Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Roma (Agenzia Fides)- “The future of our Church in Benin is to give priority to the family since the family is the basic nucleus of society and of the Church” Bishop Antoine Ganyé, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Benin and bishop of the diocese of Dassa-Zoumé told Fides. The Bishops of Benin are in Rome for their five yearly ad limina visit to pray at the tombs of St Peter and St Paul and to have meetings with the Pope as individual bishops and as a conference.
“Unless the family is united it has no self awareness and society and the Church cannot go ahead. In the family there are children, adolescents and adults. In this perspective we give importance to Holy or Missionary Childhood because what is sown in the hearts of children remains despite the difficulties encountered as they grow up. Even it the young person wanders away, later he will return to what he received as a child ” Bishop Ganyé told Fides.
“Within Holy Childhood we have various associations and movements of apostolate for children. These guarantee catechetical, biblical, human, moral, spiritual and psychological formation suited to their young age. During school holidays we organise school camps with school teachers and some of the bishops who offer to help in this service and at the end we organise a great pilgrimage, particularly in my diocese where there is an important national Marian shrine” said the president of the Bishops' Conference of Benin.
“We provide the same formation for adolescents who are living a difficult time as they become adults” Bishop Ganyé told Fides. “With regard to adults we stress the importance of marriage and its indissoluble nature. This aspect is not easily understood by our people and they find it a struggle to live fidelity in marriage. We explain that the indissolubility of marriage is not an imposition of the Church instead it is a law of nature, a law made by God”.
Bishop Ganyé underlines the importance of lay associations: “We have many Church Associations and Movements, Catholic Action, Charismatic Youth Renewal, Family Associations to help prepare the families of tomorrow, very active Associations of Catholic Students at high school and university level. For adults we have on going pastoral care with catechetical sessions. We even have meetings with non Christian parents whom we hope will one day receive the grace of conversion”.
“In conclusion, today we are building the Church of tomorrow” says the president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Benin.
With regard to inter-religious dialogue Bishop Ganyé says: “we have good relations with the Muslim community. However two aspects must be distinguished. In Benin there exists a traditionally moderate Islam open to dialogue. It is quite normal to have Christians and Muslims living happily together in the same family. The other aspect is that some young Muslims go to other countries for religious formation, mainly in northern Africa and many then return with an aggressive understanding of religion which is alien to the history and tradition of our country. However on the whole interreligious relations are good although Islamic fundamentalism is a problem in some northern parts of Benin”.
“We are on good terms with followers of Traditional African religions, Voodoo - says Bishop Ganyé -indeed most conversions happen among these people. Many are tired of Voodoo and are happy to talk with Catholic priests. Of course the custodians of Voodoo traditions do not like this but it does not stop us from having good relations with most followers of Traditional religions”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 24/9/2007 righe 49 parole 657)
