Pope urges Benin's bishops to strengthen sense of Christian marriage

Published: 2007-09-20

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI urged bishops in Benin to strengthen the sense of Christian marriage among Catholics. In Benin, where polygamy is common, pastors should help guide couples not only when they are preparing to wed but also throughout their married life, the pope said. He made the remarks in a meeting Sept. 20 with the bishops of Benin, who were making their "ad limina" visits, in which they travel to the Vatican every five years to report on the status of their dioceses. The African country has slightly more than 8 million people, about 23 percent Christian, 10 percent Muslim and 65 percent followers of indigenous beliefs. Bishop Antoine Ganye of Dassa-Zoume, president of the Benin bishops' conference, told Vatican Radio that polygamy, officially banned by a 2004 law, was an unfortunate holdover from the country's ancient traditions. The pope said overcoming obstacles to the proper understanding of marriage was one of several pastoral challenges in Benin.

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