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Ivory Coast’s Cardinal-designate has underlined that the current Delegates of Synod on Synodality taking place at the city of the Vatican are experiencing what he described as an extraordinary atmosphere. Delegates at the ongoing second session of the multi-year Synod on Synodality are fostering fraternity in what Archbishop Ignace Bessi Dogbo of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abidjan in Ivory Coast, one of 21 newly named Cardinals, has described as “an extraordinary atmosphere” and “truly a Church atmosphere.”

Addressing journalists during a press briefing on Tuesday, October 8, the Cardinal-designate said that the delegates, who include Local Ordinaries, Clergy, women and men Religious and Laity, are seeing Jesus Christ “in each other’s faces”.

“We are experiencing an extraordinary atmosphere, one that truly reflects that we are in a Church where relationships are important. These relationships, rooted in baptism, conform us to Christ and identify us with Him, allowing for a truly fraternal connection,” the Ivorian Cardinal-designate said.

He added, “This synod allows us to live this experience with great intensity. The atmosphere is, I would say, very friendly. Bishops, Priests, women and men Religious, and Laypeople are all working together at the same tables, recognizing one another without anyone imposing their views on others. It’s truly a Church atmosphere.”

The Local Ordinary of Abidjan, who is one of the three papal nominees from Africa for the Synod on Synodality acknowledged the high level of fraternity that has given delegates an opportunity to witness their Christian vocation through interpersonal encounters. 

“We See Christ in each other’s faces, and that seems fundamental to me. This is, in fact, the foundation of the entire synodal process we are currently experiencing, so that in the Church we can recognize the place of each person, whether they are small or great, rich or poor, or in positions of supreme authority,” he said.

The Cardinal-designate, who was appointed Archbishop of Abidjan on May 20 this year and installed on August 3 continued, “We should know that in the Church, we are all brothers and sisters, working together for the mission while living this fraternal communion.”

“This spirit of fraternity and conviviality is what strikes me the most, and I believe it can help us live the Church differently without changing its core essence,” he said.

Archbishop Dogbo recognized the identity of the Church as “communion; but the way we live it, our modus vivendi and modus operandi, is changing with this process. I think this atmosphere could help us in our Dioceses and parishes.”    

“For us who come from Dioceses in Africa, it’s true that these are materially poor Dioceses, but they are spiritually rich,” he said, adding that in Africa, faith “is lived with joy, and I think that is something we must share with the universal Church; a faith that celebrates. The Eucharist is a celebration of thanksgiving, and I think Africa can offer that to the entire Church.

On October 6, Pope Francis announced a December 8 Consistory during which he is to create 21 new Cardinals, among them, Archbishop Dogbo and his counterpart in the Catholic Archdiocese of Algiers in Algeria, Archbishop Jean-Paul Vesco

Reflecting on his being named Cardinal, Archbishop Dogbo said, “As soon as it was announced in the media that I had been chosen among the future Cardinals, in my village, the first reaction was to bring out the children to celebrate.”

“I think Africa must not lose this simple joy of the poor of Yahweh, people who are humble and rejoice without necessarily seeking grand things, but with small gestures. This joyful faith, I believe, is what Africa must share with the world today,” he said.

The native of Ivory Coast’s Catholic Diocese of Yopougon continued, “Vocations are flourishing in Africa today, and it is also a grace that missionaries are being sent from Africa to other continents. But I believe the specific contribution Africa has to offer today is this joy; a faith that rejoices in simple things.”

“We can indeed rejoice in the open-mindedness of the current Pope, who has wanted to involve all parts of the Church in the governance of the universal Church,” the Ivorian Cardinal-designate said, referring to Pope Francis’ decision to create new Cardinals.

Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has had nine Consistories, during which he created 142 Cardinals from 70 countries.

In his input at the October 8 press briefing, the Ivorian Cardinal-designate went on to say, “We know that a Cardinal is a papal advisor, working with the Pope for the Universal Church. So, by appointing Cardinals from different countries and continents, the Pope is embracing this openness in the Church.”

Reflecting on the theme of the Synod , the Cardinal-designate lauded Pope Francis’ openness to involving the global Church in its governance with the call to foster listening.

“Today, the Church needs to listen. Listening is the keyword of this Synod. But to listen, we need people to speak. And it’s good that there are Cardinals from all over the world, so their voices can be heard by the Pope, and they can also listen to the Pope for the life of their churches.”

He continued, “Every part of the world has something to contribute to help the Church move forward. This Synod we are experiencing is truly a model of this Church where everyone is listened to, regardless of their status in the Church, their intellectual level, or their abilities or wealth.”

“We should be able to recognize the face of Christ in every Christian. And I believe that this nomination helps us live this out, a Church where all are equal in dignity and participate in its life,” the Cardinal-designate further said.

The multi-year Synodal process, which “we’ve been living since 2021 had its first session in 2023,” he said, and continued, “We have gotten to know one another, and I think that’s important.”

“But beyond these personal connections, what’s essential is that when we are in front of another Christian, we no longer see their face but the face of Christ. I believe that is what is being lived within this synod,” the Cardinal-designate told journalists in Rome on October 8.

Rev. Fr. George Nwachukwu
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