Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Yopougon (Fides News Agency) - Father Régis Akpess is the diocesan director of The Pontifical Mission Societies in Yopougon, one of the ten dioceses in Côte d'Ivoire taking part in World Youth Day in Lisbon. "When my bishop, Jean Salomon Lezoutié, asked me to take the kids to Lisbon for World Youth Day, I accepted with much gratitude and joy", the Ivorian missionary and diocesan priest of Yopougon told Fides News Agency. "We're a group of priests, nuns, youths and kids from 10 of the 15 dioceses in Côte d'Ivoire. We reached Portimao, in Portugal, on Thursday July 20th, to then head to Lisbon where we'll spend a week waiting for Mass with Pope Francis", Fr. Regis explained over the telephone. "Throughout the year the kids have taken part in several preparation meetings organized by the National Secretariat of Pontifical Mission Societies. All the participants signed up enthusiastically to this WYD which they view as a wonderful opportunity for prayer and events". "The diocese of Yopougon has a vibrant church" - the minister adds - it comprises approximately 45 prayer movements, groups and associations"
The ten dioceses taking part in WYD in Lisbon are those of Abidjan, Yopougon, Bassam, San Pedro, Abengourou, Agboville, Katiola, Korogho, Daloa and Bouaké.
(AP) (Fides News Agency 31/7/2023)
