Cameroon bishops demand further inquiry into bishop’s death
July 21, 2017
The Catholic bishops of Cameroon have filed a formal complaint of murder in the death of Bishop jean-Marie Benoit Bala, saying that they are unsatisfied with the government’s inquiry to date.
The attorney general of Cameroon reported earlier this month that an autopsy showed “drowning is the most likely cause of the bishop’s death.” Archbishop Samuel Kleda Doula, the president of the country’s episcopal conference, emphatically disagreed, arguing that the bishop’s body was thrown into a river only after he was killed. He said, “If Msgr. Bala had drowned, there would be water in his body, but no water was found. Instead, there are clear signs of violence.”
Archbishop Kleda demanded a full investigation “so that truth is established.”
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Further information:
- Death of the Bishop of Bafia: The Episcopal Conference has lodged a complaint for murder (Fides)
- Cameroon’s bishops insist Bishop Balla was murder victim, not suicide (CWN, 7/10)
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