It pleased Pope Francis, on this 12th February 2015, to appoint Fr. François Gnonhossou of the Society of African Missions as the Bishop of Dassa-Zoumé in Benin. He was born on 3rd December 1961 in Cotonou. Until now he was SMA General Councillor. Fr. François tells us his first feelings: “first of all it’s a feeling of gratitude to the Church of Jesus Christ, this Church to which we belong. We have to give what we have received, by the grace to serve, where the need is felt, and where God needs us. It is also the feeling of awareness that we must always be ready to respond to God’s call to make the Gospel always and everywhere announced. And that the Gospel must be announced and proclaimed. I see myself first as heir to Mgr. Brésillac (Founder of SMA) because we are all his sons. But also as heir to Fr. Borghero, the pioneer of the Church of West Africa and all the SMA in Africa. I consider myself as a link of this chain that continues to spread, so that the Kingdom of God, the good news of the Gospel is always announced in Africa and all around the world”.
The diocese of Dassa-Zoumé is situated in the center of the Republic of Benin. It was erected in 1995. With a population of 645.000 inhabitants among which 57 % are catholic, Dassa-Zoumé covers a surface of 13.931 Km2. 46 priests, 62 nuns and several auxiliaries of the apostolate, administer 25 parishes that matter the diocese and several socio-educational institutions.
Father François Gnonhossou is the 3rd African SMA bishop, following Mgr. Nestor Nongo and Denis Aziagbia, both bishops in Central African Republic.