2016-10-23 12:29:00

Holy See signs Framework Agreement with the Republic of Benin


The Holy See and the Republic of Benin signed an accord on Friday 22 October that sets forth the legal outline for relations between the Catholic Church and the State in the west African country. The formal signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in Benin’s administrative capital, Cotonou. The framework agreement, which includes a preamble and 19 articles, gives guarantees  to the Church to carry out its mission in Benin. In particular, “it recognises the juridical status of the Catholic Church and its institutions.”

A statement from the Holy See said the two Parties, “while safeguarding their independence and autonomy, undertake to work together for the moral, spiritual and material development of the human person and the promotion of the common good”. Archbishop Brian Udiagwe, the Apostolic Nuncio to Benin and  the county’s foreign minister Aurélien Agbenonci signed the accord, which will enter into force upon the exchange of instruments of ratification.








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