Catholic Diocese Of Buea: Father George Nkeze Apologizes To Bishop Michael Bibi

A transformative chapter in the history of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buea in Cameroon’s South West Region is unfolding. As Rev. Father George Jingwa Nkeze, founding President of the Catholic University Institute of Buea, CUIB, has issued an official letter of apology to the Local Ordinary, Most Rev. Michael Miabesue Bibi.

Hopeful Signal

The submission of the letter - and its subsequent public release authorized by Father Nkeze - signals the potential resolution of a six-year administrative, financial, and canonical impasse. That divided clergy and lay faithful of Buea Diocese and beyond. The apology letter, authored on February 6, 2026, from Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, was formally presented to the ecclesiastical community on July 29, 2026. Through an official Communiqué (Doc Ref: DB/B-BOL-132/2026) signed by Bishop Bibi from the Bishop’s House in Small Soppo, Buea.

Timeline Of The Conflict

The governance crisis originated in late 2019 and early 2020, following significant leadership transitions within the Diocese of Buea. In December 2019, Bishop Emmanuel Bushu retired. Bishop Michael Bibi was appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Buea. In May 2020, Bishop Bibi reassigned Father George Nkeze to sabbatical leave and appointed Prof.  Victor Julius Ngoh as the new President of CUIB. The decision was met with resistance from CUIB leadership regarding university statutes.

Apostolic Nuncio’s Clarification

In June 2020, the Vatican’s Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon confirmed Bishop Bibi's sole authority over all diocesan temporal goods and institutions. From 2020–2024, Father Nkeze departed for the United States. Legal suits were filed in civil courts, accompanied by public exchanges over canonical threats and the governance of university assets.

In February 2026, Father Nkeze sent a formal letter of apology to Bishop Bibi from Scottsdale, Arizona. The letter was formally acknowledged on July 29, 2026 by Bishop Bibi when he issued an official Communiqué releasing the apology letter to the public. And promising a canonical reply to bring the matter to a definitive conclusion.

Tug Of War Over CUIB

Established in 2010 as an entrepreneurial university under Bishop Emeritus Emmanuel Bushu, CUIB was built with significant international partnerships and internal operational frameworks. Father George Nkeze served as pioneer President and Pro-Chancellor. But when Pope Francis appointed then-Auxiliary Bishop Michael Bibi as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Buea in December 2019 (and later Local Ordinary in January 2021), Bishop Bibi undertook comprehensive measures to audit and streamline diocesan temporal assets.  And a fundamental rift then emerged over the institutional governance of CUIB.

Claim Of Autonomy: Father Nkeze and members of the CUIB Board of Trustees maintained that CUIB operated under autonomous corporate statutes separate from standard parish governance. Citing long-term employment contracts and board structures established under Bishop Bushu.

Episcopal Prerogative: Bishop Bibi asserted that under Canon Law (Canon 381 and Canons 1276–1289), all Catholic institutions established by a diocese remain under the direct governance and oversight of the sitting Bishop. On May 29, 2020, Bishop Bibi relieved Father Nkeze of his duties at CUIB, appointing Prof. Victor Julius Ngoh as President. The move faced stiff opposition from the university's sitting board, leading to civil court litigation, public petitions, and canonical appeals to the Holy See.

The Apostolic Nunciature in Yaoundé issued clarification affirming that the Apostolic Administrator possessed full, unhindered jurisdiction over all ecclesiastical entities in the diocese. Rendering any opposing board resolutions null and void. Shortly thereafter, Father Nkeze relocated to the United States.

Unfulfilled Directives, Episcopal Conditions

In the years following his departure, the Diocese of Buea outlined explicit conditions for Father Nkeze to regularize his canonical standing. Father Nkeze’s delayed compliance with these directives prolonged the dispute.

Physical, Financial Handover: Bishop Bibi mandated a comprehensive, audited handover of CUIB operations. Including financial records, bank signatory rights, legal title documents, and digital infrastructure - to the new administration. The lack of a formal, in-person handover remained a central point of contention.

Withdrawal Of Court Proceedings: Ecclesiastical law mandates that dispute resolution between clergy and diocesan authorities must take place within canonical structures. Bishop Bibi directed that all civil lawsuits initiated by parties associated with CUIB governance against the bishopric be unconditionally withdrawn.

Return To Diocese’s Jurisdiction: Father Nkeze was instructed to present himself physically in the Diocese of Buea to account for his stewardship and receive a valid pastoral assignment. His residence in the United States without explicit formal exclauration or formal leave of absence created ongoing canonical friction.