Pope Leo XIV appoints former kidnapping victim Father John Berinyuy Tatah as auxiliary bishop in Bamenda Cameroon after weeks of captivity

There are moments when the Church’s story feels almost too dramatic to believe. This is one of them.

Just months after being abducted in Cameroon’s troubled northwest, Father John Berinyuy Tatah has been appointed auxiliary bishop of the Bamenda Archdiocese by Pope Leo XIV.

The news was made public on February 13 by the Holy See Press Office. For many Catholics in the region, it feels symbolic. A priest who endured captivity is now being called to help shepherd a flock still living with uncertainty and unrest.

From Mbuluf to the Episcopal Office

Born on December 18, 1975, in Mbuluf-Shisong in the Diocese of Kumbo, Berinyuy’s path to the episcopacy has been steady and deeply rooted in formation.

He studied philosophy and theology at St. Thomas Aquinas Interdiocesan Major Seminary in Bambui, in the Bamenda region. Ordained a priest for Kumbo Diocese on March 30, 2005, he quickly became known for his calm presence and intellectual depth.

He later pursued advanced studies in spirituality at the Dominican monastery in Bambui and went on to earn a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Theological Faculty Teresianum in Rome, specializing in Christian anthropology.

That focus on the human person — dignity, freedom, moral responsibility — would later take on a striking relevance in light of his own ordeal.

A Pastor, Teacher and Spiritual Guide

Over the years, he served as parish vicar at St. Joseph in Bafut and then as parish priest at St. Patrick in Babanki-Tungo. Parishioners remember him as approachable, thoughtful and quietly firm.

He also worked as a spiritual director and lecturer at St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary and served as chaplain to the diocesan charismatic movement.

Most recently, he became rector of the Catholic University of Cameroon in Bamenda — a role that placed him at the center of Catholic higher education in a region deeply affected by conflict.

The Bamenda Archdiocese itself is significant. According to 2022 figures, it serves more than 615,000 Catholics in a population of about 1.46 million — roughly 42 percent of the local population.

Once consecrated, Bishop-elect Berinyuy will assist Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya in guiding that large and often strained community.

The Abduction That Shocked the Faithful

On November 15, 2025, Berinyuy was among six Catholic priests abducted in the Bamenda Archdiocese.

The kidnappings unfolded against the backdrop of the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon, an ongoing conflict that has displaced hundreds of thousands and strained relations between separatist groups and government forces since 2016.

Berinyuy was the last of the six priests to be released, regaining freedom on December 2 after more than two weeks in captivity. In a video shared on social media shortly after his release, he spoke without bitterness. Instead, he called for dialogue and peace.

He described how he and fellow priests were arrested while accompanying church officials during an event in Ndop. His tone was striking — less focused on blame, more on reconciliation.

He appealed for justice, peace and a lasting solution to what he called “the problems that we are facing.”

A Wider Pattern of Church Leaders Targeted

Sadly, kidnappings of clergy are not new in parts of Central and West Africa. Both Cameroon and neighboring Nigeria have seen repeated abductions of priests, religious sisters and seminarians.

In response to the November incidents, Pope Leo XIV publicly expressed sorrow over the kidnappings of priests, Christians and students in the region, urging authorities to act swiftly to secure their freedom.

The appointment of Berinyuy now carries weight beyond routine Church administration. It signals resilience — and perhaps recognition of a priest who has lived through the very instability affecting his people.

A Church That Stands in the Middle

The Catholic Church in Cameroon often finds itself walking a delicate line. On one hand, it advocates for peace and dialogue.

On the other, it operates in areas where trust in institutions has been eroded. Archbishop Nkea himself has been vocal about the need for reconciliation in the Anglophone regions.

By appointing Berinyuy as auxiliary bishop, Rome appears to be reinforcing leadership in a region that needs both spiritual authority and lived experience of suffering.

His background in theology and spirituality, combined with his personal trial, may shape the tone of his ministry in the years ahead.

What’s next?

Before he begins his episcopal ministry, Bishop-elect Berinyuy will be consecrated in a ceremony that is likely to draw large crowds from across the region.

In conflict-affected areas, such events often double as moments of collective encouragement.

Observers will also watch how he balances academic leadership — given his role in Catholic higher education — with pastoral duties in parishes and diocesan governance.

The Bamenda Archdiocese continues to navigate insecurity, displacement and the pastoral needs of a population weary of violence.

There will also be quiet questions about whether his experience of abduction influences Church engagement with both civil authorities and separatist groups.

His public emphasis on dialogue suggests he will continue advocating for peaceful solutions.

Summary

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Father John Berinyuy Tatah, a Cameroonian priest who was abducted in November 2025 and later released, as auxiliary bishop of the Bamenda Archdiocese.

Born in 1975 and ordained in 2005, Berinyuy has served as parish priest, seminary lecturer, spiritual director and rector of the Catholic University of Cameroon.

His appointment comes amid ongoing unrest in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions, where clergy and civilians have faced repeated kidnappings.

Once consecrated, he will assist Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya in leading more than 615,000 Catholics in the archdiocese. For many, his elevation represents both continuity and quiet defiance in the face of instability.