Italian missionary dies in an accident in Ivory Coast

(ANSA) – CHIARAVALLE, APRIL 19 – The Italian missionary Father Matteo Pettinari, of the order of the Consolata Missionaries, originally from Chiaravalle, died in a road accident in Niakara, a city in the central-northern area of ​​the Ivory Coast ( Ancona). The religious man died yesterday in a collision between a car and a bus. This was announced by the Superior General of the Consolata Missions Institute, Father James Lengarin and the IMC secretary, Father Pedro Louro. Father Pettinari, after having attended the seminary in Ancona, had finished his religious training at the institute of the Consolata Missionaries: since then 17 years of religious profession and 13 of priesthood have passed, with his ordination taking place in 2010 in Senigallia (Ancona ). After a period in some European countries including Spain, he was sent to the Ivory Coast where he quickly became known for his energy and vitality: thanks to the action of the Consolata Missionaries, it was possible to build churches, but also buildings for education and health hospitals for the population. In 2022 he became Superior Delegate for the Ivory Coast in Dianra, an Ivorian subprefecture. “We implore the light of the Resurrection for him from the mercy of God”, we read in a note from the Superior General Fr. Lengarin. “In great pain, we anchor ourselves to the hope of the resurrection, witnessed in a splendid way by the vocation and life of Father Matteo”, they say instead from the Diocese of Senigallia. A moment of vigil, prayer and closeness to the family will be held this evening at 9 pm in the Chiaravalle Abbey. (HANDLE).