As soon as he got back home, the Provincial Superior informed his Council of the favourable response from the Dabakala community, suggesting Betharramite Religious Life to Ivory Coast young men. An agreement was quickly reached with Fr Laurent Bacho, of the Pibrac community, the formation house for the Province. Fr Firmin was also backed up by the Christian community of the parish of Pibrac. Meanwhile Dabakala was getting ready for this birth. In the face of young men, who want to join our family, we are going to have to accept a simpler way of life; we are going to have to show how we live and show ourselves just as we are. We know that with them we are going to have to find a new life style. The cot is being prepared.7a09e4f873d044718333fe8ebf942901font>7a09e4f873d044718333fe8ebf942901font>7a09e4f873d044718333fe8ebf942901p>
In October 1988, Fathers Laurent Bacho and Tarcissio Vera, a young priest-religious from Paraguay, ordained two years previously, joined respectively Fr Jean-Marie Rouspil at Dabakala, and Fr Benat Oyhenart at Boniere. Meeting two days a week at Dabakala, the old hands train the new arrivals for pastoral activity in villages steeped in traditional religions and bearing the weight of Islam. From the beginning of the year, the Brothers publish a monthly magazine for catechists, 200 copies of which are distributed in the parishes: Throw out your nets. The old duplicator gave Fr Benat many a headache, but the rotation was maintained.7a09e4f873d044718333fe8ebf942901font>7a09e4f873d044718333fe8ebf942901p>
The community was also concerned about the reception of young men attracted by Religious life. At the beginning of 1989, Fr Firmin Bourguinat relaunched the idea of Betharram in Ivory Coast. The little green shoots of hope were still there. It was the time of discernment and accompaniment entrusted especially to Fr Bacho. An understanding was reached with several young men well known in Katiola. One of them, who had already shown interest two years previously, was still very interested. It was Anatole Koffi. At Boniere, it was decided to fit up two houses ready to receive the 12 youngsters from the first vocational camp. A vocation only comes from God. Woe betide the man who claims such a right! But one needs to help recognise Gods call; make it more visible. (DS 278 279). We adopt this vision of our Founder, with the result that the following year Anatole spent the year at Dabakala: our first postulant.7a09e4f873d044718333fe8ebf942901font>7a09e4f873d044718333fe8ebf942901p>
In September great upheaval in the Djimini country! A religious community of Sisters in Dabakala and Boniere, and the return of Brother Jean-Claude in Ivory Coast after spending 8 years in Ouagadougou! Two years previously the area meeting comprised two only; now we were 11. In November, Fr Vincent Landel, General Bursar, came for visitation; it was decided for Formation it would be best to get closer to Abidjan. Mgr Laurent Mandjo was contacted to ask for a house for our future young aspirants. No problem! He took us to Adiapodoume where he proposed the care of St Bernard parish to the Congregation. The Bishop also wanted Fr Segur back to be responsible for Diocesan education. With Fr Vincent Landel, we saw there the hand of God, discreet but sure: Divine Providence doesnt progress by magnificent overtures and superb declarations; it doesnt deal in quack methods. It starts off with a small cot and a small child. (DS 183 184).7a09e4f873d044718333fe8ebf942901font>7a09e4f873d044718333fe8ebf942901p>
Laurent Bacho,SCJ7a09e4f873d044718333fe8ebf942901a>7a09e4f873d044718333fe8ebf942901strong>7a09e4f873d044718333fe8ebf942901font>7a09e4f873d044718333fe8ebf942901strong>7a09e4f873d044718333fe8ebf942901p><resolveuid/7a09e4f873d044718333fe8ebf942901span>
NEF, FAMILY NEWS
Nef is the official bulletin of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Betharram.
Nef is edited by the General Council.
You can read the NEF by going to the appropriate section of the portal, which also contains the archive of recent years.
Below you find the last three issues ...