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Vatican to Launch “Diocesan inquiry” into Life of Burkinabe Priest for His Beatification

Credit: Order of the Ministers of the Infirm (MI)

By Jude Atemanke

Vatican, 08 March, 2024 / 9:24 pm (ACI Africa).

The Vatican is set to open the “Diocesan inquiry” into the of the life background of the Servant of God Alexandre Toé, a member of the Order of the Ministers of the Infirm (MI) also known as Camillians, who died in December 1996 aged 29, after months of Priesthood.

A statement that the Diocese of Rome issued on Friday, March 8, reads in part, “The opening session of the diocesan inquiry into the life, heroic virtues, reputation for holiness and signs of the professed Priest of the Order of Clerics Regular Ministers of the Sick will be held on March 15 at 12 noon.”

The event that is to be broadcast live on the YouTube channel of the Diocese of Rome is to be held in the Courtroom of the Vicariate of Rome, where Fr. Toé spent the last months of his life, coming to the end of his earthly journey on 9 December 1996.

Bishop Paolo Ricciardi is to preside over the rite, as delegated by Angelo Cardinal De Donatis, official of the Diocese of Rome say in the statement.

They add that the Tribunal will comprise Fr. Maximo José Binos as Episcopal delegate; Fr. Andrea de Matteis serving as promoter of justice; Marcello Terramani, the notary actuary; and Giancarlo Bracchi, assistant notary.

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Fr. Walter Vinci, the Postulator of the cause of the Beatification of the Servant of God Alexandre Toé, is expected to be in attendance.  

In a message published February 28, the Superior General of Camillians, Fr. Pedro Tramontin, provides further details about the March 15 rite.

“The opening ceremony of the Cause of Beatification and Canonization will begin at 12:00 with the reading of the Decree of introduction and the ‘nulla osta’ of the Holy See, the installation of the tribunal, appointed by the Cardinal Vicar, and the swearing-in of the members of the tribunal and those of the general postulation of our Order,” Fr. Tramontin says.

The describes the planned ceremony as a “a great joy for our entire Camillian family.”

“Father Alexandre Toé is an example for all of us and supports us in our journey towards eternal life,” he says, and adds, “We feel that he is our sincere friend, our confrere, whom we can trust because he wanted the good of all.”

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“In his diary, he wrote: My God, I make this declaration of love to you. I love you and I want to love you even more. I want to love everyone with true love. Be in my heart and I will be in yours,” the MI Superior General says.

He continues, “In prayer, we thank the Lord for this great gift that He has given to our religious family.”

“May we also, following his example, make our declaration of love to the Lord by serving all those He has entrusted to our care, seeking holiness every day. In the coming days, we will send you the poster, prayers, and detailed invitation so that you too can participate, pray, and celebrate together this moment of Grace for our Camillian family,” Fr. Tramontin implores.

Born in 1967 in Boromó, Burkina Faso to Samuele Toé and Giuditta Parè, Fr. Toé was baptized on 25 December 1967 and received the Sacrament of Confirmation on 8 May 1986.

It was during his second final year (third year of high school) that he committed himself to seriously considering the call of the Lord. 

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He was attracted to Religious Life among the Camillians after a spiritual retreat that a vocational group animated, with a Camillian Priest as the preacher; he was welcomed into the community of the Camillian student house on 12 August 1987.

Fr. Toé was sent to Rome to continue his education after taking his first vows. He was ordained Deacon on 15 January 1995 in the Church of the "Villa Sacra Famiglia" nursing home in Monte Mario.

On 1 July 1995, he was ordained a Priest. He reportedly carried out his Priestly ministry with fervour and competence, transmitting his care and concern for the people through his smile and spirituality.

Various testimonies attest to his love for the little ones of the Gospel, especially the poor and the sick.

In another statement, MI members say a Thanksgiving Mass will take place on March 16 at 6pm at the San Camillo de Lellis Parish, Rome in Via Sallustiana, to be presided over by Archbishop Prosper Kontiebo of Ouagadougou Archdiocese in Burkina Faso.

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Jude Atemanke

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.