A Tribute to the Rev Dr. James Nsokika

I recently learnt of the passing into eternity of the Rev Dr. James Nsokika, a servant of the Lord who harnessed his numerous talents in the service of God’s people for almost five decades. My personal knowledge of this disciple and priest of the Roman Catholic Church is limited to a few physical interactions – the most memorable of them being my trip to interview him on an anthropological subject he was involved in during his long stay in Bali Nyonga – a subject to which I return later in this piece. However, the greater substance of my tribute has been sourced from correspondences culled from the Bonbani Network.

Fr James was a man of many accomplishments – both academic and pastoral. Ordained as a priest of the Roman Catholic Church in Buea in 1966 alongside Christian Cardinal Tumi, Bishop Francis Lysinge and the Late Fr Peter Chu, he spent most his life serving as a parish priest in different communities in the Archdiocese of Bamenda. In 2006 Fr James celebrated 40 years in the priesthood in Bali, a ceremony that reunited most of his living peers and will forever be engraved in the collective memory of Bali citizens.

Bali church
St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Bali Nyonga, Cameroon.

Fr James first came to Bali in 1978 where he served briefly as a curate. Fate would redeploy him to this beautiful land of our forefathers – this time in 1994 where he served as Parish Priest of the St Francis Xavier parish for 12 continuous long years – probably the longest he’d ever spent at any place in his priestly ministry. During his stay in Bali, he earned the name “Tita” and was fondly referred to as such by many. Fr James loved Bali and in typical anthropological fashion, immersed himself profoundly in the culture and activities of the Nyonga people. I have no doubt that many Bali citizens adored him and will remain eternally grateful to his ministry. Having worked in 15 other parishes, Fr James couldn’t help but fall in love with Bali, indeed, referring to it as his first home. In his own words “I have worked in 15 other parishes. But Bali has become almost my first home…. It is not just blowing my own trumpet, for all these years in Bali Nyonga clan, I have worked as a son of the soil – rendering my services to everyone, irrespective of creed. The ecumenical brotherhood that reigns in Bali Nyonga as a whole was my initiative since 1978.”

Thus, it is not an exaggeration to state that Fr James thought of himself and acted fully as a son of the soil. Evidence of this can be discerned in his promotion of the Mungaka Language in the Liturgy of the Word (a practice long held in the Presbyterian Church in Bali), promoting education and healthcare within the kingdom and serving the community spiritually and materially irrespective of denomination. He was not only a subscriber to the Bonbani Network, but also a frequent contributor – often feeding us with firsthand news of developments in Bali – (long before the Bali Drum came into the horizon). Bali cultural associations in the domestic and international diaspora kept contact with him as the favoured person to be relied upon in Bali. To this end, he received numerous financial contributions and dispensed of the funds as directed – always acknowledging and providing details of how the funds had been expended. Not once did we hear that he had mismanaged such funds. How easy to take this for granted (irrespective of the fact that he was an ordained minister).

Fr James’ pastoral ministry will not only be fondly remembered in Bali on account of his ecumenism, but even more importantly for the role he played in lifting the lot of the downtrodden. Perhaps, least known by non-residents of Bali was his struggle to eliminate the burden of ŋku’ suffered by many Bali women – a cultural practice that continues to this day – albeit in mitigated form. The custom of ŋku’ – (widowhood taboos) encapsulates a range of rituals and taboos that treat the bereaved woman as almost toxic. Even when permitted to go about her business, she is more or less confined to a physical and imagined space of her own, tabooed from shaking hands and sharing household items with others. Fr James, having borne witness to this vexing custom, rallied other ministers in the Presbyterian and Baptist Missions to speak up and speak out against the unChristian and degrading nature of this customary practice. Fr James was at the forefront of the movement to eradicate this custom (which even the Fon of Bali has disowned) and wrote forcefully against it. When I interviewed him in the spring of 2006, he highlighted the fact that no person of good conscience should remain indifferent to the plight of the widow. It was thanks to his activism in this area, alongside other men and women of foresight that the custom of ŋku’ has been significantly modified. His leadership in this respect deserves our recognition and celebration.

Two years ago in April 2011, Fr James amongst four other priests were elevated to the rank of Monsignor – a rank of seniority within the Roman Catholic Priesthood. This was an accolade in recognition not just of his seniority in age, but also in service. He would have celebrated his Golden jubilee as a minister in the Lord’s Vineyard in 2016 – but that special celebration has been elevated to the heavenly courts. In May 2003, the BCA-USA awarded Fr James a special recognition in honour of his “Spiritual Leadership” to the Bali community. Fr James was not only surprised by this award but expressed his gratitude so eloquently that I feel obliged to quote him.  Writing to the BCA-USA community through its leadership at the time, Dr. Wob Fomunung, Rev Fr James quoted an Italian proverb as follows: “La gratitudine e il piu bel fiore dell’animo” which in his own translation means “gratitude is the best flower of the soul”. I’d like to thank the then leadership of the BCA-USA for their vision in recognizing sincere charity of service in Fr James Nsokika.

Our own gratitude flows out from the inner precincts of our hearts – like a shooting flower in springtime, joyous and truly blessed as a community for the accomplishment rendered in Bali and elsewhere through the service of the Rev Dr. James Nsokika. While Fr James may not be remembered as the most eloquent or charismatic of persons, he was verily and truly a humble servant of God’s people. After all, aren’t these the choicest qualities required of us all from our Lord Jesus? Of what good would be our charisma, eloquence, erudition, prophecy and all kinds of talents – if these do not lift the lot of the wretched of the earth?

For 13 good years, Fr James embraced Bali as his homeland, serving all its sons and daughters to the best of his abilities without prejudice. When he was transferred in 2006, he promptly informed the Bali community at home and abroad and numerous tributes trickled in expressing both gratitude and regret for his departure. He will be profoundly missed by all and sundry – a fact that has already been lived out in Bali since 2006. Fr James, Fare thee well to your heavenly abode. Mission Accomplished!

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