Nigeria’s Bishop Badejo on a visit to the Republic of Benin affirms the roots of his people.

It was with great excitement that, recently, the Catholic community of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Save in Dassa-Zoumé Diocese of the Republic of Benin welcomed the Nigerian Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Emmanuel Ade' Badejo. The Bishop arrived with his entourage comprising the Vicar General, Mgr. Emmanuel Bolaji Yakubu and two other priests namely, Frs. Paul Olawoore and Peter Akinola. The visit was on the occasion of 90th anniversary of the parish of St. Joseph's in Save, Benin.

The Republic of Benin’s St. Joseph's Save Catholic Parish Priest, Fr. Arnauld Adjeran, several priests as well as the faithful welcomed the entourage. The people greeted the arrival of the Bishop with beautiful traditional dance steps and inspiring music as they led the Bishop into the parish Church. As part of the traditional welcome ritual, the people poured water in the path of the visitor, a sign that represents the people's desire that the Bishop's visit brings them peace and blessings.

In his welcome remarks, the parish priest on behalf of the faithful thanked the Bishop for the visit, pointing to the fact that the Yoruba speaking people of Save in Benin and those of Oyo, Nigeria are brothers and sisters with a common root and ancestry. The Parish Council Chairman also thanked the Bishop for honouring their invitation. He pointed to the significance of tracing the historical link between the people of Save and Oyo. That historical  link was geographically tampered-with in the unwitty division of Africa by European colonial rulers who did not consider the historical bonds of a people now divided by an artificial national border.

In his response, Bishop Badejo also thanked his hosts for the thoughtfulness of inviting him from Nigeria, an action that he said would signal the beginning of greater bonds between the two dioceses comprising of people with common historical descent. He prayed for the people and blessed their land.

After the short Church ceremony, the Bishop's entourage moved to the Diocesan Bishop's house at Dassa-Zoumé where Bishop Badejo met with the Diocesan Apostolic Administrator, Fr. Benoît Gbemavo Goudote.

During his brief stay in Save, Bishop Badejo also visited the Diocesan Marian pilgrimage centre, several parishes and communities where he was received with great joy by large crowds of the Catholic faithful.

On the D-day of the 90th anniversary of St. Joseph’s parish in Save, Bishop Badejo was main celebrant of the Eucharistic celebration. In his homily, during the culturally animated celebration, Bishop Badejo expressed his delight at having been invited to the anniversary. He prayed that the anniversary would bring peace, joy and progress to the entire Save land. Furthermore, he encouraged the people to be appreciative of God's goodness and to remember always the good works of missionaries who planted the seed of faith in Save. That flame of faith should never grow dim. He thanked the priests and religious of Save land for the good works they were doing. He further exhorted the people to allow themselves be used by God for his greater glory.

After the Mass, the people were treated to a sumptuous feast and entertainment.

The Catholic Diocese of Dassa–Zoumé is a diocese located in the city of Dassa-Zoumé in the Ecclesiastical province of Cotonou in Benin. The diocese is currently a vacant See (sede vacante).

(Source: Fr. Peter Akinola of Oyo Diocese)

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