Abducted Fr. Tatah’s fate hangs in balance as deadline expires today

Today, Wednesday, November 26, marks the deadline set by Archbishop of Bamenda, His Grace Andrew Fuanya Nkea, for the release of Rev. Fr. John Berinyuy Tatah. It should be noted that he was abducted by separatist fighters together with other clergy on November 15 and 18.

Archbishop Nkea maintains that the Catholic Church cannot pay ransom for the release of the priest, as demanded by the abductors who are believed to be a group of separatist fighters. 

According to a statement issued by Archbishop Nkea, all Catholics across the Archdiocese are instructed to recite the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel after Communion at every Mass, imploring divine intervention for the priest’s liberation. 

Archbishop Nkea insists that if Fr. Tatah is not released by today, Wednesday, November 26, all parishes, schools, and Catholic institutions within Ndop Deanery will be shut down, and clergy and religious personnel withdrawn for their safety. The Blessed Sacrament will be removed from all worship spaces and tabernacles left open.

He prescribes that should the captivity continue beyond Friday, November 28, then himself, alongside all priests, religious, and lay faithful of the Archdiocese, will march to Baba I to either bring Fr. Tatah home or remain there until he is freed. 

While condemning the growing wave of kidnappings affecting both clergy and civilians, Archbishop Nkea says, “this should stop with immediate effect", while urging security forces to act professionally and refrain from exploiting civilians. He has also called on all stakeholders in the nine-year conflict to pursue dialogue for lasting peace.

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L-R ( Rev. Fr. John Berinyuy Tatah and Archbishop of Bamenda, His Grace Andrew Fuanya Nkea