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) are receiving tributes following the shocking passing of Bishop Nicodème Anani Barrigah-Bénissan, Metropolitan Archbishop of Lomé, on August 4, 2024, at the age of 61.

To this end, 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 family of the illustrious deceased. To the Bishops and the entire Catholic community, the President of HCRRUN extended her condolences and expressed her compassion and solidarity in this moment of distress.

Following her, the Special Advisor to HCRRUN, former Prime Minister Me Joseph Kokou Koffigoh, on behalf of the institution, honored the memory of Bishop Barrigah-Bénissan, an accomplished man of God with immense qualities, which were placed at the service of the Togolese people. According to him, imbued with selflessness, faith, a keen sense of listening, and a great altruistic temperament, Bishop Barrigah-Bénissan, at the head of the Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission (CVJR), worked with conviction and faith, demonstrating a clear will that allowed Togolese citizens to believe in the reconciliation process initiated for harmonious coexistence. At the CVJR, he lovingly carried out remarkable work and reports concerning socio-political violence from 1958 to 2005. These reports contain recommendations that HCRRUN has been implementing for at least ten years. “Whenever we carry out our victim reparation activities at HCRRUN, especially at the beginning, we gather the victims to talk to them about the process, so that they can understand the mechanism developed by the CVJR. But we do so with great joy, because it is the legacy that Bishop Barrigah-Bénissan bequeathed to us, and he was always there, as his prayers accompanied us. His passing is a great loss for us, but more particularly for the CET, and we wish to share this pain with you,” stated the Special Advisor to HCRRUN.

Bishop Isaac-Jogues Gaglo thanked the HCRRUN delegation for their visit and, on behalf of the Conference of Bishops of Togo, noted that the passing of Bishop Barrigah-Bénissan remains a total dismay and leaves a great void within the college of Bishops. However, he indicated, beyond everything, it is a call for cohesion and love that has been issued. “We are moved by your approach, and we can only pray for him. Let us remain vigilant, for the reality is that we are passing through, we are all brothers and sisters, and we have a duty to love one another,” emphasized Bishop Isaac-Jogues Gaglo.