Cameroonian Catholic Bishop Warns Women: Priests Are Off-Limits for Marriage

In a recent pastoral engagement held on July 30, 2026, the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buea, Cameroon, Michael Bibi, addressed a pressing concern within his diocese. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the trend of women and girls pursuing romantic relationships with priests, who have dedicated their lives to serving God and the Church through a vow of celibacy. According to the Cameroon News Agency, Bishop Bibi emphasized that these clerics will not marry and cannot engage in romantic relationships, urging the women to redirect their attention to other eligible men within the diocese. 'Stop pursuing or running behind priests romantically. Priests will never marry you and cannot live with you as husbands,' he advised. The Bishop encouraged the women to focus on finding suitable partners among the many single young men available for marriage, allowing priests to maintain their focus on their pastoral duties without unnecessary distractions. He stressed the importance of respecting the priests' vocation and commitment to celibacy, saying, 'Leave priests free to carry out their sacred duties.' By doing so, Bishop Bibi hopes to foster a healthier and more respectful relationship between the clergy and the faithful within his diocese.