Pentecostal and revival churches in Cameroon are facing political pressure following the death of an 11-year-old girl in Yaoundé. In response, Cameroon announced a crackdown on about 1,400 revivalist churches accused of operating illegally.
VIDEO SCRIPT
Reporter: In Cameroon, Pentecostal or revival churches are facing political pressure after an incident that resulted in the death of an 11-year-old girl in Yaoundé. The girl was reportedly killed by her mother, who was alleged to have been following her pastor’s orders. Following the girl’s killing, Cameroon announced a crackdown targeting roughly 1,400 revivalist churches accused of operating illegally. Pastor Roger Mbongue is president of the leading revival church at the center of the controversy.
Pastor Roger Mbongue: In our circles, it is easy for someone to have a dream and then say, “God told me.” And it is not easy for the central administration to tell him that God told him nothing. There is a vertical relationship between God and the pastor. Some things happen that the mission cannot fully control.
Reporter: Pastor Mbongue is calling for dialogue between the state and religious leaders, rather than widespread closures and restrictions on religious services.
Senator Kouma Eugène wants to see the state and the churches find the right balance of religious freedom while maintaining order and guarding against abuse.
Senator Kouma Eugène: Listen, the state does not regulate the sacred. The state does not regulate faith. The state regulates the exercise of a public activity. So the issue here is to ensure that the exercise of faith as an activity, which we call worship, and belief, which is not regulated by the state, rather that the practice of worship complies with the laws of the state. Parliament’s role is to support the government toward a better balance, to guarantee individual freedoms on the one hand, and to manage or regulate abuses on the other.
Reporter: Threats of church closures in Cameroon are not unique, as Christian churches in other African countries are facing similar threats, with religious freedom curtailed by increasing registration requirements, noise ordinance enforcement, and other attempts to limit religious expression.
Reporting provided by Eric Dipo in Yaoundé, Cameroon. For Global News Alliance, I’m Sam Ebersole.
People Interviewed and their Titles
Pastor Roger Mbongue
Senator Kouma Eugène
Recording Location
Yaoundé, Cameroon, Africa
Organization featured in this Story
Evangelical Mission Life and Peace of Cameroon, https://mevipaccameroun.org/
Reporter/Producer for the story
Eric Dipo
Story Provider/Contact
Samuel Ebersole, GNA
Producing Organization
GNA
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