The Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth and the Archdiocese of Bamenda, Cameroon are celebrating over 50 years of close cooperation through their historic twinning, welcoming the UK High Commissioner to Cameroon, Matt Woods, to Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Portsmouth on 29 September, to mark the occasion.
The High Commissioner met the Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Rev Philip Egan, priests from Bamenda, and members of the local community to celebrate the deep personal and spiritual connections between them that have grown from their long-standing collaboration.
Established in 1974, the twinning partnership has enabled the exchange of priests for study and work and provided practical and financial support for development projects in Bamenda, the capital of the North-West region and part of the Anglophone region.
Speaking during the visit, High Commissioner Woods said
The enduring partnership between Portsmouth and Bamenda is a testament to the strength of community-led international cooperation. It reflects the UK’s broader commitment to supporting peace, education and humanitarian relief in Cameroon. I am honoured to celebrate this milestone and reaffirm our support for those affected by conflict in Cameroon.
The UK has consistently stood by the people of Cameroon and works closely with partners to promote stability, protect vulnerable populations, and ensure access to essential services across Cameroon.
Over the last 5 years, the UK Government has provided over £20 million in humanitarian assistance across Cameroon to save lives and alleviate suffering. The UK Government has also supported the UN’s Education Cannot Wait programme, which provides education support to children.
