“Draw strength from prayer”: Catholic Bishop to Theology Students of Missionary Institute in Ivory Coast

Bishop Koffi noted that ICMA plays an important role in training future missionaries and religious leaders who are promoting Christian and human values.

“Let us cultivate solidarity, subsidiarity, transparency, and intellectual honesty in a spirit of synodality,” he said, and added, “In the face of internal divisions and social tensions, the Church must exemplify cohesion.”

Bishop Koffi urged the students to rise above ethnic and political divides to focus on their shared mission of proclaiming the Gospel.

“Unity in diversity is the richness of the Church,” the Local ordinary of San Pedro who doubles as Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Archdiocese of Gagnoa

Bishop Koffi also highlighted the significance of an “outward-looking Church” that remains true to the missionary spirit of Christ. 

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Founded in October 2004, ICMA is a collaborative initiative of the Missionaries of Africa (M.Afr.), the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (O.F.M. Cap.), and the Society of African Missions (SMA). ICMA has served primarily as a theological training institution.

In its two decades of existence, the institute has trained over 1,150 individuals, equipping them for meaningful roles within both the Church and society.

Justin Assalé contributed to the writing of this story

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