The Visit of Msgr. Robert Peter Deeley, Bishop Emeritus of Portland, ME
Msgr. George Nkuo, the bishop of Kumbo, met with Bishop Robert Peter Deeley, the then bishop of Portland, Maine, during his visit to the United States of America in 2017. They began a conversation that led to a partnership between the two dioceses. Although Bishop Deeley retired on February 13, 2024, the partnership created in 2017 is maintained. Twelve priests from the diocese of Kumbo work in the diocese of Portland, ME.
Bishop Deeley was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Boston on July 14, 1973. He was named a prelate of honor (a Monsignor) on December 13, 1993. On January 4, 2013, he was ordained the Auxiliary Bishop of Boston, and that same year, on December 18, 2013, he was named the Bishop of Portland, ME. His installation took place on February 14, 2014.
At the invitation of Msgr. George Nkuo, the Bishop of the Diocese of Kumbo, Emeritus of Portland, Maine, USA, Msgr. Robert P. Deeley arrived in Kumbo on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. On Thursday, April 24, 2025, he ordained the two deacons into the order of the priesthood. This year, Kumbo had only two candidates for the priesthood. He braved the odds and came to Kumbo despite the socio-political turmoil in our land.
Bishop George Nkuo with Msgr. Robert Peter Deeley, Bishop Emeritus of Portland, ME on his visit last month.
During this very short visit, Bishop Deeley was on the move to catch a glimpse of some parts of the diocese of Kumbo. Saint Aloysius’ Minor Seminary was privileged in that, despite the tight schedule, he agreed with the bishop of Kumbo to visit SAMS on Monday, April 28, 2025. He was received with pomp at the entrance to the school by students and teachers in dance. He celebrated Holy Mass with us.
During his homily, reflecting on why Nicodemus went to see Jesus at night, he called on the students and all members of the SAMS community to find time to pray with Jesus. The students, on their part, felt elated to see a bishop from far away visiting them and showing them great kindness.
Msgr. Robert Peter Deeley, Bishop Emeritus of Portland, ME and Fr. Emmanuel pose with SAMS students on campus after Mass.
Before the final blessing, we gave the bishop a symbolic gift: a picture of himself flanked by other pictures from members of the SAMS community in a roll-up piece of clothes. We also gave him a face cap and a T-shirt with his image and that of Bishop George. After Mass, we took photographs with him and then ate lunch.
It was a great day. The visit of a bishop from another country, especially from the country we love so much, adds another impetus to answering the call to the priesthood. Since there are always dry moments in one’s vocational journey, such a wonderful exchange clears those moments. We are grateful to Bishop Deeley for his visit, and we apologize for the gunshots he heard on Monday before coming to SAMS. Thank you Bishop Deeley.
-Fr. Emmanuel Fale Lon