The Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV has appointed Reverend John Berinyuy Tata as the new Auxiliary Bishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Bamenda.
At the time of his appointment, which was announced publicly on February 13, 2026, Bishop-elect Tata was serving as the Rector of the Catholic University of Cameroon in Bamenda (CATUC). His selection marks a vote of confidence in a priest who has dedicated his life to academic excellence, spiritual formation, and pastoral service.
Born on 18 December 1975 in Mbuluf-Shisong, in the neighbouring Diocese of Kumbo, the Bishop-elect’s journey to the episcopacy has been one of quiet dedication and intellectual rigour. He began his priestly formation at the prestigious Saint Thomas Aquinas Interdiocesan Major Seminary in Bambui, Bamenda, where he studied philosophy and theology before being ordained a priest for the Archdiocese on 30 March 2005.
In the years following his ordination, Father Tata gained invaluable pastoral experience, serving first as Parish Vicar of Saint Joseph in Bafut (2005-2006) and then as Parish Priest of Saint Patrick in Babanki-Tungo (2006-2010). His thirst for deeper theological knowledge then led him to Rome, where he studied at the Pontifical Theological Faculty Teresianum. There, he specialised in Christian anthropology and was awarded a doctorate in theology.
Upon returning to Cameroon, he channelled his expertise into the formation of future priests, serving as Spiritual Director and Lecturer at his alma mater, Saint Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Bambui. He also served as chaplain to the diocesan Charismatic Movement.
Most recently, he has held the esteemed position of Rector of the Catholic University of Cameroon in Bamenda, a role in which he has worked tirelessly to foster academic and moral development in the region’s youth.
The Archdiocese of Bamenda now prepares to welcome its new Auxiliary Bishop, who will assist the Metropolitan Archbishop, His Grace Andrew Nkea, in shepherding the faithful. The appointment of a theologian with such a strong background in both pastoral care and academia is seen as a blessing for the local Church, promising a future of compassionate leadership grounded in deep spiritual and intellectual conviction.
𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐯 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐲𝐮𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐭𝐚
(NEW AUXILIARY BISHOP OF BAMENDA)
Rev. John Berinyuy Tata was born on 18 December 1975 in Mbuluf-Shisong, in the Diocese of Kumbo. He grew up in a practising Christian family. After completing his primary education (1981–1989) and secondary education (1989–1996), he attended the St John Mary Vianney Spirituality Centre in Bafut (1996–1997). He then pursued studies in philosophy (1997–2000) and theology (2001–2005) at St Thomas Aquinas Interdiocesan Major Seminary in Bambui, Bamenda, and completed a pastoral internship (2000–2001).
He was ordained a priest on 30 March 2005. He served as parish vicar of St Joseph’s Parish in Bafut (2005–2006) and as parish priest of St Patrick’s Parish in Babanki-Tungo (2006–2010). From 2006 to 2008, he furthered his studies in spirituality at the Dominican Monastery in Bambui.
He holds a Doctorate in Theology, with a specialisation in Christian Anthropology, from the Pontifical Theological Faculty of the Teresianum in Rome (2010–2015). Upon returning to Cameroon, he held various responsibilities, including teaching Spiritual Theology, serving as spiritual director and lecturer at St Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Bambui, and acting as chaplain of the Diocesan Charismatic Movement.
Until his appointment, he served as Rector of the Catholic University of Cameroon in Bamenda. He speaks Lamnso, English, French, and Italian, with working knowledge of German, Spanish and Latin, in addition to local languages.
SOURCE: Radio Evangelium – Kumbo Annex.
