The Anglican Parish of St. Therese in Yegassi, located in the Okola district of Cameroon’s Centre Region, witnessed a historic occasion on Monday, August 3, 2026, as Her Grace Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury, visited the rural congregation during her pastoral tour of the country.
Arriving at the parish following engagements in Douala, Buea, and Limbe, the spiritual leader was warmly welcomed with traditional songs and dances performed by joyful worshippers. Accompanied by prominent religious leaders, including Rt. Rev. Dibo Thomas-Babyngton Elango, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Cameroon, and parish priest Mgr. Djemo Ndedi Depassion, the Archbishop’s visit underscored the church’s strategic expansion in the area, highlighted by the development of a parish complex on a 1,500-square-meter plot.
A central highlight of the pastoral visit was the presentation of an agricultural breakthrough designed to support the local economy, which relies heavily on cocoa farming. Worshippers recounted how their cocoa plantations had been devastated by Phytophthora palmivora, a destructive plant disease that severely threatened the livelihoods of local families. In response to the crisis, Mgr. Djemo developed an innovative treatment made from local ash resources, referred to as Agro Vita System 27 (or Agro-Vital V7 System). The application of this cost-effective fungicide successfully halted the spread of the disease, revived crop yields, and restored economic stability to farming households across the community.
Beyond primary crop protection, the St. Therese parish has actively guided farmers in value-addition initiatives, promoting the local processing and conservation of harvested cocoa into butter and powder. Deeply moved by the testimony of how faith and practical innovation intersected to solve a real-world crisis, Archbishop Sarah Mullally likened the initiative to biblical stories of divine inspiration, such as that of Jacob.
She commended the local clergy for demonstrating that the message of the Gospel extends beyond pulpit sermons into active, tangible service that directly improves the material well-being of the surrounding population.
Addressing the congregation and representatives of the press, the Archbishop highlighted the vital role that religious institutions play at the heart of rural society. She encouraged believers to remain steadfast in their faith, reminding them that God operates in both times of struggle and periods of abundance.
Reaffirming that true faith is manifested through acts of kindness and community support, she urged the Church in Cameroon to stay united and continue proclaiming the Gospel through both word and practical action, thereby fostering sustainable local development throughout the region.
Following the service, where she offered prayers of protection and blessing over the parish, Archbishop Sarah Mullally returned to Yaoundé to continue her official itinerary. Having been escorted earlier in the day by Minister of Territorial Administration Atanga Nji Paul and meeting with religious leaders at the Hilton Hotel, her pastoral itinerary concluded with a high-level audience with Cameroonian Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute.
This official engagement further cemented the collaborative relationship between the Anglican Communion and the state in advancing social welfare and community empowerment.
