Jubilee Celebration for Father Robert Tanto

GOD, HERE IS FR. ROBERT TANTO, SEND HIM.
By Bernard Afor and Immaculate Giwa (Fanny Zabu)

On Saturday the 14th of April 2007, the uncompleted Catholic Church of Binju Mission was jammed to capacity by people from within and without the Diocese of Kumbo who came to join the Christian Community of Binju Nkambe Parish to thank the Almighty God for Fr Robert Tanto who has been in the priesthood for 25 years. The Christians of Binju Nkambe Parish were astonished at the massive turn out. It was one of the occasions which has taken place in the Parish that will for ever be remembered by the Parishioners.
Present at the Silver Jubilee of Fr. Robert Tanto was the Bishop of Kumbo Diocese, Mgr George Nkuo. He saw with the jubilariant that 25 years in the priesthood is worth celebrating. He was saying this out of experience. Last year he celebrated his and realised what it meant to be faithful to one’s vocation for this length of time. He praised and encouraged Fr. Robert Tanto and other priests who were present at the celebration. There are priests who have longed for this day but to no avail. Some drop and some die before reaching 25. It was for this reason that the Bishop did everything possible to be part of this celebration. He suspended all celebrations in the Diocese of Kumbo so all could be in Binju Nkambe Parish to thank God for the wonderful works he has done to his people through Fr. Robert. There were also about 40 priests who came from the different parishes of Kumbo Diocese to join their brother Robert in thanking God.
After a word from the Chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council and the Bishop of Kumbo Diocese, it was time for Fr. Robert to respond. He did not hesitate. From the pulpit he heard a voice calling . This surprised the whole congregation. His response was simple, “Here am I, send me”. He went ahead to thank his old but strong mother who could not afford to miss this celebration though she lived in Tabenken, some 15 kilometres away from Binju. “She was my first catechist”, he said. From the reaction of the congregation, it was no doubt that they were grateful to Fr. Robert’s mother for letting her only son join this ministry. Mama, because of her age did not understand all that was said but “ I clapped my hands when I saw people clapping but I was careful not to let my wrist watch drop to the ground”, this she later told us.
The Silver Jubilee celebration did not end with Holy Mass. From Church, all the priests went down to the presbytery where they were served food and drinks. Some of them, including the Bishop left for their various parishes while others went with Fr. Robert to the Hall to continue the feasting.

This is where the few who had gifts for Fr. Robert handed the gifts to him and all had enough to eat and drink. This was followed by dancing. The people from Tabenken, Fr. Robert’s home village sang and danced so well that everyone was moved to join the dance or watch them. Robert stood to demonstrate a good mastery of his traditional dance.
The occasion did not only end in Binju Nkambe Parish. It will continue in Tabenken, Fr. Robert’s home Parish on Sunday, 6 May 2007.
Please, join us from wherever you may be to pray for Fr. Robert Tanto who has been faithful to his vocation for 25 years. God Bless Fr. Robert Tanto. We hope to celebrate another 25 years, Your Golden Jubilee.