Côte d’Ivoire

The Redemptorists have been working in Côte d’Ivoire since 1993, establishing two mission stations:

• Tiébissou – a rural area,
• Bouaké – located in a poor neighbourhood on the urban periphery.

The mission in Côte d’Ivoire is part of the Vice Province of West Africa and focuses on reaching the most abandoned and vulnerable, combining evangelisation with human development.

In Tiébissou, the Redemptorists serve at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, whose development began under the leadership of the Spanish missionary Fr. José Maria de Montes. Over the years, several Redemptorist priests have continued this mission, strengthening parish life through pastoral care, youth ministry, and catechetical formation.

A key initiative has been the construction of chapels in surrounding villages such as Bakro Sakassou, Koffi Agrokro, Duibo, and Propronou, allowing remote communities to gather for prayer and celebrate their faith. The parish infrastructure was also expanded with a library, Redemptorist residence, and other mission facilities, developed with the help of the local community.

Beyond pastoral work, the Redemptorists promote education, healthcare, and economic support, including a student welcome centre, a clinic, agricultural initiatives, and small loans for families. Great emphasis is placed on forming lay leaders and catechists, empowering them to serve as active agents of evangelisation and community development.