Minister Atanga Nji receiving blessings blessings from Pope Leo XIV after the inaugural mass in Rome, May 2025 as he represented President Paul Biya.
As Cameroon prepares to receive Pope Leo XIV from April 15 to 18, the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, has underscored the critical role of the Catholic Church in the country’s development, describing it as a “good partner” in nation-building.
Speaking during an interview on CRTV’s Globe Watch programme hosted by Charles Ebune, the Minister highlighted the Church’s longstanding contribution beyond its spiritual mission.
“The Catholic Church has been very present in the life of the nation,” Atanga Nji stated, pointing to its deep-rooted presence across all ten regions of Cameroon.
He emphasized that the Church’s impact is most visible in key sectors such as education and healthcare. “They have good schools, well-renowned schools. They have good health facilities,” he noted, citing institutions across the country that have shaped generations of Cameroonians.
Summing up this contribution, the Minister declared: “I can say that the Catholic Church is a good partner in the field of development, apart from preaching the Word of God.”
This statement places the Church not only as a religious institution but as a strategic stakeholder in Cameroon’s socio-economic progress.
According to Atanga Nji, the strength of the Catholic Church in Cameroon is both historical and structural. With 26 dioceses spread across five ecclesiastical provinces, the Church’s footprint predates the modern Cameroonian state.
He referenced the legacy of figures such as Cardinal Christian Tumi of blessed memory, whose early leadership roles reflected the depth of Catholic influence even in remote areas.
“The Catholic Church is very present in the life of the nation” the Minister reiterated, stressing that its presence cuts across regions, communities, and generations.
Beyond development, Atanga Nji also highlighted the Church’s role in fostering national unity and peaceful coexistence.
He pointed to Cameroon’s unique model of interreligious harmony, where Muslims, Catholics, Protestants, and other denominations celebrate together and support one another during major religious events.
“This living together… is like the identity of Cameroon,” he said, aligning the Church’s message with national values promoted by President Paul Biya.
The upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV, the fourth papal visit in Cameroon’s history, is seen by the government as recognition of the country’s strong Catholic presence and religious harmony.
Atanga Nji described the visit as a “major event” and a moment of pride for the nation, adding that Cameroonians from all walks of life are mobilised to give the Pope a warm welcome.
“He is coming with… good messages of hope, life, reconciliation,” the Minister said, reinforcing the broader significance of the visit beyond the Catholic community.
As Cameroon stands on the brink of this historic visit, the government’s message is clear: the Catholic Church remains a vital ally not only in spiritual guidance but in tangible national development.
By framing the Church as a “good partner in the field of development,” Atanga Nji has opened the door to deeper recognition of faith-based institutions as key contributors to Cameroon’s future.