément Charbonneau of Mistassini (2022-4 /07/2023); Nsugbe (5/07/2023)
Past Superiors
Luke HARRIS — Superior — ?/ ?/1963 – 11/02/1971
Adrian FARMER — Titular Prior — 11/02/1971 – 11/02/1976
Adrian FARMER — Abbot — 11/02/1976 – 11/02/1982
Mark ULOGU — Abbot — 11/02/1982 – 18/07/1987
Adrian FARMER (2) — Abbot — 15/08/1987 – 27/04/1993
Ambrose SOUTHEY — Sup. ad nutum — 30/04/1993 – 13/04/1996
Jude Forcham Tah — Sup. ad nutum — 13/04/1996 -1998
Pius OKOYE — Sup. ad nutum 1998 — 01/08/1999
Charles AMIHERE — Sup. ad nutum 01/08/1999 – 06/08/2001
Jude FORCHAM TAH — Abbot 06/08/2001 – 06/08/2007
Timothy KELLY — Pontifical Commissary of Bamenda 2013 – 25/11/ 2022
Work and Sources of Income
1) ranching;
2) poultry;
3) cement block production;
4) metal workshop (stoves, metal gates, etc.);
5) carpentry;
6) candles
Guest Facilities
A single building for guests and retreatants with 13 rooms, most with a single bed; maximum stays are normally five days.
