By Paschal Norbert

VATICAN, OCTOBER 22, 2025 (CISA)- Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop Boniface Ziri Gbaya from the pastoral care of the Catholic Diocese of Abengourou, Côte d’Ivoire, and appointed Fr Jean-Pierre Tanoh Tiémélé as his successor. At the same time, the Holy Father has transferred pioneer Bishop Youlo Alexis Touabli from the Catholic Diocese of Agboville to lead the Catholic Diocese of San Pedro-en-Côte d’Ivoire.

New Bishop of Abengourou

Fr Jean-Pierre Tanoh Tiémélé, who until now served as Sunday vicar of the parish of Ascension de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ, has been appointed the sixth Bishop of Abengourou. He succeeds Bishop Boniface Ziri Gbaya, whose resignation was accepted by the Holy Father after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 75 and 16 years of dedicated service to the diocese.

Born on February 22, 1969 in Treichville, Msgr Tiémélé holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development) from the Centre de Recherche et d’Action pour la Paix–Institut de la Dignité et des Droits Humains (CERAP/DDH), and a degree in engineering in Audit and Management Control from the École supérieure de commerce Castaing in Abidjan.
He completed his philosophical and theological studies at Saint Cœur de Marie in Anyama and Saint Paul VI Major Seminary of Abidjan, earning a licentiate in theology, and was ordained a priest on 29 January 2011.

Msgr Tiémélé has served in several leadership and pastoral roles, including Director General and Administrator of the Centre Père Mathieu Ray de Koumassi (2011–2015), Diocesan Chaplain for Catholic Scouts (2013–2015), Advisor to the Diocesan Council for Economic Affairs (2014–2015), Secretary for Social Pastoral Care of the Episcopal Conference (2015–2016), and National Executive Secretary of Caritas Côte d’Ivoire (2015–2024).

Bishop Youlo Alexis Touabli Transferred to San Pedro

Pope Leo XIV, has also appointed Bishop Youlo Alexis Touabli as the new Bishop of San Pedro-en-Côte d’Ivoire, transferring him from the Diocese of Agboville, where he was the pioneer local ordinary and served since his episcopal ordination in 2006 for 18 years.

Born on January 1, 1961 in Bereblo Tabou, Bishop Touabli was ordained a priest on August 8, 1987 for the Diocese of San Pedro-en-Côte d’Ivoire. He has a distinguished record in pastoral, academic, and administrative service within the Church.

He taught at the minor seminaries of Gagnoa and Yopougon before obtaining a licentiate in philosophy from the Institut Catholique de Paris (1992–1995). After returning to Côte d’Ivoire, he served as vicar of the Cathedral of San Pedro, professor at the major seminary of Daloa, and later earned a licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome (1999–2001).

Over the years, Bishop Touabli has held various key positions, including parish administrator of Saint André, Sassanra (2001–2002), parish priest of Saint Paul in San Pedro, and vicar general of the diocese (2003–2006). He also served as president of the Episcopal Conference of Côte d’Ivoire (2011–2017) and apostolic administrator of Yamoussoukro (2018–2023). Since 2022, he has been serving as president of the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA).

Bishop Touabli’s return to San Pedro marks a homecoming to the diocese where his priestly journey began, symbolizing continuity in leadership and pastoral commitment. He will become the fourth bishop of the diocese since its erection in 1989.