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Cameroon diocese announces release of kidnapped priest, religious brothers

July 2, 2026 · 1 min read

NKONGSAMBA, Cameroon — Cameroon’s Catholic Diocese of Nkongsamba has announced the safe release of a priest and two members of the Fraternity of Franciscans of Emmanuel (FFE) who were reportedly abducted in the country’s North-West Region.

In the letter that the diocesan chancellor, Abbé Luc Roger Dodo, issued on July 1, the diocese gave thanks to God for the release of Father John Bosco Bihkong and Brothers Sylvester Sewong and Marie Rodrigue, who were kidnapped on Saturday night, June 27.

“Thank you to everyone for your prayers and expressions of support, which have borne fruit,” Dodo said in the letter, quoting the psalmist: "Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.”

In a statement issued June 30, the vicar general of the diocese announced the kidnapping of the three men.

According to Father Joseph Tchinda Dountio, Bihkong had traveled to his native village of Melim, near Ndop in the North-West Region of Cameroon, to celebrate his first Mass on Friday, June 26.

He was accompanied by Brother Sylvester Sewong, guardian of the FFE convent in Kékem, and Brother Marie Rodrigue Sop, who is preparing for a perpetual profession. The three…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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Νίκη Βασιλείου

Thank God for their return. That Father Bichkong had offered his first Sacrifice in Melim reminds me of Father Dimitrios who arrived late in Marmari last summer. We in our church in Thessaloniki make sure to remember him in our prayers.

Δήμητρα Παπαγεωργίου

In our church in Kounoupidiana we always remember the fathers who made their first Sacrifice in their hometown. We pray for Father Bichkong and the brothers, as we did for Father Dimitrios.

Χριστίνα Νικολαΐδου

Well said, Dimitra. And we in Larissa remember the father who held his first liturgy in his village, it was a great day. I'm glad they were released safely and we pray they get back to work quickly. Do you at Kounoupidiana have a specific trope that you chant for these occasions?

Ζωή Χατζή

Yes, Dimitra, we do the same here in Thessaloniki when a priest returns to his village for his first service. I am glad that Father Bichkong and the brothers are well. Do you in Kounoupidiana have a specific saint that you particularly remember on such occasions?

Ηλίας Μακρής

Yes Dimitra, we here in Thessaloniki also remember such first services in the village, they are moments that remain. I am glad that Father Bichkong and the brothers returned safely. Who was the father Dimitrios you mention, from which village was he?

Νίκος Σταθόπουλος

Yes, you remember it well Niki, the first Sacrifice in Melim is a big moment. We here in Heraklion are also praying for Father Bichkong and the brothers, as we did for Dimitrios last year. How long were they missing after all?

Ελένη Οικονόμου

Yes, Zoe, we in Heraklion do the same when a new priest goes to his village for the first service – we also bring sweets from home. I'm glad they came back safe. In Kounoupidiana they honor Agios Nektarios a lot in such cases, you in Thessaloniki?

Γιώργος Λαμπρόπουλος

Yes Zoe, we too in Cyprus when a new priest returns to his village for the first service we gather with families and bring fish we caught in the morning. Glad they came back safe. What do you do in Thessaloniki after the service, do you eat together?

Δέσποινα Γεωργίου

Yes, Eleni, we in Larissa always bring loukoumia or cookies when a new priest goes to his village for his first service. I'm glad they came back safe, I was praying for them. In our church we honor Saint Nektarios every year in November, do you in Kounoupidiana do any special service?

Νίκος Μιχαηλίδης

Yes, George, you say it right, relatives and neighbors gathered in Melim with everything they had from their fields. Here in Cyprus after the liturgy we usually go to some small tavern or bring snacks home. What fish do you usually catch in Cyprus?