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Planned Diocesan Assembly to Reflect on 30-year Journey of Benin’s Dassa-Zoumé Diocese in “a synodal spirit”

Bishop François Xavier Ghanbodè Gnonhossou. Credit: Vatican Media
Justin Assalé

By Justin Assalé

Dassa, 04 April, 2025 / 9:50 pm (ACI Africa).

The planned Diocesan Assembly in the Catholic Diocese of Dassa-Zoumé in Benin to be realized from April 28 to May 1 is to be a platform for dialogue and reflection on the 30-year journey of the Beninese Episcopal See in a spirit of synodality, the Local Ordinary has said.

In his address during a Thanksgiving Mass to celebrate his 10th Episcopal anniversary, Bishop François Xavier Ghanbodè Gnonhossou said on the March 29 event marked “the official opening of the jubilee of the 30th anniversary of our Diocese, whose grand celebration will take place on 14 June 2025.”

Bishop Gnonhossou also “solemnly” convened the four-day Diocesan Assembly, which he said would conclude on May 1, 2025, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Arigbo, Queen of Peace and Unity in Dassa-Zoumè.

The Assembly, he said, would bring together the Clergy, women and men Religious, and the Laity.

“It will be an opportunity for the delegates to engage in dialogue, reflect on the Diocesan journey of these thirty years, and consider prospects,” Bishop Gnonhossou said during the Eucharistic celebration that was held at St. Joseph Parish of Dassa-Zoumé Docese.

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The Beninese member of the Society of African Missions (SMA) noted that the Diocesan Assembly would be driven by a “synodal spirit” in line with the multi-year Synod on Synodality that was concluded on 27 October 2024 in Rome.

“Let us all pray for the spiritual growth of our Church, and for our community, to remain united in faith and love,” the Catholic Church leader said.

He went on to reflect on his ten years at the helm of the Diocese of Dassa-Zoumé, expressing gratitude for the progress made and also reminding the people of God under his pastoral care that “as long as there is work to be done, we must not rest on our laurels.”

Covering an area of 13,931 square kilometers, the Diocese of Dassa-Zoumè serves a population of 719,477 people, including nearly 479,979 Catholics, according to 2023 statistics.

“That is an immense Christian population,” Bishop Gnonhossou observed. He went on to share some statistics, saying, “Over the past decade, 75,000 baptisms have been recorded across different age groups: approximately 60,000 infants (0–1 year), 10,320 children (1–7 years), and 3,080 individuals aged seven and above. These faithful are spread across 52 parishes, served by 125 Priests.”

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Bishop Gnonhossou underscored the essential role of the Laity in the life of the Church. He said, “What would the Church be without the Laity? One of the foundations of the Church's vitality in Africa today is the Laity.”

He emphasized the importance of equipping laypeople to understand their roles both within the Church and in society. 

In this spirit, he said, the Diocese has been working to enhance lay participation in pastoral councils and economic affairs committees.

“We have established a Catholic education centre that offers formation sessions for both engaged couples preparing for marriage and those already married,” the Catholic Church leader said.

Bishop Gnonhossou invited the people to pray for him and for Benin so that the country remains “a nation of faith in God, of peace, and a model in upholding human rights.”

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