In Ivory Coast, as everywhere else in the world, Catholic Christians are observing Lent. This is a period of penance and abstinence, during which they are called to pray, fast, and give alms. To help the faithful better experience this sacred time, Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara donated food and non-food items worth 100 million CFA francs to the Church.

Rice, oil, pasta, soap…

These gifts, consisting of 1600 bags of 25 kg rice, 400 cartons of oil, 1000 packages of pasta, 150 cartons of powdered sugar, 200 cartons of powdered milk, 110 cartons of powdered chocolate, 70 cartons of soap, 100 cartons of bottles of bleach and 70 cartons of powdered soap, were handed over yesterday, Tuesday, February 24, to the Metropolitan Archbishop of Abidjan, Cardinal Ignace Bessi Dogbo, by a large ministerial delegation.

"The one who sent us is your brother. His Excellency President Alassane Ouattara and his wife Dominique Ouattara. We are here to bring a message of fraternity and peace. This gesture, beyond prayer and fasting, aims to create living together for a united Ivory Coast that will continue to move forward," the head of the delegation, Minister of State Anne Désirée Ouloto-Lamizana, told the prelate, according to Fraternité Matin.

“Only one word rises from my heart and burns on my lips: ‘Gratitude’ for the effort of solidarity…”

The archbishop, in turn, thanked the president for his gesture. “This donation testifies to the President of the Republic’s commitment to ever-greater justice and to his people. One word rises from my heart and burns on my lips: ‘Gratitude’ for this effort of solidarity, justice, and reconciliation, an essential condition for a solid and lasting peace. The Catholic Church expresses its profound gratitude to the President of the Republic for this solidarity. This gesture is a concrete sign of active solidarity with the Catholic Church,” the cardinal declared. It should be noted that these donations, presented to the prelate at Saint Paul Cathedral in Plateau, are intended for religious centers and communities, as well as dioceses.