Reverend Pastor Édiémou Blin Jacob, a prominent figure of Celestial Christianity in Côte d’Ivoire, passed away during the night from Sunday, October 18 to Monday, October 19, 2026, in a clinic in Abidjan, according to the announcement from his religious community reported on Monday by several Ivorian and African media outlets.
Head of the mother parish Saint-Raphaël of Abidjan-Vridi, he also chaired the National Forum of Religious Denominations of Côte d’Ivoire. His activity thus extended beyond the scope of his community, notably through his participation in initiatives for interreligious dialogue, peace, and social cohesion.
His last known public statement dated back to October 8. During a press conference held in Saint-Raphaël de Vridi, he called for reconciliation between opposing factions within the Church of Celestial Christianity. He emphasized forgiveness, dialogue, and joint prayer, while expressing the hope that the National Day of Peace on November 15 could bring together reconciled believers.
Édiémou Blin Jacob had joined the Celestial Christianity after meeting its founder, Samuel Biléou Joseph Oshoffa, in Porto-Novo in October 1975. He then devoted nearly five decades to this denomination, of which he had become one of the most well-known voices in Côte d’Ivoire.
Before his full-time religious commitment, he had been the goalkeeper for the Union Sportive des Clubs de Bassam, then a controller at the Posts and Telecommunications. He had also worked as a cabinet attaché, a professional background prior to his religious responsibilities and his work in interfaith dialogue.
