Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Koupela (Fides Service) - The archdiocese of Koupela in Burkina Faso celebrated 21 and 22 January a triple 50th jubilee: foundation, anniversary of the ordination of the first bishop and twinning with the French archdiocese of Lyons (see Fides 18 January 2006).
On 20 February 1956, Pope Pius XII created the diocese of Koupela and nine days later on 29 February appointed first bishop of Koupela Dieudonné Yougbaré, now 89 years old and retired. Bishop Yougbare born in Koupela 26 February 1917 is “a son of our land” says the present Archbishop Séraphin Rouamba.
Archbishop Yougbare represents the bond which unites the French and African dioceses. In fact Bishop Youngbare was ordained on 8 July 1956 by the then archbishop of Lyons, Cardinal Pierre Marie Gerlier. “the two dioceses established bonds of friendship and missionary cooperation which needed only to be consolidated and made official” Archbishop Rouamba writes in the archdiocesan magazine Kugpeel Kibare.
“ ‘Jubilant diocesan family of Koupéla, faithful to your authentic traditions, live your conversion to Christ without fear and in truth’. This theme could serve as a beacon to help us prepare to celebrate our triple jubilee and look at those events through the eyes of faith” says Archbishop Rouamba who ends by calling the faithful to work “to make our jubilee a success at the material and spiritual level. I wish everyone and Archbishop Dieudonné Yougbaré especially a very happy jubilee celebration”.
The Archdiocese of Koupela has an area of 14,747 sq., km a population of 1,248,128 of whom 228,037 are Catholics. There are 15 parishes assisted by 68 diocesan priests, 2 religious priest, 2 brothers and 62 Sisters.(L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 23/1/2006 righe 29 parole 326)
