College of Cardinals

Biographical notes

[Updated: 22.02.2014]

Notice: the biographical notes are only a working instrument for the press.

Cardinal Jean-Pierre Kutwa, archbishop of Abidjan (Ivory Coast), was born on 22 December 1945 at Blockhauss in the archdiocese of Abidjan. After attending the minor seminary in Bingerville, he went on to study theology at Anyama.

He was ordained a priest for the archdiocese of Abidjan on 11 July 1971.

He subsequently obtained a "Maîtrise" in biblical theology at the Catholic Institute of West Africa (I.C.A.O) and a doctorate in biblical theology from the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome.

He has served as deputy priest and parish priest (1977-1987), and parish priest of the "St. Paul du Plateau" Cathedral (1987-1995). From 1996 to 2001, he was parish priest at "Notre Dame" of Treichville and national assistant of Catholic Student Youth (J.E.C).

On 15 May 2001 Blessed John Paul II appointed him as metropolitan archbishop of Gagnoa (Ivory Coast). He received Episcopal ordination on 16 September of the same year.

On 2 May 2006 he was appointed as metropolitan archbishop of Abidjan (Ivory Coast).

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Pope Francis in the consistory of 22 February 2014, of the Title of Sant’Emerenziana a Tor Fiorenza.