Ivorian Cardinal Tells New Minister to Integrate Science and Faith, Seek God’s Blessings

He described her as a professional teacher who did “a remarkable job” when she served as the country’s Ministry of Solidarity, Social Cohesion and the Fight against Poverty.

Cardinal Kutwa went on to laud the Minister’s plan for a General Assembly of teachers, saying the new cabinet member “arrived at the right time to do this work.”

He emphasized the importance of education in the West African nation saying it is “the country's backbone.”

“If schools train our people badly, we will have a country that is worth nothing,” he said, adding that education “offers many opportunities for our country.”

On her part, Ms. Koné expressed gratitude to the Cardinal for his prayers and encouragement.

In April, Ivory Coast’s Prime Minister, Patrick Achi, paid a courtesy visit to the Cardinal to receive blessings.

“This audience that His Eminence Cardinal Kutwa has kindly granted us, at our request, responds, first of all, to an institutional principle that when a prime minister is appointed, he approaches the religious authorities to receive their blessings on his mission,” Prime Minister Achi said after the April 24 meeting.

The Ivorian Premier who was accompanied by three ministers said that meetings between himself and the Church leader “can take place on a regular basis.”

Mr. Achi also called for collaborative efforts to “maintain peace and lead the country, so that it brings daily well-being to the populations, comfort and peace.”