Roman Catholic Archbishop wants ‘strong and positive relationship’ with Society

KORHOGO, Côte d’Ivoire — A senior Roman Catholic leader in northern Côte d’Ivoire has expressed a desire on the part of the Church to work with the Bible Society of Côte d’Ivoire (BSCI), and has asked the Society to supply more Bibles for it to use in Bible study and literacy classes.

“Help us to understand how we can work together”

“The Bible Society should not be a stranger in our midst,” Mgr Auguste Nobou, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Korhogo, told members of the BSCI visiting northern Côte d’Ivoire earlier this year. “We want you to visit us again as soon as possible to help us to understand how we can work together. I would like all the church leaders of this diocese to know the work of the Bible Society and give their support in whatever small measure they can.”

Although in the north co-operation between the BSCI and Roman Catholics is not – understandably – in as advanced a state as it is in Abidjan where Roman Catholics have worked with the Society for many years (see WR 363/18), the Archbishop was keen to do all he could to develop the relationship.

He was impressed with the Bible Comics illustrated by Gary Kwan – Portions in French and Luke’s Gospel in comic format in Baoulé – with which the party presented him during the visit.

He also asked if the BSCI representative could supply the church with Bibles and New Testaments in French and in the local language, Cebaara, and he explained that the church gave a New Testament to every couple that got married in church.

“We need Bibles here,” he said. “We use the Bible all the time and our catechists need Bibles for their studies. We also have literacy classes that are going on during the slack time before the rains come, and these are well attended.”

Encouraged

He was encouraged by the suggestion that the BSCI could provide New Reader Portions to help people who had learned the basics of reading.

“Our literacy work is going on in the villages but we do need materials,” he emphasised. “The people come – sometimes as many as 50 in a class, a mixture of youngsters and adults – when they have no work in the fields.”

“Help us with some more Bibles as soon as you can”

The Archbishop responded positively to the suggestion that the Church could take part in the Bible Day celebrations and help to raise funds to supply more and cheaper Scriptures.

“We will do what we can,” he said. “I have taken note of your points and we would like you to come and present the work of the Bible Society at our regional meeting of church leaders. Our greatest concern is to communicate the Word of God, not only so that it is read but also to get it lived.”

‘Jesus gives me strength’

“Last Sunday the message was about turning the other cheek. One of my parishioners told me that he loved Jesus but couldn’t bring himself to do that. I said: ‘Alone I cannot do this, but Jesus gives me the strength I need.’ Our people need a lot of encouragement and teaching of the Word of God.”

He was glad to learn that good progress was being made in the translation of the whole Bible into the local language, Cebaara, and that the new Parole de Vie Bible (‘Word of Life’) in français fondamental (‘Basic French’) would be available in Côte d’Ivoire soon.