# Christian Tumi

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Catholic cardinal (1930–2021)

His Eminence Christian Tumi Cardinal, Archbishop Emeritus of Douala Tumi in September 2019. Church Catholic Church Archdiocese Douala Appointed 31 August 1991 Term ended 17 November 2009 Predecessor Simon Tonyé Successor Samuel Kleda Other post Cardinal-Priest of Santi Martiri dell'Uganda a Poggio Ameno (1988-2021) Previous posts Bishop of Yagoua (1979–82) Coadjutor Archbishop of Garoua (1982–84) Archbishop of Garoua (1984–91) President of the Cameroon Episcopal Conference (1985–91) Orders Ordination 17 April 1966 by Julius Joseph Willem Peeters Consecration 6 January 1980 by John Paul II Created cardinal 28 June 1988 by John Paul II Rank Cardinal-Priest Personal details Born Christian Wiyghan Tumi (1930-10-15)15 October 1930 Kikaikelaki, Cameroons Died 3 April 2021(2021-04-03) (aged 90) Douala, Cameroon Alma mater University of Fribourg Motto Me voici je viens faire ta volonté Coat of arms

Styles of Christian Cardinal Tumi Reference style His Eminence Spoken style Your Eminence Informal style Cardinal See Douala

**Christian Wiyghan Tumi**[*[pronunciation?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Pronunciation)*] (15 October 1930 – 3 April 2021) was a Cameroonian prelate of the [Catholic Church](/source/Catholic_Church) who was archbishop of [Douala](/source/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Douala) from 1991 to 2009. He was bishop of [Yagoua](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Yagoua) from 1980 to 1982. After serving as coadjutor bishop of [Garoua](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Garoua) beginning in 1982, he was bishop there from 1984 to 1991. He was made a [cardinal](/source/Cardinal_(Catholic_Church)) 1988. Tumi was the first and so far the only cardinal from Cameroon.[1]

## Early life and ordination

Born on 15 October 1930 in Kikaikelaki, a small village near [Kumbo](/source/Kumbo), in the Nso clan of the [Northwest Region](/source/Northwest_Region_(Cameroon)) of Cameroon, Tumi studied at local seminaries in Cameroon and [Nigeria](/source/Nigeria). He trained as a teacher in Nigeria and London, then earned a licentiate in theology in the [Catholic University of Lyon](/source/Catholic_University_of_Lyon) and a doctorate in philosophy at the [University of Fribourg](/source/University_of_Fribourg), [Switzerland](/source/Switzerland). He was ordained a priest of the [Diocese of Buéa](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Bu%C3%A9a) on 17 April 1966, and then served as a [Vicar](/source/Vicar) in [Soppo](/source/Soppo) for a year before becoming a professor at Bishop Rogan College's seminary. After studying abroad from 1969 to 1973, he returned to his diocese and was named rector of the seminary in [Bambui](/source/Bambui).

## Bishop and cardinal

Cardinal Tumi Grand Dialogue (cropped)

On 6 December 1979, Tumi was appointed the first bishop of the Diocese of [Yagoua](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Yagoua).[2] He received his episcopal consecration on 6 January 1980 from Pope John Paul II. On 19 November 1982 he was named archbishop coadjutor of Garoua[3] and he succeeded as archbishop there when his predecessor's resignation was accepted on 17 March 1984.

In 1982 he was elected vice president of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon and in 1985 its president, a post he held until 1991.

[Pope John Paul II](/source/Pope_John_Paul_II) made him a cardinal on 28 June 1988,[4] assigning him as [Cardinal-Priest](/source/Cardinal-Priest) the title of Santi Martiri dell'Uganda a Poggio Ameno on 28 June 1988. On 6 July 1991 he was named a member of the [Pontifical Council for Dialogue with Non-Believers](/source/Pontifical_Council_for_Dialogue_with_Non-Believers).[5] Tumi was named the Archbishop of Douala on 31 August 1991. He was one of the [cardinal electors](/source/Cardinal_electors_in_Papal_conclave%2C_2005) who participated in the [2005 papal conclave](/source/Papal_conclave%2C_2005) that elected [Pope Benedict XVI](/source/Pope_Benedict_XVI).[6]

Tumi was critical of the government's attempt to suppress Anglophone culture in Cameroon and advocated a federation to allow the Francophone and Anglophone regions to coexist in Cameroon.[7]

In 2009, Tumi led thousands in a march in [Douala](/source/Douala) to protest Cameroon's endorsement of the [Maputo Protocol](/source/Maputo_Protocol), a women's rights charter promoted by the [African Union](/source/African_Union). Critics of the document believe it will ease restrictions on abortion and promote homosexuality.[8] In a 2007 sermon he denounced [child sexual abuse](/source/Child_sexual_abuse) as a scandal and the shame of contemporary society.[9] In 2005, Tumi told an interviewer that the use of condoms as protection against AIDS within marriage "makes sense", though he doubted the Church's prohibition on their use would change.[10]

Cardinal Tumi Grand Dialogue

Tumi was kidnapped on 5 November 2020, and released unharmed on 6 November 2020; his captors released video footage of their interrogation of Tumi.[11][12]

## Death

Tumi died in a hospital in [Douala](/source/Douala) on 3 April 2021 in the early hours following an illness.[13] After a video of his corpse in the hospital bed was released on the [Internet](/source/Internet); authorities denounced it as a violation of privacy and ordered an investigation.[14]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Foute, Franck (3 April 2021). ["Décès de Christian Tumi, premier cardinal camerounais"](https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1148608/politique/cameroun-deces-de-christian-tumi-premier-cardinal-dafrique-centrale/). *Jeune Afrique* (in French). Retrieved 4 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [*Acta Apostolicae Sedis*](http://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-72-1980-ocr.pdf) (PDF). Vol. LXXII. 1980. p. 252. Retrieved 4 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [*Acta Apostolicae Sedis*](http://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-75-1983-I-ocr.pdf) (PDF). Vol. LXXV. 1983. p. 174. Retrieved 4 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Concistoro per la Creazione di 24 Nuovi Cardinali nel Palazzo Apostolico Vaticano"](http://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/it/speeches/1988/june/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19880628_concistoro.html) (in Italian). Libreria Editrice Vaticana. 28 June 1988. Retrieved 4 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [*Acta Apostolicae Sedis*](http://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-83-1991-ocr.pdf) (PDF). Vol. LXXXIII. 1991. p. 908. Retrieved 5 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Precedence_6-0)** ["Elenco degli Em.mi Cardinali che entrano in Conclave secondo il loro rispettivo ordine di precedenza (Vescovi, Presbiteri, Diaconi)"](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2005/04/18/0225/00461.html) [List of the Eminent Cardinals entering into Conclave according to their respective order of precedence (Bishops, Priests, Deacons)]. *[Sala Stampa della Santa Sede](/source/Holy_See_Press_Office)* (in Italian). 18 April 2005. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140309025237/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2005/04/18/0225/00461.html) from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Tumi, Christian (27 January 2020). ["Cardinal Tumi says things improving in Cameroon's troubled Anglophone areas"](https://cruxnow.com/interviews/2020/01/cardinal-tumi-says-things-improving-in-cameroons-troubled-anglophone-areas/). *Crux* (Interview). Retrieved 4 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Marche anti-avortement au Cameroun"](https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2009/07/11/01011-20090711FILWWW00489-marche-anti-avortement-au-cameroun.php). *Le Figaro* (in French). [Agence France-Presse](/source/Agence_France-Presse). 7 November 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Les abus sexuels sur les jeunes sont un véritable scandale, et une honte pour notre société"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081204135258/http://www.cardinalrating.com/cardinal_115__article_5160.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.cardinalrating.com/cardinal_115__article_5160.htm) on 4 December 2008. Retrieved 12 October 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Kamerun: Kardinal für Kondome zum Schutz vor Aids in Ehe"](https://www.derstandard.at/story/2219268/kamerun-kardinal-fuer-kondome-zum-schutz-vor-aids-in-ehe). *Der Standard* (in German). 24 October 2005. Retrieved 5 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BC_11-0)** ["Cameroon: Kidnappers free former Archbishop Tumi near Kumbo"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54833039). *BBC News*. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Atemanke, Jude (9 November 2020). ["What Cameroonian Cardinal was Told by His Captors During Nightlong Abduction"](https://www.aciafrica.org/news/2315/what-cameroonian-cardinal-was-told-by-his-captors-during-nightlong-abduction). ACI Africa. Retrieved 5 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Archbishop Emeritus of Douala, Christian Cardinal Tumi dies at 90"](https://algerie9.com/archbishop-emeritus-of-douala-christian-cardinal-tumi-dies-at-90). Algerie9. 3 April 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2021.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Cameroon: Investigations opened after video of Cardinal Tumi's corpse goes viral"](https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/cameroon-investigations-opened-after-video-of-cardinal-tumis-corpse-goes-viral/). *Journal du Cameroun*. Journal du Cameroon. 3 April 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2021.

**Additional sources**

- Jumbam, Martin (2014). *My Conversion Journey with Christian Cardinal Tumi*. Langaa RPCIG.

## External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to ***[Christian Wiyghan Tumi](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Christian_Wiyghan_Tumi)***.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Christian Wiyghan Tumi](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Christian_Wiyghan_Tumi).

- ["Tumi Card. Christian Wiyghan"](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_tumi_cw.html). [Holy See Press Office](/source/Holy_See_Press_Office). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170904064404/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_tumi_cw.html) from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.

- ["Christian Wiyghan Cardinal Tumi"](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/btumi.html). *Catholic Hierarchy*.

Catholic Church titles Preceded by Louis Charpenet Bishop of Yagoua 6 December 1979 – 19 November 1982 Succeeded by Antoine Ntalou Preceded by Yves-Joseph-Marie Plumey Archbishop of Garoua 17 March 1984 – 31 August 1991 Preceded by Jean Zoa President of the Episcopal Conference of Cameroon 1985 – 1991 Succeeded by Jean-Baptiste Ama Titular church created Cardinal-Priest of Santi Martiri dell’Uganda a Poggio Ameno 28 June 1988 – 2 April 2021 Succeeded by Peter Okpaleke Preceded by Gabriel Gonsum Ganaka President of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar 1990 – 1994 Succeeded by Gabriel Gonsum Ganaka Preceded by Simon Tonyé Archbishop of Douala 31 August 1991 – 17 November 2009 Succeeded by Samuel Kleda

v t e Cardinals created by John Paul II 1979 Casaroli Caprio Cé Righi-Lambertini Căn Civardi Corripio y Ahumada Asajiro Satowaki Etchegaray Ballestrero Ó Fiaich Carter Macharski Rubin Kung Pin-mei 1983 Khoraish Yago Sabattani Kuharić Casoria Lebrún Moratinos Bernardin Kitbunchu do Nascimento López Trujillo Danneels Williams Martini Lustiger Glemp Vaivods Meisner de Lubac 1985 Dadaglio Lourdusamy Arinze Fresno Innocenti Obando y Bravo Mayer Suquía Goicoechea Hamer Vidal Gulbinowicz Tzadua Tomko Lubachivsky Deskur Poupard Vachon Decourtray Castillo Lara Wetter Piovanelli Simonis Gagnon Stickler Law O'Connor Biffi Pavan 1988 Martínez Somalo Silvestrini Felici Grégoire Padiyara Freire Falcão Giordano dos Santos Canestri Javierre Ortas Pimenta Revollo Bravo Clancy Moreira Neves Hickey Szoka Paskai Tumi Groër Martin Hensbach Sladkevičius Margéot Wu 1991 Sodano Todea Laghi Cassidy Coffy Etsou-Nzabi-Bamungwabi López Rodríguez Sanchez Noè Quarracino Angelini Mahony Posadas Ocampo Bevilacqua Saldarini Daly Ruini Korec Schwery Sterzinsky del Mestri Dezza 1994 Sfeir Vlk Poggi Shirayanagi Fagiolo Furno Oviedo Cavada Winning Suárez Rivera Ortega y Calamino Darmaatmadja Schotte Eyt Agustoni Wamala Keeler Vargas Alzamora Turcotte Carles Gordó Maida Puljić Razafindratandra Tụng Sandoval Íñiguez Echeverría Ruiz Świątek Tonini Koliqi Congar Grillmeier 1998 Medina Estévez Bovone Castrillón Hoyos Antonelli Stafford De Giorgi Fernandes de Araújo Rouco Varela Ambrozic Balland Tettamanzi Pengo Schönborn Rivera Carrera George Shan Kuo-hsi Kozłowiecki Cheli Colasuonno Monduzzi Jaworski Pujats 2001 Re Thuận Cacciavillan Sebastiani Grocholewski Saraiva Martins Sepe Mejía Daoud Pompedda Kasper Degenhardt González Zumárraga Dias Majella Agnelo Rubiano Sáenz McCarrick Connell Bačkis Errázuriz Ossa Terrazas Sandoval Napier Rodríguez Maradiaga Agré Billé Velasco Cipriani Thorne Álvarez Martínez Hummes Vithayathil Bergoglio Policarpo Poletto Murphy-O'Connor Egan Huzar Lehmann Ghattas Honoré Tucci Scheffczyk Dulles 2003 Tauran Martino Marchisano Herranz Casado Lozano Barragán Hamao Nicora Scola Okogie Panafieu Zubeir Wako Amigo Vallejo Rigali O'Brien Scheid Antonelli Bertone Turkson Toppo Pell Bozanić Mẫn Quezada Toruño Barbarin Erdő Ouellet Cottier Joos Špidlík Nagy Catholic Church portal

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Christian Tumi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Tumi) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Tumi?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.