Ivory Coast

Stratégie d’évangelisation: notes sur le dialogue: this is the title of a new book published by the FSPs of Abidjan. Its author, Fr. Fabien Yedo Akpa, a specialist in pastoral theology and a professor at the Major Seminary of Anyama and the Missionary Formation Center in Abidjan, wanted the release of the text to coincide with the Year dedicated to Paul, the model and inspiration for an inculturated evangelization.

 

The book was launched on 27 November 2008 in the auditorium next to St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Yopougon. The hall, which can hold 200 people, was filled with friends and acquaintances, including many priests who turned out to support a confrere courageous enough to write a book in the first place because, in the Ivory Coast, priests who are also authors are very rare.

 

Besides Fr. Akpa, other guests at the presentation table included Sr. Pélagie Banze, fsp, who introduced the author and his book; Professor Jean Sinsin, dean of the Catholic University of West Africa, who underscored how the text makes an important contribution to the challenges facing the Church in Africa by offering suggestions as to how to carry out an “in-depth evangelization”; Bishop Paul Dacoury of Grand Bassam, who spoke about the Pauline Year, and Bishop Salmon Lezouthié of Odienne, who expressed his enthusiasm for the book launch.

 

The initiative also offered the Daughters of St. Paul the chance to make the publishing aspect of their mission better known to everyone.