The eleven vicariates of the congregation (9)

Its roots

Following the encyclical letter Fidei Donum by Pius XII in 1957, Betharram decides to provide help to the young churches of Africa. After a period of exploration, Fr. Jean Mateo, Provincial Superior of France, answers the call of Mgr. Emill Durrheimer, SMA, Bishop of the Diocese of Katiola, for the opening, in Ferkessedougou, of the first Catholic educational establishment in the north of the country for the training of Catholic teachers for the diocese. September 1959 marks the departure to the missions of Fathers Pierre Prevost, Jean Superbielle and Pierre Monnot. In 1963, on the occasion of his first visit, the Superior General, Fr. Joseph Mirande is edified by this new foundation: “ No difficulty hinders our Fathers... they expend all their energy but it is on behalf of the mission, the Bishop, thus as helpers, as instruments, in accordance with those words so dear to St. Michael.”

In 1965, Mgr. Durrheimer asks Betharram to follow the SMA missionary fathers to the little seminary of “ St. John” in Katiola. For 16 years the congregation maintains this service whilst at the same time managing several pastoral responsibilities in the parish and diocese.

In 1970 Fr. Giovanni Trameri, the new Superior General, confides: “ Mgr. Durrheimer has confirmed his satisfaction to me in the good running of the seminary. The percentage of those who will attain the priesthood is very small, but we will have trained good Christians who will form the laity of tomorrow, the Church of tomorrow.” In the next few years however some discouraging signs are noted: though trained at the intermediate seminary, our former students do not proceed to the upper seminary and instead pursue their studies at university.

In 1981, due to several transfers of priests, the question arises as to whether it is possible to continue to take charge of the seminary. At the end of a period of deep reflection, the local Betharram community decides to give up the seminary but asks to stay on in the diocese. In 1982, the new Bishop, Mgr. Keletigui, entrusts the congregation with pastoral responsibility for the parishes of Boniere and Dabakala, then 3 years later adds that of Nyangourougbonon! This is a pastoral area which is somewhat of a wilderness and attracts few people so it is a dream environment for Betharram who thus plunge into the bush! The Betharram Fathers are happy to live in a completely different environment from the one they have known in Katiola. “ What makes us happy, above all, is to be able to meet together, the 3 of us, three times a week, to talk about this and that, to pray and eat together, and lead a brotherly way of life. To live together in community, that is the most important thing...” Our brothers also take care to help young apprentices, the unemployed, people who have dropped out of education, agricultural workers to make more active plans for their futures.

In Dabakala, it is the Muslims who are marked out as “those who pray”. Our brothers feel called: they decide to put a greater emphasis on prayer and invite young people in particular to come and share times of prayer. But also, the brothers’ involvement is particularly noted in the social and agricultural domain, to try and retain in the villages those young people who are tempted by adventures on the Basse Cote, where they are often exploited in the coffee and cocoa plantations. Whilst still being often asked to help in the life of the Diocese, the community remains very attentive to the needs of the hostel for young students in Dabakala, offering moral support and educational input.

In 1987, the community on the Ivory Coast is reduced to two members. To remain, it will be necessary to offer young people the opportunity to join the religious life of Betharram. In 1988, on the occasion of the visit of the Provincial Superior, P. Firmin Bourguinat, the time for this is judged to be ripe. In Boniere, after the first vocational camp, a postulant comes forward! But in order to train the young people it is necessary to come closer to Abidjan! After making an initial contact with Mgr. Laurent Mandjo, the latter entrusts us with the parish of St. Bernard of Adiapodoume in the Diocese of Yopougon. On the 14 September 1993, on the occasion of the blessing of the house of formation, situated just opposite the parish house, three novices make their first profession.

In 1996, the celebration of the bicentenary of the birth of our Founder allows us to send invitations to the lay brothers who wish to share our spirituality. Several respond favourably and form the “NeMe Fraternity” ( Here I am in ebrie )

On the 14 September 1999, Brothers Koffi Kouman Gilbert and Herve Kouame Kouakou are the first two Africans to make their final vows in the Congregation. Unfortunately the end of the year is marked by a military coup which establishes a difficult political climate.

With the goal of attaining eventual financial independence, the Ivory Coast Betharram is launched from 1992 onwards in the agricultural plantations ( rubber trees, palm oil, kola) This agricultural work can also offer a good training for young people. Thus in 2000, the teaching farm “ Tshanfeto” ( “Get up” in ebrie) can open its doors; it is a centre for agricultural training for future market gardeners or stockbreeders wanting to become established in their villages.

In August 2000, the ordination takes place of the first Ivory Coast Betharram priest, Father Herve.

Betharram in the Ivory Coast becomes a provincial delegation. In 2002 the country is once again struck by a grave political crisis which deteriorates into civil war. The communities face up to it, unite with the population and support it in these troubled times.

In 2007, given the increasing number of our young West African brothers, the congregation puts itself at the service of the Bishop of Yamoussoukro who gives his permission for the establishment of a Betharram community in the parish of Saint Felix of Sinzibo.

In 2009, the provincial delegation of Ivory Coast becomes the “Vicariat of Ivory Coast”, attached to the Region of St Michel Garicoits, happy to celebrate 50 years service in Ivory Coast with a pilgrimage to Ferke, Katiola, Dabakala and Boniere.

Laurent BACHO scj

Its Present and its Future... with Fr. Hervé Kouamé Kouakou scj, regional vicar

55 years after the arrival of Betharram in West Africa, in the Ivory Coast Vicariate there are now eleven religious in perpetual vows of whom nine are priests, five temporary vows, four novices and five postulants. Add to this six religious on mission abroad and two novices in Betharram.

The three communities lie on a north-south axis: Dabakala together with the parish Notre Dame des Pauvres which also serves several rural communities; Yamousoukrou with the parish Saint Felix which serves the University community; and Adiapoudoume with Saint Bernard parish serving the formation house in Abidjan.

Let’s now take a look at the joys and sorrows of a reality in full growth.

The joys

At the opening of the 150th anniversary of the death of St Michael Garicoits there were a number of ordinations in perspective; at the close of the anniversary on 28 July last the Vicariate had three new priests, two religious in perpetual vows, and a similar number of temporary vows.

Every year for the past three years there is a steady flow of postulants thanks to the importance attached to formation. For this year 2014-2015 six postulants have begun their formation in the religious life.

Another source of joy is the sight of the young religious responding to the calls of the Region “corde magno et animo volenti”. At present there are four religious from the Missionary Vicariate in the Central African Republic.

The regular monthly meetings of the Vicariate Councils, the fidelity of the religious at the three general assemblies and their yearly retreat are also a source of great joy. They represent a good experience of collegiality.

Another source of joy is the progress made at the Educational farm, Tshanfeto, where a number of Fathers and Brothers are employed. For the last three years we have doubled the number of trainees.

Whatever the answer is it not a source of joy when the bishops come asking us for a service as for example in the diocese of Katiola or abroad in the diocese of Dassa in Benin? Isn’t this a sign of gratitude on the part of the local Church and faithful to the project of our Founder to be a mobile camp?

Difficulties and challenges

First of all there is the construction of communities which should be united and fraternal. There is no shortage of obstacles coming from ourselves, but there is also a willingness to progress.

In the Vicariate there is a shortage of financial autonomy. The rate of exchange is a problem. In the last three years the value has dropped leaving the finances of the Vicariate in a precarious position. This is something which drives us to find other sources of income, to be strict and clear in our management and to practice sharing fully. It obliges us to seek help for financial questions and make good use of competences in the community.

There is always the question of formation: to have religious ready and trained for this service, have the means of accepting good accompaniment. Formation is a long road, both for the young members and for those who have the responsibility of discerning. It requires an enormous amount of energy!

Final challenge and not the least: the last “Founding Father” from France, Father Laurent Bacho, is leaving us. It will be up to us to maintain his heritage and make it bear fruit. In this year of all challenges it will be up to the religious of Ivory Coast to maintain their strength, to avoid useless chats and to keep our eyes fixed on the same goal. The same thing goes for the Vicariate project chosen in December 2013, linking the parochial house (Betharramite style) and the training mission at the Tshanfeto Farm with the campus at Dabakala or with the students at the University while awaiting further developments.

Finally we owe a great word of thanks to the Congregation, through the different Vicariates who helped with the construction of the Hostel at Adiapodoume. It is a fine example of solidarity and a vote of confidence in the future of our young Vicariate. Forward march!