Sir Dr. Barrister Nico Halle, a prominent Cameroonian lawyer, peace advocate, and committed Christian of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC), has called on Christians of the denomination to use the funeral celebrations of the late Very Rev. Dr. Festus Asana as a platform for genuine reconciliation.
In a voice message addressed to the clergy and laity of the PCC on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, the dedicated and devoted former CMF national president said the arrival of the mortal remains of the former PCC Moderator in Douala on Friday, August 7, 2026, should mark the beginning of a spiritual journey towards healing and unity within the church.
He described the late Rev. Dr. Festus Asana as a “fallen icon” and a “spiritual colossus” whose life and service to the church deserved to be celebrated with sincerity, humility, and reflection.
Sir. Dr. Barrister Nico Halle praised the current PCC Moderator, Rt. Rev. Miki Hans Abia, for presenting what he described as a comprehensive funeral program for the departed church leader. He particularly appreciated the decision to dedicate Sunday, August 9, 2026, to sermons and activities focused on repentance, remorse, forgiveness and reconciliation in all PCC congregations in Cameroon and the diaspora.
According to him, moments such as funerals, anniversaries, weddings, promotions, and other major gatherings provide opportunities created by God for people to repair broken relationships.
“This time around, it is a platform created by the funeral arrangements of the departed Moderator Asana Festus,” Nico Halle said, urging Christians to embrace the opportunity.
Acknowledging divisions within the church
The peace advocate said the PCC must not pretend that everything has been normal and harmonious in recent years, particularly after he wrote a letter addressing the leadership of the church in 2024 concerning elections.
He recalled that the late Moderator was subjected to insults, attacks, and criticism by some members of the church, including some pastors. “Truth be told, he had actually forgiven everybody who insulted him, who hurt him, who wrote trash and filth about him,” Halle said, describing Asana as a true man of God.
He urged Christians to also acknowledge the tensions, resentment, and divisions that have affected relationships within the denomination. According to him, some people who spoke against the hostility and conflicts within the church were themselves attacked, but he insisted that the moment had come to move beyond bitterness.
The veteran Cameroonian lawyer and internationally recognized peace crusader with 210 awards, both nationally and internationally, said his message was being shared under the theme: “The Odyssey, the pilgrimage of the Very Rev. Dr. Festus Asana, creating a platform for total reconciliation of the PCC.”
He accepted responsibility for appealing and called on Christians to put hatred, rejection, and resentment behind them.
“Vengeance belongs to God,” he said, warning that the spiritual division experienced within the church had created situations where some pastors no longer greeted each other, some Christians avoided their pastors, and some believers no longer participated fully in church activities.
He described this situation as unacceptable and urged members to begin reconciliation before receiving the late Moderator’s remains, attending the funeral service at Buea Station Church on August 12, 2026, or participating in the final burial ceremony at PC Ntamulung and Bafut on August 14, 2026.
Forgiveness does not erase wrongdoing
He stressed that forgiveness should not be misunderstood as denying that wrongs were committed. “Forgiving does not mean that there was no wrongdoing. You forgive to free yourself from unnecessary bitterness and pain,” he said.
He appealed for a future PCC where justice, fairness, and accountability would guide relationships and decision-making. He warned against exclusion, manipulation, betrayal, and practices that could recreate divisions after the funeral ceremonies.
“We have all come short of God’s glory,” he said, calling on Christians to abandon megalomania, greed, narcissism, and self-righteousness.
The launch PC Christian acknowledged that his message was not coming from someone claiming perfection, saying everyone is judged daily by those who interact with them.
Warning against misuse of scripture
The refined and no-nonsense statesman also addressed what he described as the misuse of biblical teachings, particularly the phrase “do not judge." He argued that judgment, when understood as evaluation and accountability, remains necessary in society and within the church.
He noted that appointments, promotions, transfers, and elections within the PCC require discernment and assessment. According to him, using scripture to avoid correction or accountability amounts to a cover-up.
He also criticized statements such as “nobody is perfect” or “who can throw the first stone” when used as excuses to continue wrongdoing. While admitting that everyone is a sinner, Sir. Dr. Barrister Nico Halle said human imperfections should not become a justification for repeated mistakes.
He condemned any attempt to manipulate church structures, doctor the church constitution, rig elections, form secret groups, engage in corruption, discrimination, tribalism, favouritism, or abuse of power. “These things must stop in the church,” he said.
Appeal to Festus Asana’s family
Sir. Dr. Barrister Nico Halle also sent a message of encouragement to Nyango Jenny Asana, wife of the late Moderator, and their children. He described her as a simple, humble, dynamic, and spiritual woman and urged the family to remain strong and forgive those who attacked Rev. Dr. Festus Asana when he called for free, fair, transparent, credible, and peaceful church elections.
He said the family should forgive repeatedly and attend all funeral events with genuine smiles, even towards those who had criticized the late Moderator. “Let God take total control of what is happening,” he said.
A call for genuine Christian reflection
Barrister Nico Halle said the funeral celebrations in Douala, Buea, Ntamulung, and Bafut would lose their spiritual meaning if reconciliation was not achieved. He urged pastors and Christians alike to reflect, pray, and ask God for forgiveness before accompanying the late Moderator’s remains.
“This is an opportunity to celebrate the life of a genuine pastor, but also to celebrate our own lives if we have been living spiritually,” he said.
He ended his message by reminding Christians that salvation comes from God alone and that no human being possesses salvation to distribute to others. He accompanied his appeal with biblical references, including 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Matthew 22:37-39, 2 Timothy 3:12, Matthew 6:33, Proverbs 22:1, Matthew 7:12 and Matthew 7:21. “To God be the glory and honour,” he concluded.
Sir Dr. Barrister Nico Halle is a renowned Cameroonian lawyer, former President of the Cameroon Bar Association, former National President of the Christian Men Fellowship (CMF) of the PCC, corruption expert, international peace advocate and Global Peace Ambassador.
He is recognized for decades of work in human rights, anti-corruption advocacy, and peacebuilding, with more than 210 national and international recognitions.
@Laarry Times
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