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Increased “cases of murder, suicide” Cause for Concern for Benin’s Catholic Bishops, Who Say Human Life is “inviolable”

Members of the Episcopal Conference of Benin (CEB). Credit: CEB

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.”

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“As for those tempted by suicide, we remind them that death can never be the effective answer to man's existential problems,” they say in their statement issued at the end of their May 13-16 session at Saint-Gall de Ouidah Major Seminary.

CEB members say that “whatever the reason for the despair that might invade his soul, Man must learn to turn to the God of Hope, the true Source of Light, who alone has the power to dispel the thickest darkness of life to bring forth a new day.”

Catholic Bishops in Benin further say they are “counting on the determination of our leaders to take salutary measures and actions, especially in favour of the most vulnerable.”

“May the Virgin Mary, Blessed Mother of the Church, Queen of Peace and Our Lady of Better Tomorrows, intercede for us,” they implore, and add, “May God, the Sovereign Master of the Universe, continue to shower his many graces and blessings on our country, Benin, and on the whole world.”

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.