Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Cotonou (Agenzia Fides) - Thousands of the faithful (20, 30 000) attended the Mass for the 150th anniversary of the evangelization of Benin. The ten dioceses in the country were present with their Bishops, with more than 400 local priests, many catechists, women and men working at different levels. Even the presence of many Bishops in neighboring countries was significant, because from the ancient Dahomey evangelization started, stable and durable, even in Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Niger. The celebration was held on April 18, 2011 in Ouidah, in the presence of the President of the Republic Boni Yaji. On April 16, 1861 the Spanish father, Francisco Fernandez and Italian father Francisco Borghero, of the Society of African Missions, landed at Ouidah, to whom the newly erected Apostolic Vicariate of Dahomey.
had been entrusted – on August 28, 1860 .
As Fr. Renzo Mandirola (SMA) told Fides "Benin, former Dahomey, was where Mgr de Marion Brésillac wanted to go. He had asked to go many times, he had carefully inquired about it, had spoken and had prepared for his departure, " recalls Fr Mandirola. "But his wish did not come true. The newspapers at the time talked a lot about Dahomey as a consequence of the human sacrifice that were committed and so the Holy See decided to entrust the Vicariate of Sierra Leone, considered more secure. But security, as we know, is an unpredictable reality at times. Forty days after his arrival, Bishop Brésillac dies, in Freetown: he was not even 46 years old. Too young to die, already old for yellow fever. "
Fr. Mandirola stresses that "the virus of Dahomey" had however infected the just born SMA and Fr. Planque will point it out to the Holy See: "Even when the Apostolic Vicariate of Sierra Leone was offered and Mgr. De Brésillac accepted, we never lost sight that it is Dahomey that gave birth to our congregation. [...]You will therefore not be surprised, Your Eminence, that I pursue the same purpose and ask for Dahomey. [...] It seems to me, Your Eminence, if one has to die , martyrdom of blood brings more benefits to religion and to the missionary than fever. "
"Since then and until today the history and life of the SMA are intertwined with that of this Country: history of continuous commitment and suffering, of greatness and misery, of fidelity and weaknesses," said Father Mandirola. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 05/13/2011)
