Bishop Raphaël Balla Guilavogui

Rev. Raphaël Balla Guilavogui was born on September 26, 1964, in Woleme, a village in the Diocese of N’Zérékoré. He attended primary school in his home village. Subsequently, he entered the "Saint Eugène de Samoé" Minor Seminary. He completed his philosophical and theological studies at the St. Augustin Major Seminary in Bamako and the Major Seminary of Koumi in Burkina Faso. He was ordained a priest on November 14, 1993, in the Cathedral of N’Zérékoré. Following his ordination, he held the following positions: 1993–1997: Parochial Vicar in Koulouma; 1997–2001: Parochial Vicar in Macenta; 2001–2003: Licentiate studies in Biblical Theology at the Catholic University of West Africa (U.C.A.O.) and studies for a degree in Biblical Theology at the Pontifical Urban University.