Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abidjan (Agenzia Fides)- Radio Paix Sanwi, a Catholic radio station promoted by the Stigmatine missionaries in Aboisso in the south of Cote d’Ivoire is celebrating 15 years of broadcasting, to mainly non Christian listeners.
“We launched the Radio to support our missionary activity” Italian Stigmatine Missionary Fr. Dino Facciotti who has worked here for 20 years, told the magazine “Il Missionario”. “Radio Paix Sanwi opens the way for the values we wish to promote, the Gospel we wish to share, even though most of our listeners, in a radius of 70km, are non Catholics, indeed mainly non Christians”.
In fact in the area covered by the Catholic radio most people are Muslims, some follow Traditional African Religions and some have no religion. “In a similar context Radio Paix Sanwi caters for everyone” says Fr. Facciotti as he presents a future project: “We hope soon to have a news bulletin with reports on events in neighbouring countries, Burkina Faso, Mali, Ghana, and Togo because many of our listeners come from these countries”.
The radio’s programmes cover a variety of topics, from national history, village news, healthcare, sports events, recreation . The Radio also serves as a channel of important information for example to inform the people that the local hospital is holding a vaccination campaign.
The radio is equipped with all the necessary technical means thanks to European benefactors and technicians.
The first Stigmatine Fathers to arrive here in 1967 were Fr Oscar Zamburlini and Fr Alberto Fontana who opened a house in Aboisso. A year later they were joined by Fr . Giuseppe Bonomi, who opened a parish in Ayamé, and three theology students Flavio Ferrari, Giuseppe Schiavo and Angelo Simion. In 1973 Fr Lino Poffe and Fr. Assuero Mascanzoni came accompanied by a few women religious Poverelle di Bergamo who today, after initial difficulties, have four communities in Aboisso, Ayamé, Mafferè and Adiaké,.
The Stigmatine Fathers are present in three communities: in Aboisso they run a parish and the Radio station Radio Paix Sanwi; in Anuonkua-koutè they have a formation house and collaborate in two parishes; in Ayamé besides helping to run the local hospital they have a Hostel for Students and collaborate with pastoral work in the parish and give assistance in a few local kindergartens. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 20/2/2007 righe 34 parole 387)
