Soubré, Côte d’Ivoire. From February 10 to 12, 2026, the Parish of Notre Dame du Rosaire in Soubré hosted the first Quinquennial Session of the Independent Delegation Saint Jean-Paul II, gathering young Claretian priests and a deacon in mission in Côte d’Ivoire. The meeting marked a significant step in their ongoing formation during the first five years of ministry.
Under the guidance of Fr. Franck Paré, CMF, Prefect of Formation, four priests and a Deacon took part in three days of reflection and fraternity. The session opened with a message from the Major Superior, Fr. Ange Christophe Anougba Bessou, CMF, who highlighted both the beauty and the demands of consecrated life.
At the heart of the program was a rereading of the Claretian Directory (nos. 74–83), with particular attention to the vow of obedience. Through conferences and shared reflection, obedience was presented not as passive submission, but as a missionary virtue expressed in:
- A mysticism of action: total trust in God, mediated through Superiors.
- Fraternal dialogue: a shared search for the will of God, nourished by charity.
- Shared responsibility: the practice of subsidiarity and co-responsibility in mission.
In fidelity to the orientations of the universal Church, participants also studied the Manual for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Adults. This rigorous session aimed at defining and preventing all forms of abuse, reaffirming the commitment of the Claretian Missionaries to a mission that is safe, responsible, and holy.
Beyond the conference room, the missionaries engaged in pastoral immersion by celebrating the Eucharist within the Basic Ecclesial Communities (CEBs) of Soubré. These encounters offered a concrete experience of synodality, sharing the joy of the Gospel with the People of God.
The session concluded in gratitude to the local community of Fr. Siméon Allou Kouamé, CMF. Participants also received encouraging words from Fr. Joseph Mbungu, CMF (Rome), and leadership guidance from Fr. Jude Langeh Bassebang, CMF, inviting them to deeper rootedness in Christ and mature fraternal communion.
The next session will take place in Burkina Faso, as the young missionaries continue their journey with renewed missionary zeal and a spirit of peace.
Source: Independent Delegation Saint Jean-Paul II, Côte d’Ivoire
