Health, Access to Clean Water among Challenges Caritas Ivory Coast Wants Addressed ahead of National Caritas Day

Bishop Yedoh describes mental health as a central issue for the Church's work in the coming years. He calls for a change of attitude toward individuals suffering from mental illness, who he says are often discriminated against and suffer marginalization. 

“Without minimizing other diseases, the major challenge is to care for our brothers and sisters suffering from mental illnesses, often referred to as ‘mad.’ We must promote mental health to ensure the integral well-being of the human person,” the Ivorian Catholic Bishop says. 

In the message ahead of National Caritas Day in Ivory Coast, Bishop Yedoh also calls for action in providing access to clean drinking water. “Despite progress, some regions remain without drinking water, particularly the poorest,” he says.

The Catholic Church leader also weighs in on the challenge of environmental conservation, and decries the “detrimental effects of illegal gold mining on the ecosystems.”

He calls for an ecological shift, urging citizens to adopt a “mindset of preservation in line with Pope Francis' call for integral ecology.”

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“We are all called to a change in mentality in favour of integral ecology, as Pope Francis invites us to,” he says, referring to Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter on care for our common home, Laudato Si’ and Laudato Si’ action plan.

In his message, the President of the Commission for Social Pastoral Care of CECCI calls for support the Church's financial autonomy, stressing the need for a reserve fund to help the Church meet the needs of her members while remaining responsible and united in her mission.

He urges all Christians to “engage actively in the charitable work of the Church for charitable service should be a priority for all.”

“Given the challenges and contradictions of our time, every Christian must make charitable service a priority. The entire Christian community must become an actor of charity,” Bishop Yedoh says in his December 10 message.

Justin Assalé contributed to the writing of this story