Roman Catholicism in Benin
Encyclopedia
The Catholic Church in Benin
is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church
, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope
and curia
in Rome
.
There are an estimated 1.5 million baptised Roman Catholics in the Republic of Benin, or about 23% of the population, in ten diocese
s and archdioceses. There are 440 priest
s and 900 men and women in religious orders.
The Catholic Church in Benin gave one of its most esteemed bishops, Archbishop Bernardin Gantin of Cotonou, to the Roman Curia as Cardinal Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for Bishops
and as Dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals. He worked closely and was a personal friend of both the late Blessed Pope John Paul II, who brought him to Rome, and the current Pope, Benedict XVI, who spoke of him when he visited his tomb in Ouidah, Benin in November of 2011, as part of a visit to that country.
Within Benin the hierarchy consists of:
Benin
Benin , officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in West Africa. It borders Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. Its small southern coastline on the Bight of Benin is where a majority of the population is located...
is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
and curia
Curia
A curia in early Roman times was a subdivision of the people, i.e. more or less a tribe, and with a metonymy it came to mean also the meeting place where the tribe discussed its affairs...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
.
There are an estimated 1.5 million baptised Roman Catholics in the Republic of Benin, or about 23% of the population, in ten diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
s and archdioceses. There are 440 priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
s and 900 men and women in religious orders.
The Catholic Church in Benin gave one of its most esteemed bishops, Archbishop Bernardin Gantin of Cotonou, to the Roman Curia as Cardinal Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for Bishops
Congregation for Bishops
The Congregation for Bishops is the congregation of the Roman Curia which oversees the selection of new bishops that are not in mission territories or those areas that come under the jurisdiction of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches who deal with the Eastern Catholics, pending papal...
and as Dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals. He worked closely and was a personal friend of both the late Blessed Pope John Paul II, who brought him to Rome, and the current Pope, Benedict XVI, who spoke of him when he visited his tomb in Ouidah, Benin in November of 2011, as part of a visit to that country.
Within Benin the hierarchy consists of:
- Cotonou
- AbomeyRoman Catholic Diocese of AbomeyThe Roman Catholic Diocese of Abomey is a diocese located in the city of Abomey in the Ecclesiastical province of Cotonou in Benin.-History:* April 5, 1963: Established as Diocese of Abomey from the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cotonou and Diocese of Porto Novo-Leadership:* Bishops of Abomey **...
- Dassa-ZouméRoman Catholic Diocese of Dassa-ZouméThe Roman Catholic Diocese of Dassa–Zoumé is a diocese located in the city of Dassa-Zoumé in the Ecclesiastical province of Cotonou in Benin. The diocese is currently a vacant see .-Leadership:* Bishops of Dassa-Zoumé...
- LokossaRoman Catholic Diocese of LokossaThe Roman Catholic Diocese of Lokossa is a diocese located in the city of Lokossa in the Ecclesiastical province of Cotonou in Benin.-History:* March 11, 1968: Established as Diocese of Lokossa from the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cotonou-Leadership:...
- Porto NovoRoman Catholic Diocese of Porto NovoThe Roman Catholic Diocese of Porto Novo is a diocese located in the city of Porto Novo in the Ecclesiastical province of Cotonou in Benin.-History:* April 5, 1954: Established as Apostolic Vicariate of Porto Novo from Apostolic Vicariate of Ouidah...
- Abomey
- Parakou
- DjougouRoman Catholic Diocese of DjougouThe Roman Catholic Diocese of Djougou is a diocese located in the city of Djougou in the Ecclesiastical province of Cotonou in Benin.-Leadership:* Bishops of Djougou ** Bishop Paul Kouassivi Vieira -References:*...
- KandiRoman Catholic Diocese of KandiThe Roman Catholic Diocese of Kandi is a diocese located in the city of Kandi in the Ecclesiastical province of Parakou in Benin.-Leadership:* Bishops of Kandi ** Bishop Clet Feliho...
- NatitingouRoman Catholic Diocese of NatitingouThe Roman Catholic Diocese of Natitingou is a diocese located in the city of Natitingou in the Ecclesiastical province of Cotonou in Benin.-History:* February 10, 1964: Established as Diocese of Natitingou from the Apostolic Prefecture of Parakou...
- N'Dali
- Djougou