Abidjan, 22 January, 2025 / 10:48 pm (ACI Africa).
Pope Francis has encouraged Catholic Bishops in Ivory Coast to embrace renewal in their pastoral mission and to lead with compassionate hearts, as the nation marks significant milestones in its evangelization journey.
In his message delivered during the opening ceremony of the 126th Plenary Assembly of members of the Episcopal Conference of Ivory Coast (CECCI) on Tuesday, January 20, Pope Francis extended his blessings and fraternal greetings to the Bishops, urging them to approach their assembly as an opportunity for reflection on the Church’s mission amid evolving societal contexts.
“Your meeting, a moment of reflection on the life and mission of the Church in your country, is held while you prepare your dioceses for the celebration of important events—the 130th anniversary of evangelization in the country and the 50th anniversary of your Episcopal Conference,” the Pope said in the message that was read by the Apostolic Nuncio in Ivory Coast, Archbishop Mauricio Rueda Beltz.
The Holy Father expressed gratitude to God for the blessings bestowed upon the Church in Ivory Coast.
He highlighted the significance of the dual jubilees, describing them as an invitation to embrace a future-oriented vision rooted in the spirit of the Jubilee.