“Valiant scholar”: Ivorian Catholic Archbishop Eulogized as Devoted Servant, Teacher

Abidjan, 03 October, 2023 / 9:00 PM

The late Archbishop Marie-Daniel Dadiet, the second Local Ordinary of Korhogo Archdiocese in Ivory Coast, who died on Monday, October 2 aged 71 has been eulogized as “a valiant ecclesiastical scholar”, who served the people of God with devotion.

The Ivorian-born Catholic Archbishop who had been at the helm of Korhogo Archdiocese from his installation in July 2004 till his resignation in October 2017 due to poor health at the age of 65 passed on in Paris, France, following an illness, members of the Episcopal Conference of Ivory Coast (CECCI) have said in a statement.

In the statement issued Monday, October 2, CECCI members also “express their deepest sympathy to the biological family of the deceased, and invite the Christian community to unite in prayer and recollection, so that he may enter into the light and peace of God whom he served with devotion.”

They say that the funeral program of the late Archbishop, who started his Episcopal Ministry as Auxiliary Bishop of Korhogo Archdiocese in October 1998 “will be announced at a later date.” He had been in France for medical treatment for several months. 

Born in Divo in 1952, Archbishop Dadiet was ordained a Priest in July 1979. He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Korhogo in May 1998. He was later transferred to Katiola Diocese in October 2002, where he served until May 2004 when he was appointed Archbishop of Korhogo.

The late Ivorian Archbishop was known for his commitment to peace and reconciliation in Ivory Coast. He was also involved in defending the rights of the poor and the excluded.

In a Tuesday, October 3 condolence message shared on Facebook, Maître Zehouri Paul-arnaud Bertin says, “The Catholic Church in Ivory Coast the Loh-Djiboua region, the Nebo District and his native village of Gnehiri have lost a valiant ecclesiastical scholar whose teachings, availability to all and high sense of solidarity bear witness to the Priesthood.”

“Our condolences go out to his grieving family, the Catholic community and his friends,” he further says, and implores, “May God, whom he served in the name of Jesus Christ, ease the repose of his soul.”

For Aimé Akpalé,  “the entire nation is stricken by this demise. The Loh-Djiboua region and Abohiri clans have lost one of their most worthy sons.”

“May the All-Merciful, the Father of the universe, to whom he devoted himself during his earthly journey, receive him in his great Love,” he implores.