Jean-Baptiste Ama

Jean-Baptiste Ama (20 August 1926 – 29 February 2004) is a Cameroonian Catholic prelate who served as Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ebolowa, in Cameroon from 20 May 1991 until his age-related retirement on 15 March 2002. Before that, from 22 July 1983 until 20 May 1991, he was the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sangmélima, Cameroon. From 12 December 1974 until 22 July 1983, he served as auxiliary bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Yaoundé. He concurrently served as Titular Bishop of Accia, while auxiliary bishop. He was appointed by Pope Paul VI. He was consecrated by Jean Zoa, Archbishop of Yaoundé assisted by Paul Etoga, Bishop of Mbalmayo and Simon Tonyé, Bishop of Douala.

The Holy Father Pope John Paul II, transferred him the Catholic Diocese of Sangmélima, Cameroon on 22 July 1983. He served there until 20 May 1991, when he was appointed local ordinary at Diocese of Ebolowa. On the 15 March 2002, the Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care from the Catholic Diocese of Ebolowa, presented by Bishop Jean-Baptiste Ama. He died on 29 February 2004 at the age of 77 years and is now Bishop Emeritus (Deceased) of Ebolowa, Cameroon.

Background and education He was born in Koundou, Archdiocese of Yaoundé in Cameroon on 20 August 1926. He studied philosophy and theology at seminary before he was ordained a priest.

Priesthood He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Yaoundé on 4 June 1955. He served as a priest until 12 December 1974. While local ordinary at Ebolowa, he served as President of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cameroon from 1991 until 1994.

Illness and death Bishop Ama fell ill in February 2004. He was flown to Milan, Italy, for medical care. He died in a hospital in city on 29 February 2004, at the age 77 years and 6 months.