Vocations are growing in the Vice Delegation of Ivory Coast. The latest ordination took place this month, when Viatorian Br. Sylvanus André Djama, received the sacrament of Holy Orders from Bishop Jacques Assavon, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bouaké in the Ivory Coast.
“It’s a cause for great celebration for the Viatorians in Ivory Coast,” said Fr. Robert M. Egan, CSV, Superior General, “with a new Viatorian priest in the community, ready to advance the mission.”
The ordination took place in the chapel of the Collège St Viateur de Bouaké which, since this year, has been erected by the Archdiocese of Bouaké as a quasi parish entrusted to the Viatorians.
Fr. Sylvanus André Djama was born and raised in the Ivory Coast and since joining the Viatorian Community he has helped to animate the mission in a variety of ways.
Fr. Sylvanus took his first vows in 2009 and his perpetual vows in 2016, in the church of Our Lady of Nazareth in Bouaké. After his first vows, he taught philosophy and was chaplain at Saint Viateur College in Bouaké.
Fr. Sylvanus has served as Novice Master in Ivory Coast since 2016. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Educational Sciences and a Master’s degree in Political and Social Philosophy and recently earned his Bachelor’s degree in Theology.
With the ordination of Father Sylvanus André Djama, 12 of the 48 Viatorian religious belonging to the Vice Delegation of Ivory Coast, now serve as priests. There are also three novices who entered the novitiate for a duration of two years in October 2022. In addition, about 40 Viatorian-Associates are linked to the various local communities of Abidjan, Bouaké and Ferkessédougou.
“The future in Ivory Coast is bright,” added Fr. Egan, who with members of the General Direction toured the places where Viatorians minister in February. “It will depend on a commitment by Viatorians there to continue to search for the ways in which to serve God’s people, calling them to embrace the Gospel.”