Monday, February 16, 2015

He served with us

On Thursday of this past week, February 12, the Holy Father, Pope Francis named Father François Gnonhossou, S.M.A. (Society of Missionaries of Africa), the new Bishop of Dassa-Zoumé (Benin).  Until then, Father Gnonhossou had been serving as the Counsellor General of the Society of Missionaries of Africa.

Father Gnonhossou was born on December 3, 1961 in Dassa-Zoumé.  Before entering the Seminary, he completed advanced studies in accounting, obtaining a Diploma in this field.  He also holds a Licence in Civil Law which he was granted by the State University of Cotonou.  After his years of formation in philosophy and theology at the Saint Gall Seminary in Ouidah and at the Seminary of Saints Peter and Paul in Idaban (Nigeria), where he completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Theology, he took perpetual vows in the Society of Missionaries of Africa on December 6, 1996 and was ordained a priest on July 26, 1997.

From 1997 to 1998, he spent a year of pastoral orientation and learned the Ahoussa language in Kotangoro (Nigeria) and then was assigned the following pastoral responsibilities:

  • 1998-2001: Associate pastor in the rural missions of Guffanti, in the Apostolic Vicariate of Kontagora (Nigeria);
  • 2001-2003: Pastor at Guffanti;
  • 2003-2004: Chaplain of the Apprentis d'Auteil (an organization for the formation of youth in difficulty) in Paris and a student at the Institut de Formation des Evêques et du Clergé at the Institut Catholique;
  • 2004-2007: District Vice-superior for African Formation for the Missionaries of Africa and director of the Formation house;
  • 2007-2008: District Superior for African Formation for the Missionaries of Africa;
  • 2009-2011: Associate in various parishes in the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie (Canada);
  • 2011-2013: Associate pastor of Saint-Sylvain parish in Laval (Montreal), Missionary Animator for the Society of Missionaries of Africa and local community treasurer.
He has served as Counsellor General of the Society of Missionaries of Africa in Rome since 2013.

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