SECAM: Two African Archbishops Among 21 New Cardinals To Be Created
Announcement of new Cardinals
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
On Sunday, October 6, after reciting the Angelus prayer from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis announced a Consistory for creating 21 new Cardinals, including two Archbishops from Africa.
The two honoured Archbishops from Africa are Most Ignace Bessi Dogbo of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and Most Jean-Paul Vesco of Algiers, Algeria.
During the Sunday announcement, the Holy Father said referring to the newly named Cardinals from across the globe, “Their origins express the universality of the Church, which continues to proclaim God’s merciful love to all people on earth.”
He added, “Their inclusion in the Diocese of Rome also manifests the inseparable bond between the See of Peter and the particular Churches spread throughout the world.”
The Pope called all the faithful to pray for the 21 elevated to the rank of Cardinal saying, “Let’s pray for the new Cardinals, that by confirming their adherence to Christ, the merciful and faithful High Priest, they may help me in my ministry as Bishop of Rome for the good of all God’s holy people.”
The ceremony for creating the Cardinals will be on Sunday, December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. After which the College of Cardinals will increase to 256 Cardinals.
Archbishop Ignace Bessi Dogbo of Abidjan
Born in Niangon-Adjamé, Catholic Diocese of Yopougon, on August 17, 1961, he was ordained a priest of Yopougon, Côte d’Ivoire in 1987 and in March 2004 appointed the Bishop of Katiola in central Ivory Coast. In October 2017, the Prelate was appointed the Apostolic Administrator for Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire, and in January 2021 appointed the Archbishop of the same Metropolitan See until May 2024when he was appointed the Archbishop of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Archbishop Jean-Paul Vesco of Algiers
The member of the Order of Preachers (OP) also known as the Dominicans was born on 10th March 1962, in Lyon and ordained a priest in 2001. In December 2012, he was appointed the Bishop of Oran, Algeria until 2021 when the Pope appointed him the Archbishop of Alger, Algeria.
