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Yamoussoukro (Agenzia Fides) – A large crowd attended the Episcopal Ordination of three Bishops held in Yamoussoukro, the capital of Ivory Coast. It is the first time that the country witnesses the ordination of three Bishops on the same day.
On Saturday, August 22, in the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Ambrose Madtha, Cardinal Bernard Agre consecrated, accompanied by another 18 Bishops of the country, three Bishops of the Diocese of Yamoussoukro: Bishops Marcellin Yao Kouadio d’Abengourou, Boniface Ziri, d’Odienné, and Antoine Koné. The ceremony was also attended by President Laurent Gbagbo, Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, other Government Ministers, Ms. Houpouet-Boigny, spouse of former President Felix Houpouet-Boigny, several members of government, and various leaders of local towns. Over 10,000 faithful participated in the three-hour long liturgy with great devotion. Concelebrating along with Cardinal Agre and the Bishops were nearly 200 priests from all over the country, especially from the dioceses of the new bishops.
After the reading of the Papal Bull in Latin and French, which was met with roaring applause, Cardinal Agre gave the homily. In it, he addressed those being ordained in the Church's name, exhorting them to live out their three-fold mission of sanctifying, instructing, and governing the People of God entrusted to their pastoral care. The Cardinal explained the importance of being a servant to all in the diocese, as Jesus Himself came not to be served but to serve others. The Cardinal recalled the principles that are the foundation of a democratic nation – respect for human life, respect for the common good, principles of subsidiarity, and respect for solidarity – and exhorted the candidates for the episcopate to follow these guidelines in their mission.
Prior to the Final Blessing, the Pontifical Representative presented the felicitations and blessing of the Holy Father to all those present. He gave thanks for the gift of the episcopate in this Year for Priests. He exhorted them to be a “Father” to the clergy, religious, and faithful, with a meek and humble heart like that of Jesus, Supreme Pastor. He also asked the people to love and pray for their Bishops and collaborate with them. Archbishop Joseph Ake Yapo of Gagnola, President of the Bishops' Conference, joyfully received the three fellow bishops, wishing them every blessing from the Lord in their future mission. The public television station in the country aired live coverage of the entire celebration and many newspapers placed the national historic event as their front-page story. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 31/8/2009)
