Announced on December 27 by the Apostolic Nuncio in Ivory Coast, Archbishop Mauricio Rueda Beltz, the appointment of Cardinal Kutwa, who turned 79 on December 22, follows a fall out between the Local Ordinary of Man Diocese, Bishop Gaspard Béby Gnéba, and the Clergy of the Ivorian Catholic Diocese over the former’s directives to the faithful to denounce the latter’s infidelity to their Priestly vocation and ministry.
"Any lay faithful who knows that a priest is not faithful to his celibacy, that he has a wife or a child, that he has committed sexual abuse or economic crimes, must have the courage to denounce him to the bishop," Bishop Gnéba was quoted as saying in a 4 January 2024 letter that he reportedly described as "urgent, important and necessary".
Remaining silent about such errant Clergy constitutes a “sin of complicity”, the Ivorian Catholic Bishop, who has been at the helm of Man Diocese since his Episcopal Consecration in March 2008 is further quoted as saying, and referred to the Holy Father, who he said “speaks of zero tolerance for these priests."
Following the fall out, the Vatican commissioned an Apostolic visitation to the Ivorian Episcopal See, which Archbishop Roger Houngbédji of Benin’s Catholic Archdiocese of Cotonou conducted from August 20-24.
In announcing the appointment of Cardinal Kutwa on December 27, the representative of the Holy Father in Ivory Coast said that the Ivorian Cardinal “will have full responsibility for the governance and pastoral care of the Diocese.”
“Bishop Gaspard will remain the Bishop of Man, although he will enter a period of spiritual renewal,” Archbishop Beltz the Apostolic Nuncio said.
In his service as Apostolic Administrator, he said, Cardinal Kutwa “will manage the daily affairs of the Diocese without undermining the Bishop's spiritual authority. His role will involve close collaboration with Bishop Gaspard, the Clergy, and all members of the Diocese to restore unity and communion, addressing internal wounds and tensions.”
According to Archbishop Beltz, the temporary administrative change in the Ivorian Episcopal See reflects a “commitment to reconciliation and spiritual restoration.”
“The goal is to restore peace and unity to the Church in Man, ensuring its proper functioning,” the Colombian-born Vatican diplomat emphasized.
Reflecting on the period of spiritual renewal of Bishop Gnéba, the Apostolic Nuncio said, “This phase is not a removal from the Diocese but a necessary step to help the Bishop better fulfill his responsibilities.”
“During this time, the Bishop will still participate in some major Diocesan events, which he may preside over or attend alongside the Apostolic Administrator. However, he will refrain from making administrative decisions during this renewal phase,” the Apostolic Nuncio said, adding that Bishop Gnéba's name alone will be mentioned in liturgical celebrations.
Archbishop Beltz went on to emphasize the importance of reconciliation, saying that the people of God in Man Diocese, “suffering and wounded, must heal through the fraternity and unity of the faithful.”
The Vatican diplomat, who was Consecrated Bishop in September 2023 described the Holy Father as a spiritual father, sending a “doctor, Cardinal Kutwa, to guide the Diocese toward healing.”
“Church of Man, walk towards the light; shed your robe of sadness and despair. Church of Man, shine once more as you did in the past,” he said, and implored, “May peace reign in the Diocese of Man; may it reign in Ivory Coast, and may we all become instruments of forgiveness and reconciliation.”
Born in December 1945 at Blockhauss in the Archdiocese of Abidjan, Cardinal Kutwa was ordained a Priest in July 1971.
He started his Episcopal Ministry in September 2001 as Archbishop of Ivory Coast’s Gagnoa Archdiocese. He was transferred to Abidjan Metropolitan See in May 2006, and created Cardinal during the February 2014 Consistory.
Pope Francis accepted Cardinal Kutwa’s retirement as Local Ordinary of Abidjan on 20 May 2024.