In 1974, a formal twinning link between the two dioceses was formed.  It is the practical expression of co-responsibility in the Church.

Bamenda is the Provincial capital of North West Cameroon in West Africa.  In 1970 the Bamenda Diocese was created and Paul Verdzekov appointed as the first bishop.  Later the diocese of Kumbo was split from Bamenda and Cornelius Esua appointed its bishop. In January 2006, Archbishop Paul retired and Bishop Cornelius was transferred from Kumbo to succeed him.

Over nearly 30 years, 10 Portsmouth priests have worked in Bamenda, and number of Cameroonian priests have come here both to study and to work in parishes of this Diocese.  Over the years, Bishop Derek Worlock, Anthony Emery, and more recently our own Bishop Crispian have visited Bamenda regularly, and Archbishop Paul has on several occasions visited us here.  More than £800,000 from Portsmouth has been spent on the support of our priests and in many approved pastoral and development projects there.

The Bamenda Committee serves this link on behalf of the Diocese, as a channel of information and mutual support, and by administering the funds that are contributed from the annual Bamenda Sunday collection, and from parishes and other institutions who have taken on specific projects.  If you want to know more, please make contact.

Cheques in support of the link should be made payable to ‘PRCDTR Bamenda Commission’ or ‘The Bamenda Fund’ and sent to the secretary, Mrs Elizabeth White: Address: 8 Rimington Road Cowplain Waterlooville PO8 8UA; e-mail address: chalkwhite@ onetel.com .

The current chair of the Committee is Mgr Ron Hishon: Address: 2 Short Close Poole Dorset BH12 5DX; Tel: 01202 513380; e-mail address: ronhishon@ btinternet.com
Website: http://www.bamendaandportsmouth.com/