Catholics in Abidjan are reenacting the Stations of the Cross this Good Friday in a procession at St. André’s Catholic Church in the Ivorian capital’s Yopougon suburb.
In Ivory Coast, Muslims and Christians account for about 40% of the total population, with the majority of Christians living in the south of the nation.
A man portraying as Jesus Christ was observed being whipped by men with sticks during the procession, and the man was then mock-crucified on a wooden cross.
“The Stations of the Cross is a way for us to contemplate the mystery of our redemption, which required our Lord to surrender himself on the weight of the cross so that we have eternal life,” said Donatien N’guessan, a preacher at the church.
Before Easter Sunday, the procession drew sizable audiences.
Soumahoro Loukolon arrived to Saint André’s to observe the cortege. “I see the Stations of the Cross procession as a true representation of Christ’s suffering—the passion of Christ.” We are going to experience his journey on this Good Friday in order for us to be saved,” she remarked.
Easter is a national holiday observed by Christians on Sunday. Several customary celebrations are planned around this time.
