Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosts Religious Freedom Conference in Benin

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On April 22, 2023, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Benin Cotonou Stake, hosted the Promoting Religious Freedom Conference at the Benin Cotonou Stake Center.  The conference brought together many religious denominations, civic and tribal leaders, and media.  The objective of the event was to help promote religious tolerance and to work together in an environment of peace.

The participants were led in a discussion by Church Communications Director, Leandre Adimou.  The focus of the discussion was how the community and religious leaders could work together to ensure the right to worship for all.  Several participants emphasized the importance of interfaith cooperation, noting that peace between faiths allowed all to speak with one voice.  It was also stated that working together would help promote national cohesion and help political leaders to recognize the value of freedom of worship.

“We must first recognize that we are all men and women from the same God,” said Senior Evangelist Gloria Adjahouto of the Church of Christianity Celestial. “We should value those that we meet from other religions and recognize what they can share with us.  We can share our values and that will contribute to the evolution of the nation.”

 A special guest at the conference was His Majesty King Kpotozounme.   The King shared his gratitude that the Church had brought the issue of religious freedom back to the national stage.  He stated that, “I expect that Beninese’s can think differently and that all religions  can come together and speak for the same cause, which is peace.”  He also stated that God is our creator and, “dwells in everyone’s heart.”

The participants were blessed to hear from the Choir of Bininese Unity, a musical group whose members belong to various religious congregations.  They sang the National Anthem and other numbers throughout the conference. The Conference was covered by local media with television station AZTV broadcasting highlights.  

Representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were Bishop Narcisse Dossougbo of the Cocotomey Ward, Bishop Alain Azondofi of the Finangnon Ward, Patriarch Joachim Lokossou of the Benin Cotonou Stake, Theophile Moutouama of the the Bohican Branch, President Ambrose Tokouzan of the Bohicon Branceh, and Carole Babalola, Stake Relief Society President in the Benin Cotonou Stake.