Parolin to ordain first-ever papal nuncio from Ivory Coast

Archbishop-elect Jean-Sylvain Mambé is only 51 years old, but he can already be considered a “historic” figure.

That’s because he is the first-ever Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) native to be named an apostolic nuncio, commonly known as a papal ambassador. 

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, will ordinate Mgr. Mambé to the episcopate on May 7 at Saint Paul’s Cathedral in Abidjan, the archbishop-elect’s home diocese in the West African country.

Pope Francis appointed Mambé nuncio to Mali in early February. 

Shortly after his episcopal ordination, the career Holy See diplomat will take up his mission in Ivory Coast’s neighboring country.  

Archbishop-elect Mambé spoke with La Croix Africa’s Guy Aimé Eblotié about his new role, as well as the importance of Cardinal Parolin’s visit to Côte d’Ivoire. 

La Croix Africa: How does one become an apostolic nuncio?

Jean-Sylvain Mambé: Not everyone becomes a nuncio. There is no vocation to be an apostolic nuncio.

One cannot apply to enter the Pontifical Academy, the school where diplomats of the Holy See are trained.

When the need arises, competent officials of the Holy See select diocesan priests who may come from any continent to be trained and sent to the approximately 180 papal representations around the world.

After obtaining a doctorate in an ecclesiastical subject and training at the Pontifical Academy, the priest is sent to various countries of the world (in the case of bilateral diplomacy) or to international organizations (in the case of multilateral diplomacy) in order to gain valuable experience for the function of apostolic nuncio.

After 17 years of experience and acquired expertise, the candidate can be considered for an eventual appointment as the pope's representative. 

It must be emphasized that this is never done automatically. The appointment in question depends on several factors and needs of the Holy See.

Why are there so few apostolic nuncios of African origin?

If I am not mistaken, I will be the 8th African nuncio.

The first was Msgr. Augustine Kasujja, a Ugandan with whom I had the good fortune to work in Nigeria.

You know that Africa is mission territory, a young Church. For a long time the clergy were very few. In these conditions, it was difficult depriving the young Churches that were in great need of priests. 

Now that our Churches have many priestly and religious vocations, our bishops must be more open to the needs of the universal Church and put some of their clergy at the disposal of the Holy See to work either in the diplomatic field or in the dicasteries of the Roman Curia. 

Our bishops must therefore be made aware of this generosity. If this is done, you will see that many more Africans will be taken into the Vatican.

How are you preparing for your episcopal ordination?

An episcopal ordination is something very serious in the life of every priest and for the Church itself. For this, the candidate must make a spiritual retreat of at least one week.

For this retreat, I went to a monastery of the Benedictine Sisters in Friguiagbé, near the city of Kindia in Guinea, some 130 km from the capital. I chose this setting because it was removed from all civilization, it is a quiet place, conducive to meditation. 

I also chose this setting because of my admiration for the monastic life and the intensity of their prayer. I am happy to have had this beautiful spiritual preparation. 

As for the liturgy itself, I asked one of the best specialists of Côte d’Ivoire to form a team and to take care of it. This is Father Thomas Djedje, my friend and fellow classmate.

As for the material side, I rely on the organizing committee set up for this purpose. I have full confidence in its members who are eminent religious and civil personalities. 

We can mention the one I consider as an elder brother and who supported me a lot especially by his fervent prayers: Reverend Father Norbert Abékan. 

We can also name Father Simeon Beugré, director of economic affairs of the diocese of Yopougon, Msgr. Pierre Claver Yessoh, one of the vicars general of the diocese of Abidjan, Msgr. Donatien N'Guessaly, vicar general of Yopougon, Father David, chancellor of the diocese of Grand Bassam, Mr. Beugré Joachim, mayor of Jacqueville, and many other people.

When you have these people, you can sleep well!

A second event was added: the arrival of Cardinal Parolin in Côte d'Ivoire. Since the centenary of the Ivorian Church in 1995, this is the first time that such a high ranking Vatican figure has come to the county. How should we see his visit?

The visit of Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secretary of state of His Holiness Pope Francis, to the Ivory Coast is also a historic event.

He is making a point of being there personally for my episcopal ordination and for honoring an event in Côte d’Ivoire for the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between Côte d’Ivoire and the Holy See.

This trip had been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This trip should therefore be seen as a sign of the importance that the Vatican gives to Côte d’Ivoire.