'God Bless Benin' says Pope Benedict arriving on African soil
Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in Benin for a three day Apostolic visit . Veronica
Scarisbrick reports on his first afternoon in this West African nation :
“God Bless Benin” said Pope Benedict XVI in Fon , a local language , as he arrived
in the Republic of Benin on the afternoon of Friday November 18th .
It
must have been a moving moment for him as he landed at the nation’s international
airport of Cotonou, the economic capital . An airport named after one he was close
to for many years in the Vatican: the first sub Saharan African cardinal , Bernardin
Gantin . Earlier on his way there , answering a journalist’s question on the plane
he had highlighted his admiration for his former colleagues’ practical and profound
intelligence and faith and even his sense of humour.
And when he was greeted
by the President of the nation Mr Thomas Yayi Boni and his wife, together with civil
and religious authorities , the atmosphere was warm and welcoming in true African
style. And the Holy Father expressed his affection both to the Government and the
local Bishop’s conference for inviting him during the year in which Benin celebrates
the fourtieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Holy
See, as well the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its evangelisation.
The
Pope then highlighted the broader outreach of this Apostolic journey: “This Apostolic
Journey”, he stressed, “ also fulfils my desire to bring back to African soil the
Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Africae Munus. Its reflections will guide the
pastoral activities of numerous Christian communities in the coming years. May this
document set seed and take root, grow and bear much fruit “in one case a hundredfold,
in another sixty, and in another thirty”, as Christ himself said .”
More broadly
in his arrival speech Benedict also payed tribute to the former Kingdom of Dahomey’s
ancient and noble traditions, pointing to the contribution of traditional chiefs
on the path forward: “ I would like ", he said,“ to encourage them to contribute,
with their wisdom and understanding of local customs, in the delicate transition currently
under way from the traditional to the contemporary ”.
Finally the Pope highlighted
how the Church might contribute in a specific way to that path forward: “ By her
presence, her prayer and her various works of mercy, especially in education and health
care, she wishes to give her best to everyone. She wants to be close to those who
are in need, near to those who search for God. She wants to make it understood that
God is neither absent nor irrelevant as some would have us believe but that he is
the friend of man. It is in this spirit of friendship and of fraternity that I come
to your country”.
Following his arrival Pope Benedict then covered the 12 kilometres
to the Cathedral of Cotonou by popemobile surrounded by enthusiastic crowds, crossing
the two bridges over the canal between the lagoon and Atlantic Ocean, slowly making
his way towards the city’s Cathedral, an early 20th century architectural
building decorated with alternate rows of burgundy and white brick. It’s dedicated
to Our Lady of Mercy and when the Pope spoke he focused his attention on Mercy: “As
we praise God for the marvels which he never ceases to bestow upon humanity, I invite
you to meditate for a moment on his infinite mercy”.
A moment earlier he had
shone the spotlight on two former Archbishops of Cotonou buried there , describing
them as heroic workers in the vineyard of the Lord and pastors full of zeal and charity.
On a more historical note the Holy Father did not neglect to point to the decisive
role of one of these men, Archbishop de Sousa, in the country’s transition to democracy
.
It was a prayerful moment, ending with a blessing and a Prayer to Our Lady
of Africa , asking Her to obtain for all of humanity salvation and peace!