Bishop of Sokodé
Célestin-Marie Gaoua was born in Wahala, in the Diocese of Atakpamé, on April 6, 1957. From 1972, he attended St. Paul Minor Seminary in Atakpamé. After the seminary closed, he continued his studies at a state high school. Subsequently, he attended Saint Gall Major Seminary in Ouidah, Benin, for his philosophical and theological studies. He was ordained a priest on December 27, 1986. He later held the following positions: 1987–1991: Rector of the *Foyer du Petit Séminaire St. Paul* in Atakpamé; 1991–1994: Rector of the *Séminaire Moyen P. Jérémie Moran* in Atakpamé; 1994–1999: specialized studies in France, during which time he served as parochial vicar at Saint-Joseph parish in Montigny-les-Metz (1997–1999); 2000–2009: *Fidei donum* missionary in the Diocese of Sokodé, where he served as parochial vicar and later as parish priest at the Cathedral parish, and—from 2005 to 2007—as parish administrator of Notre Dame de la Visitation parish in Kulundé; 2009–2015: Rector of the Benoît XVI National Philosophical Major Seminary in Tchitchao, in the Diocese of Kara.