Canonical visits and evaluation of the management of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of Ouidah : Mgr Roger Houngbédji at the bedside of the community of the Basilica of Ouidah

Human life does not happen without an existential crisis.. The more humanely it is managed, the more it becomes a path of maturation for a deeper maturity. In his walk, the Basilica of Ouidah has, her too, experienced a major crisis which required several canonical visits from Mgr Roger Houngbédji, Archbishop of Cotonou.

If the first visit, carried out on 28 September 2023 aimed to listen to the various protagonists, that of 7 October of the same year clearly defined an approach to knowing the truth of the facts with the aim of finding a way out. Mgr Roger Houngbédji himself defined its object when he declared: “Following the crisis which arose in your parish community and whose excesses hit the headlines, thus causing deep wounds in hearts and a great division within the community, I had to urgently call a meeting at the Basilica, the 28 September 2023 (…). I expressed my feelings of deep dismay at the turn of events and this, despite the multiple efforts made to clarify the situation, soothe hearts, so that the search for truth takes place in dialogue and a more serene climate.” It is for this to be so that, to meet the 7 October with the leaders of the different groups, movements and associations of the parish as well as all the faithful who wish it, Mgr Roger Houngbédji sparked reflections which ended with the establishment of a first diagnosis which can be summarized in two hypotheses:

– The crisis comes from the weak capacity of certain priests to fully understand the specificity of the city of Ouidah which has a strong propensity for syncretism and ideals whose mastery depends on the tact and delicacy of relations with the Christian community.

-The crisis also comes from the failure of the administrative and financial management system.

To explore these hypotheses further, Mgr Roger Houngbédji set up an ad hoc commission of seven members to evaluate the missions carried out by Fathers Francis Sossou and Cosme Gbétie, both at the level of authentic faith, of fraternal communion and good governance during their respective missions as rectors of the Basilica. For three months, the commission carried out investigations and reached conclusions. To bring them to everyone’s attention and make related recommendations, Mgr Roger Houngbédji a, again, summoned the Christian community to a Eucharistic celebration followed by a time of sharing. It was Sunday 17 mars 2024. During the homily, the prelate clearly stated his intention in these terms: “It is for me the opportunity to report on everything that we were able to do within the framework of the canonical visit that I made to you a few weeks ago and to also give you an account of the work of the ad hoc commission which was set up to evaluate what was managed within the framework of the work in this Basilica”. The dialogue, who followed the mass in the Mgr Dartois room, allowed entry into the content of the surveys. Here we must remember that the major issues are essentially the good governance of the Basilica., collaboration between the priest and the faithful, and finally the challenges linked to pastoral care.

Concerning the first part, surveys have shown that good governance has suffered from failure to take into account all administrative and financial management rules, although the donations received by Father Francis Sossou were used for the benefit of the Basilica. The same goes for the work initiated by Father Cosme Gbétie. More, the latter set up a “Solidarity fund” whose administration remains to be specified. otherwise, as part of collaboration with the faithful, the managerial methods of Father Cosme GBÉTIE were more brutal than the kindness and delicacy expected of any pastor. The pastoral challenges relating to authentic faith and fraternal communion were also not given due weight..

All this shows that there are real problems to be resolved for the spiritual and ethical vitality of the Christian community and its pastors.. In this perspective, Mgr Roger Houngbédji gave the following recommendations: The culture of the spirit of sacrifice, the purification of hearts and the conscious choice of Jesus Christ as the only model of life; Strengthening the management and management capacities of priests before they are deployed for the mission, especially in Ouidah. Here, he states: “The repeated crises experienced by the parish community of the Basilica require that particular attention now be paid to the preparation of the pastors who will be sent there”; The Love of Christ and the Love of Neighbor, with the insistence that those who still hesitate can let themselves be touched by the call of grace, at this favorable moment; Strengthening consultation, accountability and regular reporting; The initiation of the dissolution of the Boards during the financial year; And finally, a community process of purification, of forgiveness and reconciliation. Here again, Mgr Roger Houngbédji declares: “I ask that the entire community can undertake a process of purification, of forgiveness and reconciliation. In this perspective, given the damage caused in the hearts of several faithful whose faith did not fail to be shaken, I ask to organize a novena of prayer which should lead to a penitential and Eucharistic celebration for the whole community”.

Before taking leave of the community, Mgr Roger Houngbédji renewed his total confidence in the current priest to continue the mission of evangelization in the parish. He exhorted the faithful to work in symbiosis with him like sons and daughters around their father. He reassured them of his prayerful closeness when he said: “I myself will not fail to pray for you and continue to watch over you so that you can serenely continue your walk following Christ”. He maintains the hope that the Christian community will be reborn from its ashes. He invites the entire Church of Cotonou to pray for this intention.

Etienne YEMADJE (Coll)