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A Catholic priest who went missing on the way to a Mission church was found dead. In Cameroon, Africa, Father Carol Tchinda Nguito, of the Mamfe Diocese, drowned after being swept away in a strong current while crossing a river.
The 37-year-old priest died on July 31st due to drowning while crossing a river to reach his pastoral mission church. He was remembered fondly by all his parishioners and those who knew him.
“Father Carol died in the line of duty, with his boots on, doing what he loved best, shepherding the flock entrusted to his care,” said Bishop Aloysius Fondong Abangalo.
The priest also kept a strong spiritual life, Bishop Abangalo said, “He was a praying Seminarian…a prayer warrior. He prayed the Stations of the Cross, the passion of Christ, every day.”
The bishop called it similar to “a power outage at night—a plunge into darkness,” where “one minute the light is shining… then, without the slightest warning, we are plunged into darkness.”
During the funeral Mass at Saint Joseph Cathedral, Abangalo, the bishop highlighted that Nguito’s life and death represented a testimony of faithful service to God and His people. The bishop noted that the priest transformed the new Christian community in Tabongkwa, from spiritual darkness into a paradise of faith and community.
“He would always share his experiences and wish he had the capacity to conquer all the evil around him,” the bishop recalled.
Born in September 1986, Father Carol lost both parents at a young age, and became responsible for the raising his siblings, becoming a father to them early in life.
“He learned how to be a father as a small boy. He brought the experience of fatherhood into the Priesthood and became a wonderful pastor,” the bishop said.
The bishop recalled the priest worked on his own hands to provide for his needs, including selling produce and apples, to support his priestly formation.
Abangalo remembered that as a Seminary lecturer, he encountered the late priest who at the time was a seminarian.
“While working closely with him…I noticed in him a valuable and available Seminarian. It was so touching,” he recalled.
He also remembered the priest’s smiles especially when he was with children, noting that had a deep love for kids.
Bishop Abangalo appointed Father Carol, as parish priest of the newly created Tabongkwa Christian community, in June 2023.
“After praying and discerning, the lot fell on Father Carol Tchinda. And what a providential choice that has turned out to be. I went to that little Saint Baptist Parish, and I couldn’t believe what I saw. Father Carol transformed darkness into paradise,” he said.
He said the late priest exercised exceptional commitment to the service of the Lord, a commitment not lost to his parishioners.
“For over two years, I have known Father Carol as a true pastor of souls, in every respect,” the bishop said, and then quoted the parish council chairperson who once said, “He loves his work. He loves us. And we love him.”
“During our last meeting… he asked me to create a WhatsApp group where we share holy prayers and novenas, and encourage each other on our priestly journey,” the Cameroonian bishop recalled.
On the day of his death, he had shared a prayer calendar for the month of August.
“He would always share his experiences and wish he had the capacity to conquer all the evil around him,” bishop Abangalo said.
The bishop urged the Christians to move in the footsteps of their late shepherd, recalling that Nguito was a man of peace even in the most troubling of times.
“He was known in the family as a man of peace and reconciliation,” he said.
“Do not let the sun go down on your anger… You never know when He will come,” he told the Christian community.
“You have lost a pastor, a father, a brother, and a friend. But rest assured—the same God who sent him to you will not abandon you,” the bishop said.
“May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Peace and Help of Christians, continue to intercede for Fr. Carol, that God may grant you eternal rest in heaven—the true home of peace. You have an ambassador in heaven. You have an intercessor. Father Carol was a hero,” Abangalo said.
Sources: Facebook Page of the Diocese of Mamfre, Cameroon
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