Catholic Archdiocese in Benin Aims for “ecological conversion” in “Green Church Program”

“We are not made to live in the present world in such a way as to destroy it. We are made to build the present with a view to the future, so that the future is one that ensures the welfare of humanity,” Fr. Akoha said during the press conference at the courtyard of St. Michael Parish of Cotonou Archdiocese.

The Green Church Program, the Vicar General said, seeks to support “the government's efforts and is part of a long-term strategy to raise awareness among the faithful of the Catholic Church.”

In the short term, the initiative is to “raise awareness on the need for ecological conversion as part of a culture of the environment, with a view to taking concrete action,” Fr. Akoha said.

He went on to highlight some of the concrete actions, saying, “More and more, we're talking about cleanliness in our churches and we're setting up bins to collect bags and all kinds of rubbish. These bins will be used more and more in the fight against waste.”

“Trees are being planted everywhere to create a healthy environment. The solar energy programme will be taken on more and more. Some churches have opted to use solar panels. I also see water purification,” he added.

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The Beninese Catholic Priest said that he found “educating children and getting the elderly to change their behavior” as the most important action.

“The Church in Cotonou is aiming to obtain the Green Church label,” the Vicar General said.

The Prefect of DPIHD, Michael Cardinal Czerny. is to be in Benin for a four-day visit that is to start on Wednesday, January 17.

Speaking to journalists about the visit, Fr. Akoha said, “It's a good idea for the Church of Rome to join forces with the particular Church of Cotonou and the whole of Benin, so that it can support the initiative that's being taken.”

He said that Cardinal Czerny’s visit “shows international organizations and ambassadors that what we are doing here is not isolated. It has the blessing of the Vatican and, at the same time, the Vatican is counting on it to move forward.”

“The presence of the Cardinal who is in charge of integral development and sustainable development is most welcome, because what we are doing here in Cotonou concerns him first and foremost,” the member of the Clergy of Cotonou Archdiocese said.

He continued, “Expected results are to show the world what we are doing and at the same time show them that we need their support to move forward.”

Cardinal Czerny is to participate in a Round Table to be organized in Cotonou on January 20 as part of the Green Church Program.

“The Cardinal, who has come from Rome, is here to enter into dialogue with the Church in Cotonou, which is at the same time in dialogue with all the institutions in place that are supposed to be helping us,” Fr. Akoha said.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.