Ignace Bessi Dogbo
Stored: Ignace Bessi Dogbo, Ignace Bessi Dogbo
| His Eminence Ignace Bessi Dogbo | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Abidjan | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Yopougon |
| Other diocese 1: | Diocese of Katiola |
| Other diocese 2: | Archdiocese of Korhogo |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 2 August 1987 by Bishop Laurent Akran Mandjo |
| Consecration: | 4 July 2004 by Bishop Laurent Akran Mandjo |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 7 December 2024 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Ignace Bessi Dogbo August 17, 1961 Niangon-Adjamé, Abidjan, Ivory Coast |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Ivorian |
| Education: | Pontifical Biblical Institute |
| Motto: | Tout à tous |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Ignace Bessi Dogbo, born August 17, 1961, is an Ivorian Catholic cardinal and Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Abidjan since 2024. Previously Bishop of Katiola from 2004 to 2021 and Archbishop of Korhogo from 2021 to 2024, he was elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2024. His leadership in promoting synodality, peace, and reconciliation in Ivory Coast, particularly through the Roman Rite, has made him a prominent figure in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on interfaith dialogue and social cohesion.[1][2][3]
Born in Niangon-Adjamé, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Bessi Dogbo earned a licentiate in biblical exegesis from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and served as president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Ivory Coast from 2017 to 2023. His advocacy for a synodal Church, emphasizing communion, participation, and mission, was evident at the 2024 Synod on Synodality, while his efforts to foster peace post-2011 conflict and support marginalized communities have strengthened the Church’s role in Ivorian society.[4][5][6]
Biography
Birth and early life
Ignace Bessi Dogbo was born on August 17, 1961 in Niangon-Adjamé, a village in the Abidjan District, Ivory Coast, to a deeply Catholic family. The second of nine children, his father, Célestin Bessi Dogbo, was a choir director and organist, while his mother, Augustine Djéké Koutouan, was a homemaker.[7] Baptized on 17 October 1961 in honor of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, he attended school in Niangon-Adjamé until CE2 before moving to Man in western Ivory Coast for two years.[7]
Raised in a vibrant parish community, Bessi Dogbo’s early faith was shaped by his family’s involvement in the Roman Rite and local church activities. His father’s musical contributions and the family’s devotion fostered a sense of service, leading him to discern a priestly vocation at a young age. These formative experiences in Abidjan’s Catholic culture influenced his later commitment to peace and reconciliation.[1][2]
Education
Bessi Dogbo began his priestly formation at the seminary of the Diocese of Yopougon, studying philosophy and theology. In 1989, he was sent to Rome to pursue advanced studies at the Pontifical Biblical Institute, earning a licentiate in biblical exegesis in 1993.[1][2] His expertise in biblical languages and exegesis shaped his academic and pastoral roles, particularly in teaching and fostering synodality.
Returning to Ivory Coast, he taught biblical languages at the Saint Paul d’Abadjin Kouté Major Seminary in Songon from 1993 to 1997, contributing to the formation of future priests. His education in Rome broadened his perspective on the global Catholic Church, reinforcing his moderate theological stance and commitment to dialogue in a diverse society.[5][8]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on 2 August 1987 by Bishop Laurent Akran Mandjo for the Diocese of Yopougon, Bessi Dogbo served as a parish minister from 1987 to 1989.[1][9] After earning his licentiate in Rome, he returned to Yopougon as diocesan director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (1993–1995), vicar general (1995–2004), and parish priest of Saint-André Cathedral (1997–2004). He also served as diocesan spiritual assistant for the Jeunes Étudiants Chrétiens (J.E.C.).[2][8]
His priesthood was marked by a focus on education and community engagement, teaching at the Saint Paul Seminary and promoting missionary outreach. Bessi Dogbo’s leadership in Yopougon laid the foundation for his later episcopal roles, emphasizing pastoral care and social cohesion in a post-conflict society.[5][3]
Bishop
Appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Katiola by Pope John Paul II on 19 March 2004, Bessi Dogbo was consecrated on 4 July 2004 by Bishop Laurent Akran Mandjo.[1][9] He served Katiola until 2021, addressing financial challenges with community support, such as a 5 million CFA franc donation from Niangon-Adjamé Christians.[7] In 2017, he was named apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Korhogo, becoming its archbishop on 3 January 2021.[10]
On 20 May 2024, Pope Francis appointed him Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Abidjan, succeeding Cardinal Jean-Pierre Kutwa. Installed on 3 August 2024 at Saint Paul Cathedral, he was elevated to cardinal on 7 December 2024, receiving the title of San Martino ai Monti.[3][2] His ministry emphasizes synodality, peace, and interfaith dialogue, notably through the 2024 Synod on Synodality and initiatives like training priests in mediation and supporting President Alassane Ouattara’s pardon of Laurent Gbagbo.[4][5][11] In 2025, he urged Catholic journalists to promote truth and hope ahead of Ivory Coast’s presidential election.[12]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diocese of Katiola | Bishop | 19 March 2004 | 3 January 2021 | Appointed by Pope John Paul II; addressed financial challenges |
| Archdiocese of Korhogo | Apostolic Administrator | 12 October 2017 | 3 January 2021 | Appointed to oversee diocese during vacancy |
| Archdiocese of Korhogo | Archbishop | 3 January 2021 | 20 May 2024 | Appointed by Pope Francis; received pallium in 2021 |
| Archdiocese of Abidjan | Archbishop | 20 May 2024 | Present | Appointed by Pope Francis; elevated to cardinal in 2024 |
Significant events
- Ordained priest for the Diocese of Yopougon by Bishop Laurent Akran Mandjo in 1987.[1]
- Earned a licentiate in biblical exegesis from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome in 1993.[1]
- Appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Katiola by Pope John Paul II in 2004.[1]
- Elected president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Ivory Coast in 2017, serving until 2023.[5]
- Named apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Korhogo in 2017.[7]
- Appointed Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Korhogo by Pope Francis in 2021.[10]
- Received the pallium from Pope Francis in 2021, imposed by Archbishop Paolo Borgia.[7]
- Appointed Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Abidjan by Pope Francis in 2024.[3]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis on 7 December 2024, with the title of San Martino ai Monti.[2]
- Participated in the 2024 Synod on Synodality, advocating for communion, participation, and mission.[4][6]
- Urged Catholic journalists to promote truth and hope ahead of Ivory Coast’s 2025 presidential election.[12]
Books
Written about the bishop
- No known books or articles specifically dedicated to Cardinal Ignace Bessi Dogbo have been identified as of May 2025.
Written by the bishop
- No known books or publications authored by Cardinal Ignace Bessi Dogbo have been identified as of May 2025.
External links
- Ignace Cardinal Bessi Dogbo, Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Immediate Former President of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ivory Coast Appointed Archbishop, ACI Africa
- BESSI DOGBO Card. Ignace, Vatican Press Office
- Ignace Bessi Dogbo, La Croix Cardinals
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Ignace Bessi Dogbo, Wikipedia
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 BESSI DOGBO Card. Ignace, Vatican Press Office
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Immediate Former President of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ivory Coast Appointed Archbishop, ACI Africa, 21 May 2024
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Meet the 18 Cardinals in Africa Eligible for May 7 Conclave, ACI Africa, 29 April 2025
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Cardinal Ignace Bessi Dogbo, The College of Cardinals Report, 6 December 2024
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 A synodality advocate, Bessi Dogbo emphasizes listening and inclusion, @BrojeremieT on X, 28 April 2025
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Ignace Bessi Dogbo, Spanish Wikipedia, 17 January 2025
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Ignace Bessi Dogbo, French Wikipedia, 20 May 2024
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Ignace Cardinal Bessi Dogbo, Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Ivorian Prelate Heading Catholic Bishops’ Conference Appointed Archbishop, ACI Africa, 4 January 2021
- ↑ Bessi Dogbo champions peace and reconciliation in Côte d’Ivoire, @BrojeremieT on X, 28 April 2025
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Stand against corruption, pressure, Ivory Coast cardinal tells Catholic journalists, La Croix International, 3 February 2025
- Cargo Note**: The infobox fields `diocese`, `home_diocese`, `other_diocese1`, and `other_diocese2` are likely defined as "Page" types in the
Stored: Ignace Bessi Dogbo, Ignace Bessi Dogbo
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