A HCRRUN delegation visits the bishops to pay tribute to the memory of the late Bishop Nicodème Anani Barrigah-Bénissan

The Catholic Church and the Conference of Bishops of Togo (CET) continue to receive tributes following the sudden passing of Bishop Nicodème Anani Barrigah-Bénissan, Metropolitan Archbishop of Lomé, on August 4, 2024, at the age of 61.

In this context, a ten-member delegation from the High Commission for Reconciliation and the Strengthening of National Unity (HCRRUN), led by its President, Ms. Awa Nana-Daboya, was received on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at the CET headquarters by Bishop Isaac-Jogues Gaglo, Bishop of Aného and Apostolic Administrator of Lomé, representing the religious community of the late Bishop.

Addressing the Bishops and the entire Catholic community, the President of the HCRRUN extended her heartfelt condolences and expressed her compassion and solidarity during this time of mourning.

Following her remarks, the HCRRUN Special Advisor, former Prime Minister Me Joseph Kokou Koffigoh, paid tribute, on behalf of the institution, to the memory of Bishop Barrigah-Bénissan, an accomplished man of God whose remarkable qualities were devoted to the service of the Togolese people.

According to him, guided by selflessness, faith, a keen sense of listening, and a deeply altruistic spirit, Bishop Barrigah-Bénissan, as President of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (CVJR), carried out his mission with conviction and faith. He demonstrated a firm commitment that helped restore the confidence of Togolese citizens in the reconciliation process initiated to promote peaceful and harmonious coexistence.

At the CVJR, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to producing significant work and reports on socio-political violence in Togo between 1958 and 2005. These reports contain recommendations that the HCRRUN has been implementing for nearly ten years.

“Whenever we undertake our victim reparation activities at the HCRRUN, particularly in the early stages, we bring victims together to explain the process and help them understand the mechanism established by the CVJR. We do so with great joy, because this is the legacy that Bishop Barrigah-Bénissan entrusted to us. He was always present in spirit, and his prayers accompanied us throughout our work. His passing is a great loss for us, and even more so for the CET. We wish to share this pain with you,” stated the HCRRUN Special Advisor.

Bishop Isaac-Jogues Gaglo thanked the HCRRUN delegation for its visit and, on behalf of the Conference of Bishops of Togo, acknowledged that the passing of Bishop Barrigah-Bénissan has caused profound dismay and left a significant void within the College of Bishops.

However, he emphasized that, beyond the pain of this loss, the circumstances also serve as a call for greater cohesion and love.

“We are deeply moved by your gesture, and we can only pray for him. Let us remain vigilant, because the truth is that we are only passing through this world. We are all brothers and sisters, and we have a duty to love one another,” emphasized Bishop Isaac-Jogues Gaglo.