Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abidjan (Agenzia Fides) – On Sunday, November 15, 2009, the National Day for Peace, in the presence of Cardinal Bernard Agre, and the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Ambrose Madtha, the Church of Ivory Coast has solemnly celebrated the 75th anniversary of the country's clergy and 50th anniversary of “Saint Coeur de Marie” (Sacred Heart of Mary) Major Seminary in Anyama
The Holy Mass, during which 59 deacons were ordained priests, was celebrated in front of the cathedral dedicated to Saint Paul of Abidjan, which was filled by a crowd of more than 7,000 faithful. At the Mass, which was presided by Archbishop Joseph Ake Yapo of Gagnoa, President of the Episcopal Conference, there were 556 priests and 19 bishops 3 of which were emeritus. Also present were Minister Mel Eg Thédore, representing the President of the Republic, and former Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny, and several other political authorities. The homily was delivered by His Excellency Bruno Kouamé, Bishop Emeritus of Abengourou, one of the most senior bishops of the Ivory Coast. During the homily, the prelate, after briefly recounting the history of the seminary and the first priests, urged priests to follow those who preceded them in the priestly ministry, for example the early evangelists in the country, the Society of African Missions (SMA). At the end, before the Blessing, the Representative of the Pope expressed his congratulations to all the clergy on behalf of the Holy Father and the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, urging priests to follow Jesus, chaste, obedient, poor as it did St. John Mary Vianney, the Holy Cure of Ars. He asked them to put into practice the recommendations of the last Synod of Bishops for Africa on the priests.
On 1 May 1934 Bishop René Kouassi, the first Ivorian priest, was ordained and on October 12, 1959 the Major Seminary of Anyama was opened, under the direction of the Eudists Fathers. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 16/11/2009)
