Cursillo Movement > World Expansion > Francophonie >|Belgium | Benin | Canada | France | French Polynesia |Switzerland |Togo
Texte plus gros Texte plus petit

The Cursillo Movement in Benin

Historical Account

For more information
(in French) :

Antoine CHIKOUThe introduction of the Cursillo Movement in French Western Africa is due to Antoine Chikou, from Benin, who, having experienced the Cursillo Weekend while studying in Belgium, was eager to start the Movement in his country. The Belgium Cursillo Chairperson introduced him to Father Loyola Gagné, s.s.s., National Secretary of the Francophone Cursillo Movement of Canada who was also part of the "CEI-MCFC", a spectial committee put forth to help with the expansion of the Cursillo Movement in the Francophonie.

The CEI Committee immediately got involved. The First cursillo in French in Western Africa took place in the Archdiocese of Cotonou on december 4-7, 2003. (N.B. It is known as the first in Cotonou but to be more precise the exact location of this weekend happened to be outside of Cotonou, at Saint Paul de Honton Parish in the adjacent diocese of Lokossa, due to some last minute difficulty. However since its organization came from Cotonou, and the Lokossa diocese is part of the Archdiocese of Cotonou, it is rightly called the first of Cotonou)

Team members of this first cursillo were:Carte du Bénin

  • Antoine Chikou (Benin) rector
  • Yves Méthot (Canada) vice rector
  • Jean-Pierre Gingras (Canada) assistant
  • Père Germain Grenon msa (Canada) spiritual advisor
  • Abbé Germain Kitcho (Benin) spiritual advisor assistant
  • Mimi Barette et Pierre Debatty (Belgium) rollists

Among the candidates of this first cursillo, were 3 Congolese, 1d Cameroonian and 1 Togolese (the latter was later to participate actively in the implementation of the Cursillo Movement in his country).

Three years later, the Cursillo Movement had already spread to four other dioceses: the Diocese of Abomey in Benin, and three dioceses in the neighboring country Togo: Lomé, Atakpamé and Kpalimé.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Diocesan Leaders

The Cursillo Movement is currently located in two dioceses in Benin

Archdiocese of Cotonou

Floriant DANSOUChristiane TOKPASSI SODONON

 

The diocesan leaders are:
Florent DANSOU and Christiane TOKPASSI SODONON (left)

The position of spiritual advisor is currently vacant.

Diocese of Abomey

Jean-Olivier CHEOUP. Yves HOUNLIHO 

 

The diocesan leaders are: Jean-Olivier CHÉOU, founder of the CM in the diocese (left), and Serge ANATO

Spritual advisor: Fr Yves HOUNLIHO (right)

Current Events

Abomey:

As previously announced, a Cursillo was held in Abomey on February 25-28 2010 and has brought together fifteen candidates, including five from the diocese of Cotonou.

 

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________