Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on 1 March 2007, appointed Rev. Paulin Kouabenan N’Gname, until now vicar general of the diocese of Bondoukou (Cote d’Ivoire) Bishop of San Pedro-en-Côte-d’Ivoire (Cote d’Ivoire).
Rev. Paulin Kouabenan N’Gname was born in Mérékou Diocese of Bondoukou on May 12 1962. After attending local schools in Mérékou he entered Bouaké minor seminary and then studied philosophy and theology at the major seminary of Anyama. He was ordained a priest in Mérékou on 6 August 1989 for the diocese of Bondoukou. He has since ministered as follows: assistant priest at St. Odile Cathedral, Bondoukou; Studies at the Pontifical Urban University for a doctorate in Canon Law, while residing at the Pontificio Collegio S. Pietro Apostolo; assistant priest at Notre Dame de Fatima church in Bondoukou; teacher at Anyama major seminary. Since 2001 vicar general for the diocese of Bondoukou and parish priest at Notre Dame de Fatima parish in Bondoukou.
San Pedro-en-Côte-d’Ivoire diocese was created in 1989 and is a suffragan of the archdiocese of Gagnoa. It has an area of 27,382 sq km, a population of about 2 million including 80,000 Catholics gathered in 16 parishes, assisted by 41 priests (18 diocesan, 16 religious and 7 Fidei Donum), and 25 women religious and there are 26 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 1/3/2007; Righe 18; Parole 242)
