Cotonou, 19 May, 2024 / 9:00 pm (ACI Africa).
Catholic Bishops in Benin have expressed concern about increased reported “cases of murder and suicide” in the West African country, and urged respect for human life.
In a collective statement, members of the Episcopal Conference of Benin (CEB), who concluded their third Ordinary Session for the pastoral year 2023-2024 on Thursday, May 16 say the highlighted societal ills “call for prompt and urgent action.”
“We are concerned about the increase in cases of murder and suicide in our country,” CEB members say.
They express “deep sorrow and compassion at these events”, and recall that “human life is sacred and inviolable.”
“It is God's most precious gift,” the Catholic Church leaders further say, and call upon the “alleged perpetrators of murder to conversion and the fear of God.”