Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea Nunciatures: José Avelino Bettencourt is Here!
The new Apostolic Nuncio of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt is finally in Cameroon!
Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt arrived Cameroon this November 3, 2023 and was received by the President of the National Episcopal Conference, Archbishop of Bamenda, Andrew Nkea and a host of Bishops from Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.
He was appointed to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea on August 30, 2023, by Pope Francis.
Who is His Lordship José Avelino Bettencourt?
José Avelino Bettencourt was born on May 23, 1962 in Velas, Azores in Portugal.
He was ordained Priest on May 29, 1993, in the Archdiocese of Ottawa, Canada, where he served till February 26, 2018.
The Priest then entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1999 and served in the Apostolic Nunciature to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He served as Chaplain of His Holiness from April 11, 2003, to March 27, 2010, when he became Prelate of Honour of His Holiness till February 26, 2018.
The learned Priest also held the post of Head of Protocol at the Secretariat of State of the Holy See from November 14, 2012, to February 26, 2018.
The Prelate was later given the title of Apostolic Nuncio and made Titular Archbishop of Novigrad from February 26, 2018, to date.
March 18, 2018, saw José Avelino Bettencourt’s consecration by Pope Francis as Bishop.
On March 1, 2018, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Armenia and seven days later to Georgia. He held these positions until August 30, 2023, when he was made Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.
Educational Life
Monsignor José Avelino Bettencourt holds degrees in Literature and Theology from the University of Ottawa, Canada.
He also obtained a Doctorate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University.
His Lordship José Avelino Bettencourt was granted a coat of arms by the Canadian Heraldic Authority on August 15, 2019.
His Coat of Arms has as theme: FIDES, SPES, CHARITAS translated from Latin as Faith, Hope, Love, taken from 1 Corinthians 13:13: “Now faith, hope and love abide; and the greatest of these is love.”
Compiled by Eleanor Ayuketah Ngochi
