{"id":3663,"date":"2014-01-24T09:32:28","date_gmt":"2014-01-24T09:32:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bkpdefunts.smainternational.info\/?p=3663"},"modified":"2024-02-28T22:55:27","modified_gmt":"2024-02-28T22:55:27","slug":"paul-gotte","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.defunts.smainternational.site\/?p=3663","title":{"rendered":"Le P\u00e8re Paul GOTTE"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"gotte<\/a><\/p>\n

Société des Missions Africaines – Province de Lyon<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

Le<\/b> <\/span>père<\/b> <\/span>Paul<\/b> <\/span>André<\/b> <\/span>GOTTE
<\/b><\/span>1927-2014)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Né<\/b> <\/span>le<\/b> <\/span>22<\/b> <\/span>janvier<\/b> <\/span>1927<\/b> <\/span>aux<\/b> <\/span>Olmes<\/b> <\/span>(Rhône)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

– <\/span>diocèse<\/b> <\/span>de<\/b> <\/span>Lyon<\/b> <\/span>–<\/span><\/p>\n

Membre<\/b> <\/span>de<\/b> <\/span>la<\/b> <\/span>SMA<\/b> <\/span>le<\/b> <\/span>27<\/b> <\/span>janvier<\/b> <\/span>1949<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Ordonné<\/span><\/b><\/span> <\/span>prêtre<\/b><\/span> <\/span>le<\/b><\/span> <\/span>11<\/b><\/span> <\/span>février<\/b><\/span> <\/span>1953<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

1954-1957  Lyon<\/span><\/span>150,<\/span><\/span>économe<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

1957-1959  Toumodi<\/span><\/span>(Yamoussoukro<\/span>)<\/span>,<\/span><\/span>vicaire<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

1960-1963  Yamoussoukro,<\/span><\/span>fondation<\/span><\/span>de<\/span><\/span>la<\/span><\/span>paroisse<\/span><\/span>Saint-Augustin<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

1963-1993  Toumodi,<\/span><\/span><\/span>curé<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

1993-2003  Kokoumbo<\/span><\/span>(Yamoussoukro)<\/span>,<\/span><\/span>curé<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

2003-2004  repos<\/span><\/span>chez<\/span><\/span>lui<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

2004-2006  rue<\/span><\/span>Crillon<\/span><\/span>à<\/span><\/span>Paris<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

2006-2014  Montferrie<\/span>r<\/span>,<\/span><\/span>maison<\/span><\/span>de<\/span><\/span>retraite<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Décédé <\/span>à <\/span>Montferrier <\/span>le<\/span> <\/span>24 <\/span>janvier<\/span> <\/span>2014<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

à<\/span> <\/span>l’âge<\/span> <\/span>de <\/span>87 <\/span>ans<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n

Un <\/span>sourire <\/span>vient <\/span>de <\/span>s’éteindre <\/span>à <\/span>la <\/span>maison <\/span>de <\/span>Montferrier<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>le <\/span>père <\/span>Gotte <\/span>vient <\/span>de <\/span>nous <\/span>quitter. <\/span>. <\/span>.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Il <\/span>naît <\/span>le <\/span>22 <\/span>janvier <\/span>1927 <\/span>aux <\/span>Olmes, <\/span>dans<\/span> <\/span>le <\/span>diocèse <\/span>de <\/span>Lyon <\/span>dans<\/span> <\/span>une <\/span>famille<\/span> <\/span>nombreuse <\/span>: <\/span>il aura <\/span>trois <\/span>frères <\/span>et <\/span>trois <\/span>sœurs.<\/span> <\/span>Son <\/span>papa <\/span>est <\/span>brodeur<\/span> <\/span>et <\/span>sa <\/span>famille,<\/span> <\/span>relativement<\/span> <\/span>aisée,<\/span><\/span> <\/span>saura bien <\/span>le <\/span>seconder<\/span> <\/span>dans<\/span> <\/span>toutes<\/span> <\/span>ses <\/span>activités,<\/span> <\/span>plus <\/span>tard,<\/span> <\/span>lorsqu’il<\/span> <\/span>sera<\/span> <\/span>en <\/span>mission.<\/span> <\/span>Il <\/span>obtient<\/span> <\/span>le certificat<\/span> <\/span>d’études<\/span> <\/span>à <\/span>l’école<\/span> <\/span>laïque <\/span>des <\/span>Olmes<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>puis <\/span>il <\/span>entre <\/span>au <\/span>petit <\/span>séminaire<\/span> <\/span>de <\/span>Notre-Dame de <\/span>la<\/span> <\/span>Roche,<\/span> <\/span>dans  <\/span>son <\/span>diocèse.<\/span> <\/span>C’est<\/span> <\/span>en <\/span>1944,<\/span> <\/span>à <\/span>l’issue<\/span><\/span> <\/span>de <\/span>sa <\/span>3e <\/span>qu’il<\/span> <\/span>fait<\/span> <\/span>sa <\/span>demande<\/span> <\/span>pour entrer <\/span>aux <\/span>Missions <\/span>Africaines.<\/span> <\/span>Il <\/span>termine <\/span>donc <\/span>sa <\/span>scolarité <\/span>à <\/span>Pont-Rousseau en <\/span>194<\/span>7<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>puis commence<\/span> <\/span>son <\/span>noviciat <\/span>à <\/span>Chanly <\/span>au <\/span>mois <\/span>d’octobre <\/span>de<\/span> <\/span>cette <\/span>même <\/span>année. <\/span>Curieusement, <\/span>sans que <\/span>l’on <\/span>trouve <\/span>dans <\/span>son <\/span>dossier <\/span>la<\/span> <\/span>moindre <\/span>explication,<\/span> <\/span>il <\/span>quitte <\/span>Chanly <\/span>en <\/span>février <\/span>1948 <\/span>pour effectuer<\/span> <\/span>7 <\/span>mois <\/span>de <\/span>service <\/span>militaire<\/span>.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>ll <\/span>est <\/span>incorporé<\/span> <\/span>à <\/span>La <\/span>Fère, <\/span>dans <\/span>l’Aisne<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>où <\/span>il <\/span>obtient<\/span> <\/span>le grade <\/span>de<\/span> <\/span>maréchal<\/span> <\/span>des<\/span> <\/span>logis. <\/span>Il <\/span>retourne <\/span>ensuite <\/span>à <\/span>Chanly <\/span>pour <\/span>une <\/span>année <\/span>complète<\/span> <\/span>et <\/span>fait <\/span>son premier<\/span> <\/span>serment<\/span> <\/span>en<\/span> <\/span>octobre<\/span> <\/span>1949.<\/span> <\/span>Il<\/span> <\/span>faudrait<\/span> <\/span>citer<\/span> <\/span>ici<\/span> <\/span>en<\/span> <\/span>entier<\/span> <\/span>la<\/span> <\/span>lettre<\/span> <\/span>de<\/span> <\/span>son<\/span> <\/span>aumônier militaire <\/span>qui <\/span>donne <\/span>son <\/span>témoignage<\/span> <\/span>sur <\/span>le <\/span>jeune <\/span>séminariste.<\/span> <\/span>En <\/span>voici <\/span>un <\/span>passage <\/span>:<\/span> <\/span>\u00ab\u00a0Il<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ne<\/i> <\/i><\/span>s’est pas<\/i> <\/i><\/span>contenté<\/i> <\/i><\/span>d’avoir<\/i> <\/i><\/span>une<\/i> <\/i><\/span>conduite<\/i> <\/i><\/span>irréprochabl<\/i>e<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>dign<\/i>e<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>il<\/i> <\/i><\/span>a été<\/i> <\/i><\/span>en<\/i> <\/i><\/span>plus<\/i> <\/i><\/span>un<\/i> <\/i><\/span>modèle<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>piété, d’édification<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>et<\/i> <\/i><\/span>d’apôtre.<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>Je<\/i> <\/i><\/span>crois<\/i> <\/i><\/span>pouvoir<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>vous<\/i> <\/i><\/span>affirmer<\/i> <\/i><\/span>qu’il<\/i> <\/i><\/span>a<\/i> <\/i><\/span>su<\/i> <\/i><\/span>gagner<\/i> <\/i><\/span>le<\/i> <\/i><\/span>respec<\/i>t<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>l’estim<\/i>e<\/i><\/span>, <\/i><\/span>voire<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>même<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>l’amitié<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ses<\/i> <\/i><\/span>chefs<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>et<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ses  <\/span>condisciples.<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>Heureuse<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>la<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Société<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>qui<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>a<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>tels sujets!\u00a0\u00bb<\/i> <\/i><\/span>(<\/span>2<\/span>7<\/span>\/<\/span> <\/span>I<\/span>0<\/span>\/<\/span>4<\/span>8<\/span>)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Sa<\/span> <\/span>première<\/span> <\/span>nomination<\/span> <\/span>date<\/span> <\/span>du<\/span> <\/span>24<\/span> <\/span>juin<\/span> <\/span>1953 <\/span>:<\/span> <\/span>il<\/span> <\/span>est<\/span> <\/span>nommé<\/span> <\/span>économe<\/span> <\/span>de<\/span> <\/span>la<\/span> <\/span>maison<\/span> <\/span>de Chamalières. <\/span>Mais <\/span>le<\/span> <\/span>30 <\/span>août, <\/span>il <\/span>reçoit <\/span>une <\/span>nouvelle <\/span>nomination<\/span> <\/span>: <\/span>\u00ab\u00a0En<\/i> <\/i><\/span>raison<\/i> <\/i><\/span>des<\/i> <\/i><\/span>nécessité<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>le Conseil<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>provincia<\/i>l<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>dans<\/i> <\/i><\/span>sa<\/i> <\/i><\/span>réunion<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ce<\/i> <\/i><\/span>jou<\/i>r<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>a<\/i> <\/i><\/span>décidé<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>faire<\/i> <\/i><\/span>appel<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>à<\/i> <\/i><\/span>votre<\/i> <\/i><\/span>dévouement pour<\/i> <\/i><\/span>une<\/i> <\/i><\/span>charge<\/i> <\/i><\/span>peut-être<\/i> <\/i><\/span>un<\/i> <\/i><\/span>peu<\/i> <\/i><\/span>imprévu<\/i>e<\/i><\/span>.<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>Pendant<\/i> <\/i><\/span>l’absence<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>du<\/i> <\/i><\/span>titulaire,<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>obligé<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>prendre quelques<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>mois<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>repo<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>vous<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>allez<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>être<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>charg<\/i>é<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>sous<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>la<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>direction<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>du<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>père<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>supérieu<\/i>r<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>de l’économat<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>du<\/i> <\/i><\/span>séminaire.<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>Le<\/i> <\/i><\/span>missionnaire<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>en<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Afrique<\/i> <\/i><\/span>doit<\/i> <\/i><\/span>être<\/i> <\/i><\/span>prêt<\/i> <\/i><\/span>à<\/i> <\/i><\/span>s’occuper<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>tout<\/i> <\/i><\/span>et<\/i> <\/i><\/span>être familiarisé<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>avec<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>bien<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>des<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>questions<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>matérielles.   <\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>(3<\/i><\/span>0<\/i><\/span>1<\/i><\/span>0<\/i><\/span>8<\/i><\/span>1<\/i><\/span>53)<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>Le<\/span> <\/span>Conseil<\/span> <\/span>provincial<\/span><\/span> <\/span>ne<\/span> <\/span>pensait sûrement<\/span> <\/span>pas <\/span>si <\/span>bien<\/span> <\/span>dire.<\/span> <\/span>En <\/span>effet, <\/span>à <\/span>partir <\/span>de<\/span> <\/span>1957, <\/span>il <\/span>va <\/span>passer,<\/span> <\/span>sans <\/span>discontinuer, <\/span>47 <\/span>ans <\/span>en Côte <\/span>d’Ivoir<\/span>e<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>jusqu’en <\/span>2003 <\/span>;<\/span> <\/span>il <\/span>sera <\/span>un <\/span>pasteur <\/span>reconnu<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>visitant <\/span>les<\/span> <\/span>villages<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>parlant<\/span> <\/span>la <\/span>langue <\/span>baoulé, <\/span>attentif <\/span>aux <\/span>plus<\/span> <\/span>pauvres,<\/span> <\/span>mais <\/span>aussi <\/span>un<\/span> <\/span>bâtisseur,<\/span> <\/span>on<\/span> <\/span>pourrait<\/span> <\/span>dire<\/span> <\/span>un<\/span> <\/span>professionnel<\/span><\/span> <\/span>de la<\/span> <\/span>construction, <\/span>dont<\/span> <\/span>on <\/span>ne<\/span> <\/span>peut<\/span> <\/span>compter<\/span> <\/span>les <\/span>innombrables <\/span>réalisations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Il <\/span>commence <\/span>son <\/span>ministère <\/span>à <\/span>Toumodi <\/span>comme <\/span>jeune <\/span>vicaire <\/span>et, <\/span>‘bien<\/span> <\/span>vite,<\/span> <\/span>dès <\/span>1960<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>Mgr Duirat <\/span>le <\/span>charge <\/span>de <\/span>fonder <\/span>la <\/span>nouvelle <\/span>paroisse <\/span>Saint-Augustin, <\/span>à <\/span>Yamoussoukro, <\/span>le <\/span>village <\/span>du président Houphouët-Boigny <\/span>qui <\/span>ne <\/span>manquait <\/span>pas la <\/span>messe <\/span>du <\/span>dimanche <\/span>chaque <\/span>fois <\/span>qu’il <\/span>se trouvait<\/span> <\/span>dans<\/span> <\/span>son<\/span> <\/span>village <\/span>;<\/span><\/span> <\/span>ce<\/span> <\/span>jour-là,<\/span> <\/span>les<\/span> <\/span>enfants<\/span> <\/span>de<\/span> <\/span>chœur<\/span> <\/span>étaient<\/span> <\/span>plus<\/span> <\/span>nombreux<\/span> <\/span>qu’à l’ordinaire <\/span>parce <\/span>qu’ils <\/span>savaient <\/span>qu’à <\/span>l’issue <\/span>de <\/span>la <\/span>messe <\/span>ils <\/span>auraient <\/span>chacun <\/span>un <\/span>petit <\/span>billet<\/span>… <\/span>Il ne <\/span>reste <\/span>que trois <\/span>années <\/span>à <\/span>Yamoussoukro, <\/span>mais il<\/span> <\/span>a <\/span>eu <\/span>le <\/span>temps <\/span>d’y <\/span>construire <\/span>une <\/span>magnifique<\/span><\/p>\n

église, <\/span>l’un <\/span>des <\/span>joyaux <\/span>de <\/span>l’Eglise <\/span>catholique <\/span>dans <\/span>le <\/span>pays <\/span>;<\/span> <\/span>il <\/span>a <\/span>fait <\/span>venir <\/span>une <\/span>structure <\/span>en<\/span><\/p>\n

métal <\/span>d’un <\/span>grand <\/span>entrepôt <\/span>de <\/span>Lyon, et <\/span>le <\/span>président <\/span>a <\/span>habillé <\/span>de <\/span>tout <\/span>de <\/span>marbre. <\/span>Même <\/span>curé <\/span>de Toumodi, <\/span>il <\/span>a <\/span>gardé <\/span>le <\/span>souci <\/span>de <\/span>cette <\/span>église <\/span>: <\/span>en <\/span>1985, <\/span>il <\/span>a <\/span>fait <\/span>réaliser <\/span>le <\/span>clocher <\/span>qui <\/span>était <\/span>resté en <\/span>attente, <\/span>et <\/span>poser <\/span>les <\/span>cloches <\/span>qui <\/span>ponctuent <\/span>encore <\/span>aujourd’hui <\/span>les <\/span>célébrations. <\/span>Ses <\/span>relations avec <\/span>le <\/span>président, <\/span>et <\/span>surtout <\/span>avec <\/span>Mamie <\/span>Adjoua, <\/span>la <\/span>sœur <\/span>du <\/span>président, lui <\/span>ont <\/span>rendu de <\/span>grands services <\/span>et <\/span>il <\/span>a <\/span>su <\/span>en <\/span>tirer <\/span>profit <\/span>au <\/span>bénéfice <\/span>de <\/span>l’évangélisation <\/span>de <\/span>son <\/span>secteur, <\/span>ne <\/span>serait-ce <\/span>que pour <\/span>sortir <\/span>sans <\/span>frais, <\/span>de <\/span>la <\/span>douane, <\/span>tout <\/span>le <\/span>matériel <\/span>qu’il <\/span>ramenait <\/span>de <\/span>France <\/span>à <\/span>la <\/span>fin <\/span>de <\/span>ses congés. <\/span>Il <\/span>avait <\/span>besoin <\/span>de <\/span>tout <\/span>cela <\/span>pour <\/span>faire <\/span>tourner <\/span>à <\/span>moindre <\/span>frais <\/span>son <\/span>entreprise.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oui, on <\/span>peut <\/span>dire <\/span>que <\/span>Paul <\/span>Gotte, <\/span>curé <\/span>de <\/span>Toumodi<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>était <\/span>à <\/span>la <\/span>tête <\/span>d’une <\/span>entreprise. <\/span>On <\/span>ne <\/span>peut compter <\/span>les <\/span>constructions <\/span>qu’il <\/span>a <\/span>à <\/span>son <\/span>actif <\/span>:<\/span> <\/span>maisons <\/span>pour <\/span>les <\/span>pères<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>maisons <\/span>pour <\/span>les <\/span>sœurs,<\/span><\/p>\n

écoles<\/span> <\/span>primaires, chapelles<\/span> <\/span>dans<\/span> <\/span>les<\/span> <\/span>villages,<\/span> <\/span>églises<\/span> <\/span>dans<\/span> <\/span>les<\/span> <\/span>centres.<\/span> <\/span>\u00ab\u00a0Le<\/i> <\/i><\/span>père<\/i> <\/i><\/span>était<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>un concepteu<\/i>r<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>un<\/i> <\/i><\/span>entrepreneur<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>et<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>un<\/i> <\/i><\/span>réalisateur<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>bâtiments<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>avec<\/i> <\/i><\/span>beaucoup<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>décorations. [<\/i>.<\/i><\/span>.<\/i><\/span>.}<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Nous<\/i> <\/i><\/span>souhaiterions<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>que<\/i> <\/i><\/span>l’on<\/i> <\/i><\/span>fasse<\/i> <\/i><\/span>l’inventaire<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>toutes<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ses<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>réalisation<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>que<\/i> <\/i><\/span>l’on<\/i> <\/i><\/span>puisse <\/i><\/span>parcourir<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>cette<\/i> <\/i><\/span>variété<\/i> <\/i><\/span>à<\/i> <\/i><\/span>l’aide<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>photos.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>C’est<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>vrai<\/i> <\/i><\/span>qu’il<\/i> <\/i><\/span>a<\/i> <\/i><\/span>fait<\/i> <\/i><\/span>appel<\/i> <\/i><\/span>à<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>mes<\/i> <\/i><\/span>connaissances <\/i><\/span>pour<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>dessiner<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>des<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>bâtiments<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>ou<\/i> <\/i><\/span>des<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>fermes<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>toiture<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>Mais<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>il<\/i> <\/i><\/span>réalisait<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>beaucoup<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>par<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>son <\/i><\/span>intuition, <\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>son<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>savoir-faire. <\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>Cela <\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>demandait <\/i>toute<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>une<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>organisation <\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>avec<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>des <\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>ouvrier<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>, <\/i><\/span>véritables<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>artisans<\/i> <\/i><\/span>bien<\/i> <\/i><\/span>formés<\/i> <\/i><\/span>:<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ses<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>couvreurs,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>ses<\/i> <\/i><\/span>mécaniciens,<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>ses<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ouvriers<\/i> <\/i><\/span>des<\/i> <\/i><\/span>vitrau<\/i><\/span>x<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>ses <\/i><\/span><\/span>électriciens<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>et<\/i> <\/i><\/span>plombier<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>ses<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>menuisier<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>ses<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>sculpteurs<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>sur<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>fer<\/i>.<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>Véritable<\/i> <\/i><\/span>chef<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>d’entrepris<\/i>e<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>il <\/i><\/span>savait<\/i> <\/i><\/span>diriger<\/i> <\/i><\/span>tout<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ce<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>monde.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Homme<\/i> <\/i><\/span>d’exécutio<\/i>n<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>homme<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>rapidité.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Il<\/span> <\/span>(<\/span> <\/span>un<\/span> <\/span>de<\/span> <\/span>ses<\/span> <\/span>collaborateurs<\/span> <\/span>en<\/span> <\/span>RCI)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Il<\/span> <\/span>ajoute<\/span> <\/span>dans<\/span> <\/span>le<\/span> <\/span>même<\/span> <\/span>témoignage<\/span> <\/span>:<\/span> <\/span>\u00ab\u00a0On<\/i> <\/i><\/span>retrouve<\/i> <\/i><\/span>le<\/i> <\/i><\/span>père<\/i> <\/i><\/span>dans<\/i> <\/i><\/span>l’immobilier<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>:<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>il<\/i> <\/i><\/span>s’était<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>procuré quelques<\/i> <\/i><\/span>villas<\/i> <\/i><\/span>à<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Toumodi<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>qu’il<\/i> <\/i><\/span>entretenait<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>bien<\/i> <\/i><\/span>et<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>qui<\/i> <\/i><\/span>lui<\/i> <\/i><\/span>rapportaient<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>des<\/i> <\/i><\/span>loyers.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>C’était<\/i> <\/i><\/span>un grand<\/i> <\/i><\/span>commerçant<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>pour<\/i> <\/i><\/span>vendre<\/i> <\/i><\/span>des<\/i> <\/i><\/span>tôle<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>du<\/i> <\/i><\/span>cimen<\/i>t<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>des<\/i> <\/i><\/span>fers<\/i> <\/i><\/span>à<\/i> <\/i><\/span>béto<\/i>n<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>des<\/i> <\/i><\/span>contreplaqués,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>du bois.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Peut-on<\/i> <\/i><\/span>imaginer<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ce<\/i> <\/i><\/span>que<\/i> <\/i><\/span>c’est<\/i> <\/i><\/span>qu’alimenter<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>une<\/i> <\/i><\/span>quincaillerie?<\/i> <\/i><\/span>fl<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>en<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>avait<\/i> <\/i><\/span>une<\/i> <\/i><\/span>à<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Toumodi et<\/i> <\/i><\/span>une<\/i> <\/i><\/span>à<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Kokoumbo.<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>Il<\/i> <\/i><\/span>avait<\/i> <\/i><\/span>également<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>un<\/i> <\/i><\/span>magasin<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>vente<\/i> <\/i><\/span>scolaire,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>une<\/i> <\/i><\/span>fabrique<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>meubles <\/i>et<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>cercueils<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>à<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Kokoumbo.<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>Il<\/i> <\/i><\/span>partait<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>s’approvisionner<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>à<\/i> <\/i><\/span>peut<\/i> <\/i><\/span>près<\/i> <\/i><\/span>une<\/i> <\/i><\/span>fois<\/i> <\/i><\/span>par<\/i> <\/i><\/span>semaine<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>à Abidjan.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>\u00ab\u00a0 <\/span>Il<\/span> <\/span>faut<\/span> <\/span>bien<\/span> <\/span>préciser<\/span> <\/span>qu’il<\/span> <\/span>était<\/span> <\/span>toujours<\/span> <\/span>disposé<\/span> <\/span>à<\/span> <\/span>mettre<\/span> <\/span>tout<\/span> <\/span>son<\/span> <\/span>monde<\/span> <\/span>au<\/span> <\/span>service des<\/span> <\/span>missions<\/span> <\/span>qui<\/span> <\/span>faisaient<\/span> <\/span>appel<\/span> <\/span>à<\/span> <\/span>lui.<\/span> <\/span>Le<\/span> <\/span>moment<\/span> <\/span>venu<\/span> <\/span>de<\/span> <\/span>payer<\/span> <\/span>la<\/span> <\/span>factur<\/span>e<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>il<\/span> <\/span>se<\/span> <\/span>montrait toujours<\/span> <\/span>très<\/span> <\/span>généreux<\/span> <\/span>envers<\/span> <\/span>les<\/span> <\/span>confrères<\/span> <\/span>et<\/span> <\/span>les<\/span> <\/span>mission<\/span>s<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Combien<\/span> <\/span>sont-ils<\/span> <\/span>les<\/span> <\/span>confrères<\/span> <\/span>et autres<\/span> <\/span>qui<\/span> <\/span>ont<\/span><\/span> <\/span>bénéficié<\/span> <\/span>de<\/span> <\/span>ses<\/span> <\/span>services<\/span> <\/span>?<\/span> <\/span>\u00ab\u00a0Je<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>peux<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>affirmer<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>qu’en<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>plus<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>des<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>fidèles<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>laïc<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>, <\/i><\/span>beaucoup<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>prêtres<\/i> <\/i><\/span>africains<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ont<\/i> <\/i><\/span>bénéficié<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ses<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>largesses.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>\u00ab\u00a0 <\/span>(<\/span>un<\/span> <\/span>confrère<\/span><\/span> <\/span>africain)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ne<\/span> <\/span>retenir<\/span> <\/span>que<\/span> <\/span>l’image<\/span> <\/span>d’un<\/span> <\/span>Paul<\/span> <\/span>Gotte<\/span> <\/span>grand<\/span> <\/span>constructeu<\/span>r<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>c’est<\/span> <\/span>oublier<\/span> <\/span>une<\/span> <\/span>autre<\/span> <\/span>face<\/span> <\/span>très importante<\/span> <\/span>du<\/span> <\/span>personnage,<\/span> <\/span>un<\/span> <\/span>homme<\/span> <\/span>de<\/span> <\/span>fo<\/span>i<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>un<\/span> <\/span>missionnaire<\/span> <\/span>vaillant<\/span> <\/span>:<\/span> <\/span>Paul<\/span> <\/span>Gotte était<\/span> <\/span>avant tout<\/span> <\/span>un<\/span> <\/span>pasteu<\/span>r<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>\u00a0\u00bbfondateur<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>communautés<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>chrétiennes,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>même<\/i> <\/i><\/span>dans<\/i> <\/i><\/span>les<\/i> <\/i><\/span>plus<\/i> <\/i><\/span>petits<\/i> <\/i><\/span>villages. Missionnaire<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>intrépid<\/i>e<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>pour<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>lui<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>la<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>mission<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>ne<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>va<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>pas<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>sans<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>le<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>développement <\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>intégral<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de l’homme.<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>Ains<\/i>i<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>après<\/i> <\/i><\/span>la<\/i> <\/i><\/span>messe<\/i> <\/i><\/span>du<\/i> <\/i><\/span>mati<\/i>n<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>le<\/i> <\/i><\/span>père<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Gotte<\/i> <\/i><\/span>se<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>transformait<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>en<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>infirmie<\/i>r<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>il<\/i> <\/i><\/span>donne les<\/i> <\/i><\/span>médicaments<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>et<\/i> <\/i><\/span>soigne<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>les<\/i> <\/i><\/span>plaie<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>.<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>[<\/i>.<\/i><\/span>.<\/i><\/span>.}<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Un<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>homme<\/i> <\/i><\/span>relationnel,<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>il<\/i> <\/i><\/span>maniait<\/i> <\/i><\/span>la<\/i> <\/i><\/span>langue<\/i> <\/i><\/span>baoul<\/i>é<\/i><\/span>, <\/i><\/span>il<\/i> <\/i><\/span>communiquait<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>avec<\/i> <\/i><\/span>tou<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>en<\/i> <\/i><\/span>particulier<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>les  <\/span><\/i>vieux<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>et<\/i> <\/i><\/span>les<\/i> <\/i><\/span>vieilles<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>personne<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>.<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>Le<\/i> <\/i><\/span>père<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Gotte<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

était<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>tout<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>à<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>l’image<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>son<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>saint<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>patron  <\/span>l’apôtre<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>Paul.\u00a0\u00bb<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>(un  <\/span>confrère<\/span><\/span> <\/span>africain) <\/span><\/span> <\/span>Très <\/span>souvent, <\/span>le <\/span>soir<\/span>, <\/span>après <\/span>une <\/span>journée <\/span>passée <\/span>sur <\/span>un <\/span>chantier <\/span>par <\/span>le <\/span>chef <\/span>d’entreprise, <\/span>on <\/span>retrouvait <\/span>le <\/span>prêtre <\/span>dans<\/span><\/p>\n

un<\/span> <\/span>village,<\/span> <\/span>annonçant<\/span> <\/span>Jésus-Christ.<\/span> <\/span>\u00ab\u00a0C’est<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>sans<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>doute<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>par<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>un<\/i> <\/i><\/span>sentiment<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de  <\/span>discrétion<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>qu’il parlait<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>peu<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>tout<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>son<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>engagement<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>pastora<\/i>l<\/i><\/span>.<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>Il<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>honorait<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>les<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>hôtes<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>qu’il<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>savait<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>très<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>bien<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

recevoir,<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>et<\/i> <\/i><\/span>cependant<\/i> <\/i><\/span>il<\/i> <\/i><\/span>les<\/i> <\/i><\/span>quittait<\/i> <\/i><\/span>pour<\/i> <\/i><\/span>partir<\/i> <\/i><\/span>prier<\/i> <\/i><\/span>avec<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ses<\/i> <\/i><\/span>baoulés<\/i> <\/i><\/span>dans<\/i> <\/i><\/span>les<\/i> <\/i><\/span>villages,<\/i> <\/i><\/span>avec ses<\/i> <\/i><\/span>catéchistes,<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>ses<\/i> <\/i><\/span>chefs<\/i> <\/i><\/span>chrétiens,<\/i> <\/i><\/span>presque<\/i> <\/i><\/span>chaque<\/i> <\/i><\/span>après-midi.<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>Il<\/i> <\/i><\/span>se<\/i> <\/i><\/span>réservait<\/i> <\/i><\/span>aussi<\/i> <\/i><\/span>des<\/i> <\/i><\/span>temps de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>formation<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>où<\/i> <\/i><\/span>il<\/i> <\/i><\/span>réunissait<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>tout<\/i> <\/i><\/span>son<\/i> <\/i><\/span>monde<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>pour<\/i> <\/i><\/span>faire<\/i> <\/i><\/span>avance<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>l’évangélisation.\u00a0\u00bb<\/i> <\/i><\/span>(un<\/span> <\/span>confrère) <\/span>\u00ab\u00a0Que<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de <\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>villages <\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>il<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>faudrait <\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>énumérer <\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>dans <\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>ce<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>qui <\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>était <\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>alors <\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>l’unique <\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>paroisse <\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de Yamoussoukro, maintenant<\/i> <\/i><\/span>quadrillée<\/i> <\/i><\/span>par<\/i> <\/i><\/span>une<\/i> <\/i><\/span>dizaine<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>paroisses<\/i> <\/i><\/span>nouvelles,<\/i> <\/i><\/span>tant<\/i> <\/i><\/span>dans l’aggÜ?mération<\/i> <\/i><\/span>centrale<\/i> <\/i><\/span>que<\/i> <\/i><\/span>dans<\/i> <\/i><\/span>la<\/i> <\/i><\/span>zone<\/i> <\/i><\/span>rurale.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>\u00ab\u00a0(un<\/span> <\/span>confrère)<\/span> <\/span>On<\/span> <\/span>pourrait<\/span> <\/span>en<\/span> <\/span>dire<\/span> <\/span>tout<\/span> <\/span>autant<\/span> <\/span>de Toumodi<\/span> <\/span>et<\/span> <\/span>de<\/span> <\/span>Kokoumbo.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Un <\/span>autre <\/span>confrère <\/span>témoigne <\/span>: <\/span>\u00ab\u00a0J’ai<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>admiré<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>son<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>courage,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>son<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>immense<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>capacité<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>travail,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>sa <\/i><\/span>foi<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>simple,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>sa<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>générosité.<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>J’ai<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>connu<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>ses<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>colères<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>aussi<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>quand<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>ses<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>ouvriers<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>avaient<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>fait<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>de travers.\u00a0\u00bb<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>Evidemment, <\/span>quand <\/span>on <\/span>mène <\/span>des <\/span>hommes, <\/span>faire <\/span>les <\/span>gros <\/span>yeux <\/span>ne <\/span>suffit <\/span>pas toujours. Et <\/span>pourtant, il <\/span>savait <\/span>si <\/span>bien sourire<\/span>… <\/span>L’homme, <\/span>le <\/span>prêtre, <\/span>le <\/span>missionnaire <\/span>est <\/span>décrit <\/span>tout <\/span>entier dans <\/span>les <\/span>lignes qui <\/span>précèdent. <\/span>Voici <\/span>quelques <\/span>faits <\/span>de <\/span>vie <\/span>qui <\/span>préciseront <\/span>davantage <\/span>le personnage.<\/span><\/p>\n

C’est<\/span> <\/span>lui<\/span> <\/span>qui<\/span> <\/span>se<\/span> <\/span>charge<\/span> <\/span>de<\/span> <\/span>faire<\/span> <\/span>faire<\/span> <\/span>pour<\/span> <\/span>la<\/span> <\/span>maison<\/span> <\/span>provinciale<\/span> <\/span>des<\/span> <\/span>Hidalgos<\/span> <\/span>huit<\/span> <\/span>chaises baoulé<\/span> <\/span>et<\/span> <\/span>un<\/span> <\/span>autel<\/span> <\/span>en<\/span> <\/span>bois<\/span> <\/span>massif.<\/span> <\/span>Il<\/span> <\/span>annonce<\/span> <\/span>en<\/span> <\/span>juillet<\/span> <\/span>19<\/span>7<\/span>4<\/span> <\/span>:<\/span> <\/span>\u00ab\u00a0L’autel<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>et<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>les<\/i> <\/i><\/span>chaises<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>sont<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>en <\/i><\/span>finition<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>et<\/i> <\/i><\/span>prendront<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>bientôt<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>le<\/i> <\/i><\/span>bateau<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>sur<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Marseille.\u00a0\u00bb<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>Comme<\/span> <\/span>il<\/span> <\/span>ne<\/span> <\/span>veut<\/span> <\/span>pas<\/span> <\/span>imputer<\/span> <\/span>cette dépense<\/span> <\/span>à<\/span> <\/span>la<\/span> <\/span>Province,<\/span> <\/span>le<\/span> <\/span>Conseil  <\/span>lui<\/span> <\/span>écrit<\/span> <\/span>:<\/span> <\/span>\u00ab\u00a0Merci<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>nous<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>faire<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>cadeau<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>de<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>ce<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>mobilier d’église,<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>mais<\/i> <\/i><\/span>le<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Conseil[<\/i> <\/i><\/span>.<\/i>.<\/i><\/span>.]<\/i> <\/i><\/span>a<\/i> <\/i><\/span>pensé<\/i> <\/i><\/span>qu’il<\/i> <\/i><\/span>était<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>normal<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ne<\/i> <\/i><\/span>pas<\/i> <\/i><\/span>faire<\/i> <\/i><\/span>porter<\/i> <\/i><\/span>à<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>la<\/i> <\/i><\/span>paroisse Saint-Michel<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>le<\/i> <\/i><\/span>poids<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>cette<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>dépense  <\/span>et<\/i> <\/i><\/span>nous<\/i> <\/i><\/span>comptons<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>faire<\/i> <\/i><\/span>un<\/i> <\/i><\/span>geste<\/i> <\/i><\/span>symbolique.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>\u00ab\u00a0 <\/span>(2<\/span>0<\/span>\/<\/span>09174) <\/span>Et<\/span> <\/span>trois<\/span> <\/span>mois<\/span> <\/span>plus<\/span> <\/span>tard,<\/span> <\/span>il<\/span> <\/span>ajoute<\/span> <\/span>:<\/span> <\/span>\u00ab\u00a0Un<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>très<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>grand<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>merci<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>pour<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>ce<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>très<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>bel<\/i> <\/i><\/span>autel<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>maintenant installé<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>et<\/i> <\/i><\/span>sur<\/i> <\/i><\/span>lequel<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>nous<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>concélébrons<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>chaque<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>matin.<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>Je<\/i> <\/i><\/span>n’oserai<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>pas<\/i> <\/i><\/span>dire<\/i> <\/i><\/span>que<\/i> <\/i><\/span>la<\/i> <\/i><\/span>piété<\/i> <\/i><\/span>a monté<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>d’un<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>degré,<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>mais<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>presque<\/i> <\/i><\/span>..<\/i><\/span>.<\/i><\/span>\u00ab\u00a0<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>(1<\/span>9<\/span>\/<\/span>12174)<\/span> <\/span>Mgr<\/span> <\/span>Gantin,<\/span> <\/span>alors<\/span> <\/span>archevêque<\/span> <\/span>de<\/span> <\/span>Cotonou,<\/span> <\/span>en visite<\/span> <\/span>aux<\/span> <\/span>Hidalgos<\/span> <\/span>en<\/span> <\/span>1975, remarque<\/span> <\/span>cet<\/span> <\/span>autel.<\/span> <\/span>Il<\/span> <\/span>devient<\/span> <\/span>cardinal<\/span> <\/span>en<\/span> <\/span>juin<\/span> <\/span>1977.<\/span> <\/span>Pierre Legendre<\/span> <\/span>écrit<\/span> <\/span>à<\/span> <\/span>Paul<\/span> <\/span>Gotte<\/span> <\/span>le<\/span> <\/span>9<\/span> <\/span>octobre<\/span> <\/span>1977<\/span> <\/span>:<\/span> <\/span>\u00ab\u00a0Il<\/i> <\/i><\/span>y<\/i> <\/i><\/span>a<\/i> <\/i><\/span>deux<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ans,<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>Mgr<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Gantin<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>avait<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>été<\/i> <\/i><\/span>en admiration<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>devant<\/i> <\/i><\/span>l’autel<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>notre<\/i> <\/i><\/span>chapelle<\/i> <\/i><\/span>qui,<\/i> <\/i><\/span>comme<\/i> <\/i><\/span>tu<\/i> <\/i><\/span>sais,<\/i> <\/i><\/span>vient<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Toumodi.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>A<\/i> <\/i><\/span>table,<\/i> <\/i><\/span>en plaisantant,<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>nous<\/i> <\/i><\/span>lui<\/i> <\/i><\/span>avions<\/i> <\/i><\/span>dit<\/i> <\/i><\/span>que<\/i> <\/i><\/span>nous<\/i> <\/i><\/span>lui<\/i> <\/i><\/span>en<\/i> <\/i><\/span>offririons<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>un<\/i> <\/i><\/span>le<\/i> <\/i><\/span>jour<\/i> <\/i><\/span>où<\/i> <\/i><\/span>il<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>serait<\/i> <\/i><\/span>cardinal.<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>En revenant<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>du<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Bénin<\/i> <\/i><\/span>et<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>la<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Côte-d’Ivoire,<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>en<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>août<\/i> <\/i><\/span>dernie<\/i>r<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>et<\/i> <\/i><\/span>après<\/i> <\/i><\/span>avoir<\/i> <\/i><\/span>célébré  <\/span>dans<\/i> <\/i><\/span>notre chapell<\/i>e<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>il<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>nous<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>a<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>rappelé<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>notre<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>promesse…<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>lui<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>n’avait<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>pas<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>oublié<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>Alor<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>nous<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>sommes obligés<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>nous<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>exécuter.<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>Si<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>je  <\/span>t’écris,<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>c’est<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>pour<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>te<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>passer<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>commande.\u00a0\u00bb <\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>Cela<\/span> <\/span>se<\/span> <\/span>fait.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>Le cardinal<\/span> <\/span>avait<\/span> <\/span>cet<\/span> <\/span>autel<\/span> <\/span>dans<\/span> <\/span>son appartement<\/span> <\/span>à<\/span> <\/span>Rome.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

En <\/span>1979, <\/span>Paul <\/span>Gotte, <\/span>à <\/span>la <\/span>fin <\/span>de <\/span>son <\/span>congé, <\/span>va <\/span>à <\/span>l’aéroport <\/span>de <\/span>Lyon <\/span>pour <\/span>rejoindre <\/span>Abidjan. A cette <\/span>époque, <\/span>les <\/span>excédents <\/span>de <\/span>bagages <\/span>n’étaient <\/span>pas <\/span>autant <\/span>taxés <\/span>que <\/span>de <\/span>nos <\/span>jours, <\/span>mais <\/span>il <\/span>y avait <\/span>cependant <\/span>des <\/span>limites <\/span>qu’il <\/span>ne <\/span>fallait <\/span>pas <\/span>dépasser. <\/span>Comme <\/span>il <\/span>ne <\/span>partait <\/span>pas <\/span>les <\/span>mains vides<\/span> <\/span>et<\/span> <\/span>qu’il<\/span> <\/span>voyageait<\/span> <\/span>avec<\/span> <\/span>un<\/span> <\/span>important<\/span> <\/span>matériel,<\/span> <\/span>il<\/span> <\/span>eut<\/span> <\/span>l’idée  <\/span>de<\/span> <\/span>téléphoner<\/span> <\/span>au<\/span> <\/span>père procureur <\/span>du <\/span>150, lui <\/span>demandant <\/span>de <\/span>venir <\/span>lui-même <\/span>à <\/span>l’aéroport <\/span>parlementer <\/span>avec <\/span>l’un des responsables <\/span>de <\/span>la <\/span>Compagnie <\/span>UTA <\/span>avec <\/span>qui <\/span>il <\/span>avait <\/span>souvent <\/span>affaire. <\/span>Le <\/span>père <\/span>se <\/span>déplace <\/span>donc et <\/span>arrive <\/span>dans <\/span>le <\/span>hall <\/span>de <\/span>l’aéroport <\/span>où <\/span>il trouve <\/span>le <\/span>père <\/span>Gotte <\/span>qui <\/span>l’attendait <\/span>et <\/span>qui <\/span>disparaissait derrière <\/span>un <\/span>chariot <\/span>archi-chargé <\/span>de <\/span>valises <\/span>et <\/span>de <\/span>sacs. <\/span>\u00ab\u00a0Je<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>ne<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>sais<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>pas<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>ce<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>que<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>je<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>vais<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>pouvoir faire\u00a0\u00bb,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>dit-il, <\/span>en <\/span>voyant <\/span>le <\/span>volume <\/span>des <\/span>bagages. <\/span>\u00ab\u00a0Donne-moi<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>ton<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>chariot\u00a0\u00bb.<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>Après <\/span>quelques mètres, <\/span>il <\/span>se <\/span>retourne <\/span>pour <\/span>voir <\/span>si <\/span>le <\/span>père <\/span>Gotte <\/span>suivait. <\/span>Quel <\/span>ne <\/span>fut <\/span>pas <\/span>son <\/span>étonnement <\/span>en découvrant que <\/span>le <\/span>père <\/span>le <\/span>suivait <\/span>de <\/span>près <\/span>en <\/span>poussant <\/span>lui-même <\/span>un <\/span>second <\/span>chariot <\/span>aussi <\/span>rempli que <\/span>le <\/span>premier. <\/span>Et <\/span>bien sûr, <\/span>tout <\/span>passa <\/span>à <\/span>l’œil. <\/span>Ajoutons <\/span>qu’à <\/span>l’autre <\/span>bout <\/span>du <\/span>voyage, <\/span>parce <\/span>qu’il connaissait <\/span>Thérèse, <\/span>la <\/span>femme <\/span>du <\/span>président <\/span>Houphouët, <\/span>et <\/span>Mamie <\/span>Adjoua <\/span>sa <\/span>sœur, <\/span>il <\/span>put passer <\/span>la <\/span>douane sans <\/span>problème.<\/span><\/p>\n

Il <\/span>écrit <\/span>peu, <\/span>mais <\/span>les <\/span>quelques <\/span>circulaires <\/span>que <\/span>nous <\/span>avons <\/span>de <\/span>lui <\/span>nous <\/span>montrent <\/span>bien <\/span>que <\/span>pour <\/span>Paul <\/span>Gotte <\/span>l’évangélisation <\/span>passe <\/span>par <\/span>un <\/span>mieux <\/span>être <\/span>matériel <\/span>et <\/span>social. <\/span>Voici <\/span>deux <\/span>extraits <\/span>qui <\/span>le <\/span>prouve : <\/span>\u00ab\u00a0Le<\/i> <\/i><\/span>samedi<\/i> <\/i><\/span>8<\/i> <\/i><\/span>décembr<\/i>e<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>une<\/i> <\/i><\/span>fille<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>notre<\/i> <\/i><\/span>paroisse<\/i> <\/i><\/span>a<\/i> <\/i><\/span>pris<\/i> <\/i><\/span>l’habit<\/i> <\/i><\/span>des<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Clarisses<\/i> <\/i><\/span>à Abic{jan.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>[<\/i>.<\/i><\/span>.<\/i><\/span>.}<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>Un<\/i> <\/i><\/span>collégien<\/i> <\/i><\/span>natif<\/i> <\/i><\/span>d’un<\/i> <\/i><\/span>village<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Toumodi<\/i> <\/i><\/span>est<\/i> <\/i><\/span>entré<\/i> <\/i><\/span>en<\/i> <\/i><\/span>deuxième<\/i> <\/i><\/span>année<\/i> <\/i><\/span>au grand<\/i> <\/i><\/span>séminaire.<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>Nous<\/i> <\/i><\/span>avons  <\/span>aussi<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>ces<\/i> <\/i><\/span>jours-ci<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>passé<\/i> <\/i><\/span>les<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>examens<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>baptême<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>dans<\/i> <\/i><\/span>les villages<\/i> <\/i><\/span>;<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>nous<\/i> <\/i><\/span>en<\/i> <\/i><\/span>avons<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>déjà  <\/span>54<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>reçu<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>.<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>[<\/i>.<\/i><\/span>.<\/i>.<\/i><\/span>]<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>Nous<\/i> <\/i><\/span>venons<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>recevoir  <\/span>les  <\/span>19<\/i> <\/i><\/span>caisses envoyées<\/i> <\/i><\/span>;<\/span> <\/span>tout<\/i> <\/i><\/span>est<\/i> <\/i><\/span>arrivé<\/i> <\/i><\/span>en<\/i> <\/i><\/span>bon<\/i> <\/i><\/span>état<\/i> <\/i><\/span>et<\/i> <\/i><\/span>nous<\/i> <\/i><\/span>pourron<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>grâce<\/i> <\/i><\/span>à<\/i> <\/i><\/span>vou<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>faire<\/i> <\/i><\/span>un<\/i> <\/i><\/span>peu<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>père Noël<\/i> <\/i><\/span>eÉ<\/i> <\/i><\/span>dans les<\/i> <\/i><\/span>missions<\/i> <\/i><\/span>avoisinantes<\/i> <\/i><\/span>et<\/i> <\/i><\/span>dans les<\/i> <\/i><\/span>villages<\/i> <\/i><\/span>où<\/i> <\/i><\/span>seront<\/i> <\/i><\/span>distribués<\/i> <\/i><\/span>vêtements, médicament<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>ri<\/i>z<\/i><\/span>.<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>Merci<\/i> <\/i><\/span>à<\/i> <\/i><\/span>tous<\/i> <\/i><\/span>et<\/i> <\/i><\/span>à<\/i> <\/i><\/span>chacun.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>[<\/i>.<\/i><\/span>.<\/i><\/span>.}<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Merci<\/i> <\/i><\/span>à<\/i> <\/i><\/span>la<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Compagnie<\/i> <\/i><\/span>des<\/i> <\/i><\/span>chargeurs<\/i> <\/i><\/span>réunis qui<\/i> <\/i><\/span>transporte<\/i> <\/i><\/span>gratuitement<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ces<\/i> <\/i><\/span>nombreux<\/i> <\/i><\/span>bagages<\/i> <\/i><\/span>sur la<\/i> <\/i><\/span>côte<\/i> <\/i><\/span>d’Afrique<\/i> <\/i><\/span>depuis<\/i> <\/i><\/span>plusieurs années.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Peut-être<\/i> <\/i><\/span>leur<\/i> <\/i><\/span>arrive-t-il<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>penser<\/i> <\/i><\/span>que<\/i> <\/i><\/span>le<\/i> <\/i><\/span>père<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Gatte<\/i> <\/i><\/span>exagère<\/i> <\/i><\/span>un<\/i> <\/i><\/span>peu<\/i> <\/i><\/span>!<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>Chut!\u00a0\u00bb<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>(0<\/span>9<\/span>\/<\/span> <\/span>11<\/span> <\/span>\/<\/span>8<\/span>4<\/span>)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00ab\u00a0Actuellemen<\/i>t<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>remerciez<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Dieu<\/i> <\/i><\/span>avec<\/i> <\/i><\/span>nou<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>beaucoup<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>villages<\/i> <\/i><\/span>se<\/i> <\/i><\/span>convertissent<\/i> <\/i><\/span>et<\/i> <\/i><\/span>font<\/i> <\/i><\/span>appel <\/i><\/span>à<\/i> <\/i><\/span>nous<\/i> <\/i><\/span>pour<\/i> <\/i><\/span>faire<\/i> <\/i><\/span>leur<\/i> <\/i><\/span>entrée<\/i> <\/i><\/span>dans<\/i> <\/i><\/span>l’Eglis<\/i>e<\/i><\/span>.<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>Ces<\/i> <\/i><\/span>derniers<\/i> <\/i><\/span>moi<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>plus<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>80<\/i> <\/i><\/span>catéchumènes répartis<\/i> <\/i><\/span>dans<\/i> <\/i><\/span>4<\/i> <\/i><\/span>villages<\/i> <\/i><\/span>différents<\/i> <\/i><\/span>nous<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ont<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ainsi<\/i> <\/i><\/span>fait<\/i> <\/i><\/span>appe<\/i>l<\/i><\/span>.<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>Il faudra<\/i> <\/i><\/span>donc<\/i> <\/i><\/span>trouver<\/i> <\/i><\/span>des catéchistes<\/i> <\/i><\/span>pour<\/i> <\/i><\/span>les<\/i> <\/i><\/span>enseigner<\/i> <\/i><\/span>en<\/i> <\/i><\/span>langue<\/i> <\/i><\/span>baoul<\/i>é<\/i><\/span>.<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>Nous<\/i> <\/i><\/span>avons<\/i> <\/i><\/span>déjà<\/i> <\/i><\/span>40<\/i> <\/i><\/span>chapelles<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>construite<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>, <\/i><\/span>et<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>voilà<\/i> <\/i><\/span>qu’il<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>faut<\/i> <\/i><\/span>envisager<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>d’en<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>construire<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>nouvelles<\/i> <\/i><\/span>:<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>les<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>catéchumènes<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>assurent<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>la construction<\/i> <\/i><\/span>des<\/i> <\/i><\/span>murs<\/i> <\/i><\/span>et<\/i> <\/i><\/span>nous<\/i> <\/i><\/span>les<\/i> <\/i><\/span>aidons<\/i> <\/i><\/span>à<\/i> <\/i><\/span>mettre<\/i> <\/i><\/span>le<\/i> <\/i><\/span>toit.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>[<\/i>.<\/i><\/span>.<\/i><\/span>.}<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Merci<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>votre<\/i> <\/i><\/span>aide<\/i> <\/i><\/span>qui<\/i> <\/i><\/span>nous permet<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>venir<\/i> <\/i><\/span>au<\/i> <\/i><\/span>secours<\/i> <\/i><\/span>des<\/i> <\/i><\/span>aveugle<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>des<\/i> <\/i><\/span>lépreu<\/i>x<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>des<\/i> <\/i><\/span>handicapés<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>nos<\/i> <\/i><\/span>villages.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Nous avons<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>distribué<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>une<\/i> <\/i><\/span>dizaine<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>charrettes<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>d’infirmes <\/i>; <\/span>chaque<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>moi<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>en<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>votre<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>no<\/i>m<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>nous portons<\/i> <\/i><\/span>du<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ri<\/i>z<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>du<\/i> <\/i><\/span>savo<\/i>n<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>l’huile<\/i> <\/i><\/span>aux<\/i> <\/i><\/span>plus<\/i> <\/i><\/span>nécessiteux.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Si<\/i> <\/i><\/span>vous <\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>pouvi<\/i>e<\/i><\/span>z<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>voir<\/i> <\/i><\/span>combien<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ils sont<\/i> <\/i><\/span>heureux de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>cette<\/i> <\/i><\/span>petite<\/i> <\/i><\/span>aide<\/i> <\/i><\/span>que<\/i> <\/i><\/span>nous<\/i> <\/i><\/span>leur<\/i> <\/i><\/span>apporton<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>.<\/i><\/span>\u00ab\u00a0<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Suit <\/span>une demande <\/span>urgente de médicaments <\/span>précis. <\/span>(<\/span>0<\/span>2<\/span>\/<\/span>1<\/span>2<\/span>\/<\/span>8<\/span>7<\/span>)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

La<\/span> <\/span>parmsse<\/span> <\/span>de<\/span> <\/span>Kokoumbo<\/span> <\/span>est<\/span> <\/span>fondée<\/span> <\/span>en <\/span>1992<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Après <\/span>30 <\/span>années <\/span>passées <\/span>à <\/span>Toumodi<\/span>, <\/span>le <\/span>père <\/span>Gotte <\/span>y <\/span>est <\/span>nommé <\/span>en <\/span>1993. <\/span>Il <\/span>va <\/span>y rester <\/span>1<\/span>0 <\/span>ans, <\/span>continuant <\/span>la <\/span>même <\/span>vie <\/span>active et <\/span>dévouée <\/span>au <\/span>service <\/span>de <\/span>toute <\/span>la population. L’église<\/span> <\/span>de <\/span>Notre-Dame<\/span> <\/span>des<\/span> <\/span>Monts<\/span> <\/span>est<\/span> <\/span>un vrai <\/span>bijou <\/span>où <\/span>se <\/span>mêlent <\/span>la <\/span>richesse de <\/span>l’art africain <\/span>dans <\/span>les <\/span>sculptures <\/span>des <\/span>portes <\/span>et <\/span>les <\/span>prouesses <\/span>de <\/span>l’imagination <\/span>du <\/span>père <\/span>Gotte <\/span>dans <\/span>l’originalité <\/span>du <\/span>baptistère <\/span>en <\/span>pierre où <\/span>de <\/span>la Vierge <\/span>en <\/span>métal qui <\/span>veille <\/span>sur <\/span>la <\/span>paroisse.<\/span> <\/span>C’est <\/span>là <\/span>qu’il <\/span>fêtera <\/span>son <\/span>jubilé <\/span>d’or <\/span>sacerdotal <\/span>le <\/span>11 février <\/span>2003 <\/span>au <\/span>cœur <\/span>du <\/span>pays <\/span>baoulé <\/span>qu’il <\/span>a <\/span>tant <\/span>servi <\/span>et <\/span>aimé. <\/span>\u00ab\u00a0C’est<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>là<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>que<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>vous<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>avez<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>exercé<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>une<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>longu<\/i>e<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>très<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>active<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>et fructueuse<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>activité<\/i> <\/i><\/span>missionnair<\/i>e<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>dans<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ce<\/i> <\/i><\/span>pays<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>dont  <\/span>nous partageons<\/i> <\/i><\/span>la<\/i> <\/i><\/span>souffrance<\/i> <\/i><\/span>en<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ces<\/i> <\/i><\/span>temps<\/i> <\/i><\/span>particulièrement<\/i> <\/i><\/span>troublés.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>\u00a0\u00bb (<\/span>lettre<\/span> <\/span>du<\/span> <\/span>s<\/span>upérieur<\/span> <\/span>gé<\/span>n<\/span>é<\/span>ral<\/span> <\/span>du<\/span> <\/span>21<\/span> <\/span>janvier<\/span> <\/span>2<\/span>00<\/span>3<\/span>)<\/span><\/span> <\/span>Peu <\/span>après <\/span>cette <\/span>fête, <\/span>il <\/span>écrit <\/span>au Conseil <\/span>provincial <\/span>: <\/span>\u00ab\u00a0fl<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>faut<\/i> <\/i><\/span>savoir<\/i> <\/i><\/span>se<\/i> <\/i><\/span>retirer<\/i> <\/i><\/span>pour<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ne<\/i> <\/i><\/span>pas<\/i> <\/i><\/span>gêner<\/i> <\/i><\/span>les autres.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>[<\/i>.<\/i><\/span>.<\/i><\/span>.}Pour<\/i> <\/i><\/span>mon<\/i> <\/i><\/span>affectation<\/i> <\/i><\/span>en<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Franc<\/i>e<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>je<\/i> <\/i><\/span>n’ai<\/i> <\/i><\/span>aucune<\/i> <\/i><\/span>idée des<\/i> <\/i><\/span>postes qui<\/i> <\/i><\/span>existent<\/i> <\/i><\/span>en<\/i> <\/i><\/span>France.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>[<\/i>.<\/i><\/span>.<\/i><\/span>.}<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Vous<\/i> <\/i><\/span>connaissez<\/i> <\/i><\/span>mon caractèr<\/i>e<\/i><\/span>, <\/i><\/span>pas<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>toujours<\/i> <\/i><\/span>facil<\/i>e<\/i><\/span>.<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>Merci<\/i> <\/i><\/span>d’avance<\/i> <\/i><\/span>pour<\/i> <\/i><\/span>votre compréhension.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>\u00ab\u00a0 <\/span>(<\/span>0<\/span>2<\/span>1<\/span>05<\/span>\/<\/span>0<\/span>3<\/span>)<\/span><\/span> <\/span>Avant <\/span>son <\/span>départ <\/span>de<\/span> <\/span>la <\/span>Côte <\/span>d’Ivoire<\/span>, <\/span>Mgr Siméon <\/span>Ahouanan, <\/span>évêque <\/span>de <\/span>Yamoussoukro<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>avait demandé au <\/span>Saint-Siège <\/span>que <\/span>le père <\/span>soit <\/span>décoré <\/span>pour <\/span>ses <\/span>mérites d’évangélisateur <\/span>dans <\/span>le diocèse <\/span>de <\/span>Yamoussoukro. Malheureusement<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>le père <\/span>est <\/span>parti <\/span>avant <\/span>l’arrivée <\/span>de <\/span>cette décoration. <\/span>Elle <\/span>lui <\/span>sera <\/span>remise <\/span>en <\/span>France <\/span>par le <\/span>père <\/span>provincial.<\/span><\/p>\n

Il<\/span> <\/span>rentre<\/span> <\/span>en<\/span> <\/span>France<\/span> <\/span>en<\/span> <\/span>2003.<\/span> <\/span>Il<\/span> <\/span>commence<\/span> <\/span>par<\/span> <\/span>passer<\/span> <\/span>pratiquement<\/span> <\/span>une<\/span> <\/span>année<\/span> <\/span>en<\/span> <\/span>famille<\/span> <\/span>pour se<\/span> <\/span>soigner,<\/span> <\/span>puis<\/span> <\/span>il<\/span> <\/span>est<\/span> <\/span>nommé<\/span> <\/span>à<\/span> <\/span>la<\/span> <\/span>maison<\/span> <\/span>de<\/span> <\/span>la<\/span> <\/span>rue<\/span> <\/span>Crillon<\/span> <\/span>où<\/span> <\/span>il<\/span> <\/span>va<\/span> <\/span>rester<\/span> <\/span>deux<\/span> <\/span>années.<\/span> <\/span>Au<\/span> <\/span>cours <\/span>de <\/span>l’année <\/span>2006,<\/span> <\/span>un <\/span>jour, <\/span>au <\/span>réfectoire, <\/span>pendant <\/span>un <\/span>repas, <\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>il <\/span>s’affaisse<\/span> <\/span>tout <\/span>à <\/span>coup, victime <\/span>d’un <\/span>A<\/span>VC. <\/span>Il se <\/span>retrouve à <\/span>Montferrier <\/span>où <\/span>il <\/span>va passer <\/span>les <\/span>8 dernières <\/span>années <\/span>de <\/span>sa <\/span>vie. Peu <\/span>à <\/span>peu, <\/span>il <\/span>va <\/span>perdre <\/span>conscience <\/span>de <\/span>la <\/span>réalité <\/span>des <\/span>choses. <\/span>Lui, <\/span>autrefois <\/span>si <\/span>entreprenant, <\/span>si actif, <\/span>il <\/span>est <\/span>maintenant <\/span>emmuré <\/span>dans <\/span>le <\/span>silence. <\/span>Souffrait-il?<\/span> <\/span>En <\/span>tout <\/span>cas, <\/span>jamais <\/span>une <\/span>parole <\/span>ni un <\/span>geste <\/span>d’impatience, <\/span>jamais <\/span>la <\/span>manifestation <\/span>de <\/span>la <\/span>moindre <\/span>douleur. <\/span>Voulait-on <\/span>lui <\/span>parler <\/span>de personn<\/span>.<\/span>es <\/span>qu’il <\/span>avait <\/span>bien <\/span>connues, <\/span>avec <\/span>lesquelles <\/span>il <\/span>avait <\/span>travaillé, <\/span>il <\/span>répondait <\/span>: <\/span>\u00ab\u00a0Mai<\/i><\/span>s<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>c’est qui<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>ça<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>?<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>\u00ab\u00a0<\/span> <\/span>Pourtant<\/span>,<\/span><\/span> <\/span>il<\/span> <\/span>avait<\/span> <\/span>gardé<\/span> <\/span>une<\/span> <\/span>certaine<\/span> <\/span>forme<\/span> <\/span>de<\/span> <\/span>conscience.<\/span> <\/span>Fréquemment<\/span>,<\/span><\/span> <\/span>le personnel <\/span>de <\/span>la <\/span>maison <\/span>le <\/span>conduisait <\/span>à <\/span>la <\/span>chapelle <\/span>pour <\/span>la <\/span>messe. <\/span>Quand <\/span>on <\/span>lui <\/span>passait <\/span>une<\/span><\/p>\n

étole <\/span>autour <\/span>du <\/span>cou<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>son <\/span>visage <\/span>s’illuminait <\/span>d’un <\/span>beau sourire. <\/span>Dodelinant <\/span>de <\/span>la <\/span>tête<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>il <\/span>semblait <\/span>dire <\/span>qu’il <\/span>n’était <\/span>pas digne <\/span>de <\/span>tant <\/span>d’attention <\/span>et <\/span>prononçait <\/span>clairement <\/span>un \u00ab\u00a0merci\u00a0\u00bb.<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>Ayant <\/span>passé ses <\/span>dernières <\/span>années <\/span>sans <\/span>faire <\/span>de <\/span>bruit, <\/span>mais <\/span>toujours <\/span>souriant, <\/span>sans <\/span>faire <\/span>de <\/span>bruit <\/span>il <\/span>nous <\/span>a quittés <\/span>pour <\/span>la <\/span>maison <\/span>du <\/span>Père.<\/span><\/p>\n

Deux <\/span>témoignages <\/span>de <\/span>confrères <\/span>:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00ab\u00a0Nous<\/i> <\/i><\/span>avons<\/i> <\/i><\/span>apprécié<\/i> <\/i><\/span>sa<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>simplicité<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>relatio<\/i>n<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>sa<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>spontanéité,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>son<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>aide<\/i> <\/i><\/span>si<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>généreuse,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>sa<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>foi, <\/i><\/span>car<\/i> <\/i><\/span>l’aspect<\/i> <\/i><\/span>pastoral<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>sa<\/i> <\/i><\/span>missio<\/i>n<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>la<\/i> <\/i><\/span>prièr<\/i>e<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>l’annonce<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>l’évangile<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>ont<\/i> <\/i><\/span>toujours<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>fait<\/i> <\/i><\/span>partie de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>sa<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>vie<\/i> <\/i><\/span>et<\/i> <\/i><\/span>en<\/i> <\/i><\/span>a<\/i> <\/i><\/span>été<\/i> <\/i><\/span>l’essentiel.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Merci<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Seigneur<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>l’avoir<\/i> <\/i><\/span>mis<\/i> <\/i><\/span>sur<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>notre<\/i> <\/i><\/span>rout<\/i>e<\/i><\/span>.<\/i><\/span>\u00ab\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00ab\u00a0Ne<\/i> <\/i><\/span>soyons<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>pas<\/i> <\/i><\/span>tristes<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>l’avoir<\/i> <\/i><\/span>perd<\/i>u<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>soyons<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>reconnaissants<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>l’avoir<\/i> <\/i><\/span>connu<\/i>\u00ab\u00a0<\/i><\/span>.<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>Ainsi<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>parlait saint<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Augustin<\/i> <\/i><\/span>à<\/i> <\/i><\/span>l’occasion<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>du<\/i> <\/i><\/span>décès<\/i> <\/i><\/span>d’un<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ami.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Mais<\/i> <\/i><\/span>saint<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>Augustin<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>voulait<\/i> <\/i><\/span>dire<\/i> <\/i><\/span>qu’au-delà<\/i> <\/i><\/span>de la<\/i> <\/i><\/span>souffrance<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>la<\/i> <\/i><\/span>séparation,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>il<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>y<\/i> <\/i><\/span>avait<\/i> <\/i><\/span>l’espérance<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>chrétienne<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>notre<\/i> <\/i><\/span>foi<\/i> <\/i><\/span>qui<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ouvre<\/i> <\/i><\/span>sur<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>un ailleurs.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Alor<\/i>s<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>nous<\/i> <\/i><\/span>auss<\/i>i<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>soyons<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>reconnaissants<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>de<\/i> <\/i><\/span>l’avoir<\/i> <\/i><\/span>connu<\/i> <\/i><\/span>;<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>ou<\/i>i<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>je<\/i> <\/i><\/span>suis<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>reconnaissant d’avoir<\/i> <\/i><\/span>connu<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Pau<\/i>l<\/i><\/span>,<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>d’avoir<\/i> <\/i><\/span>travaillé<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>avec<\/i> <\/i><\/span>lui.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Merci<\/i> <\/i><\/span>pour<\/i> <\/i><\/span>tout<\/i> <\/i><\/span>ce<\/i> <\/i><\/span>que<\/i> <\/i><\/span>tu<\/i> <\/i><\/span>m’as<\/i> <\/i><\/span>apport<\/i>é<\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>Paul. Que<\/i> <\/i><\/span>le<\/i> <\/i><\/span>Seigneur<\/i> <\/i><\/span>t’accueille<\/span><\/i> <\/i><\/span>dans<\/i> <\/i><\/span>son<\/i><\/span> <\/i><\/span>paradis.<\/i> <\/i><\/span>\u00ab\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Société des Missions Africaines – Province de Lyon Le père Paul André GOTTE1927-2014) Né le 22 janvier 1927 aux Olmes (Rhône) – diocèse de Lyon – Membre de la…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3662,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3663","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-necrologe-sma"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.defunts.smainternational.site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3663","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.defunts.smainternational.site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.defunts.smainternational.site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.defunts.smainternational.site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.defunts.smainternational.site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3663"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.defunts.smainternational.site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3663\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3912,"href":"https:\/\/www.defunts.smainternational.site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3663\/revisions\/3912"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.defunts.smainternational.site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3662"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.defunts.smainternational.site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3663"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.defunts.smainternational.site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3663"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.defunts.smainternational.site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3663"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}