To the President of Benin (17 February 1982)

Wednesday, 17 February 1982, the Holy Father addressed the President of the People's Republic of Benin* in Cotonou. The Pope spoke of the important contributions that Catholics might make in this land, “by their number and by the quality of their vision of things, both deep and open to all aspects of life.” 

Mister President,

1. You see me particularly happy to have been able to visit my brothers and sisters of the People's Republic of Benin, even during a brief stopover, and this in the company of some of my close collaborators, Mr. Cardinal Secretary of State and Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, the child of this country of whom Benin can be proud.

This is why I thank Your Excellency for making it possible and for its smooth running.

And through your person, who bears with his Government the high responsibility for the temporal affairs of this country, I also greet and thank for their welcome all the Beninese people, without distinction of ethnicity and religion. This country aspires to develop – with mutual aid that it always desires to be fraternal and respectful of its own genius – all its material and human resources, so as to lead an ever more dignified life and freely take its place in the concert of nations. I understand and I willingly join this aspiration, because it corresponds to the will of God. This will be the work of the entire nation and it is to all its members that I express my sympathy, my wishes and my encouragement to work for their homeland.

2. Catholics have their part, and they are capable, as you know, Mr. President, of making an important contribution to this economic, social and cultural development of the nation, by their number and by the quality of their vision of things, both deep and open to all aspects of life. During one hundred and twenty years of evangelization, their ancestral qualities, which are great, have not been denied or inhibited by the Church, but rather reinforced, purified if necessary, refined and expanded by the Christian faith. This was able to deliver the children of this country from a certain fear by establishing their soul in peace with regard to the Creator; she constantly calls them to loyalty, to respect for love and life, to united work, to sharing, to selfless service, to forgiveness, to courage in trials, to hope. And Christians have spontaneously attached great importance to educational works and hospital works, as eminent forms of service. The fruits of this action are authentically African and Christian. Certainly they are still limited in extent, and imperfect; moreover, the Church knows well that it is a demanding work, constantly to be resumed, because it is above all about the patient and honest formation of minds and hearts, to enable them to face all their duties, as responsible men and women. However, it is easier to let ourselves be diverted for reasons of ideology or simply negligence. But we judge the tree by its fruits.

3. This is why Catholics, with their pastors, very aware of this issue, in their attachment to their homeland, do not ask for privileges, but want to be able to participate fully and freely in the entire life of the nation and in the responsibilities that she supposes, like all of their fellow citizens. They are sure that only there will true progress be found for all. And at the same time they want to be able to develop everything that their faith requires, at the level of prayer, education of the faith, religious practice, family life, group witness, meetings. required. They cannot accept teaching that is in opposition to their conscience. They know that man does not live by bread alone, and their personal and community relationships with God are crucial for them. Moreover, they only experience more ardor; in a climate of trust, to work to provide daily bread to all. They are counting on Your Excellency to continue to give them all these guarantees.

It is in fact the role of the Roman See of the universal Church to help Catholics to this awareness. And it is always the honor of Rulers to fully understand these deep requirements of their people and of the believers within their people.

4. You were kind enough, Mr. President, to recall the efforts of the Holy See to promote peace and justice throughout the world – two words which define the work of the Commission chaired by Cardinal Bernardin Gantin –, for promote understanding and cooperation, on an equal level and with mutual respect. Which is what we want, for the benefit of all people to whom we reserve the same love, the same consideration.

It is with these feelings that I sincerely wish peace to the entire Beninese nation.

I also wish him prosperity, happiness, social and spiritual progress. I wish him the best conditions of freedom and dignity in his relations with other powers, as in the internal relations between all citizens. And these fervent wishes, dictated to me by charity drawn from the Gospel alone, I entrust to God who wants the good of all and remains the judge of consciences and the Master of history. May he bless Benin!

I thank you again, Mr. President, for your kind hospitality.

*AAS 74 (1982), p. 624-626.

Insegnamenti di Giovanni Paolo II , vol.V, 1 pp. 535-537.

L'Osservatore Romano 19.2.1982 p.1, 2.

L'Osservatore Romano. Weekly edition in French n.9 pp.6.7.

© Copyright 1982 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana

 Copyright © Dicastero per la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana