AFRICA/IVORY COAST - Bishop of Odienné appointed

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father, Benedict XVI, on 1 July 2009 appointed Bishop of Odienné (Ivory Coast), Rev Antoine Koné, of the clergy of Katiola, Docent of dogmatic theology and Latin at the inter-diocesan major seminary of Anyama, and at the Formation House of the Society for African Missions (S.M.A.).
Rev Antoine Koné, was born in the small town of Ferkéssedougou, diocese of Katiola, 10 January 1963. He entered Saint Jean Minor Seminary at Katiola, then went to the Seminary for Philosophy in Yopougon for philosophy and later to the Seminary of Theology in Anyama (Archdiocese of Abidjan), for theology. He was ordained a priest on 28 December 1991, for the diocese of Katiola. Since his ordination he has ministered as follows: 1991-1997: Professor of French, Latin and Geography at Katiola minor seminary, and at the same time Sunday priest for the Cathedral of Katiola and in other parishes; in charge of formation for young people and primary and secondary school teachers; 1996-1998: student at the Catholic University of Abidjan (U.C.A.O.) where he obtained a Licentiate in dogmatic theology, since 1997: Docent of dogmatic theology and Latin at the inter-diocesan major seminary of Anyama, and at the Formation House of the Society for African Missions (S.M.A.)
The diocese of Odienné, created in 1994, is a suffragan of the archdiocese of Korhogo. It has an area of 51,200sq km and a population of 800,000 including 5,000 Catholics, gathered in 12 parishes, assisted by 12 priests, (6 diocesan and 6 religious), 7 seminarians and 13 women religious. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 1/7/2009; righe 17, parole 214)