The Benin Episcopal Conference (CEB) has announced that Cotonou will host an international colloquium on African traditional religion on November 19-20, 2026. The event will take place at the Saint-Charbel hall in Akpakpa. This initiative aims to promote mutual understanding among different religious confessions and foster interfaith dialogue as a factor of peace and social cohesion.
The colloquium is part of the commemoration of two historical events involving Pope John Paul II. The first event was the interfaith prayer meeting in Assise, Italy, on October 27, 1986, where representatives of major world religions gathered to pray for peace. The second event was a meeting between the Pope and leaders of traditional African religions and Vodun cults in Cotonou on February 4, 1993.
The November 2026 colloquium marks the 40th anniversary of the Assise interfaith prayer meeting and the 33rd anniversary of the Cotonou meeting. The event will explore the relationship between African cultures, interfaith dialogue, and the integral development of Africa. The goal is to highlight the contribution of African traditional religions to peacebuilding and continental development.
The Benin Episcopal Conference hopes that the colloquium will provide a platform for participants to reflect on the role of traditional African religions in promoting peace and social cohesion. The event is expected to attract leaders from various religious backgrounds and stakeholders interested in interfaith dialogue and African development.
The announcement of the colloquium was made during the 79th ordinary plenary session of the Benin Episcopal Conference, held in Natitingou from October 25-28, 2026. The CEB seeks to strengthen collaboration among different faiths and promote a culture of peace and understanding in Benin and beyond.
The international colloquium on African traditional religion is a significant event that underscores the importance of interfaith dialogue in promoting peace and development in Africa. The Benin Episcopal Conference has taken a proactive step in organizing this event, which is expected to contribute to a deeper understanding of African traditional religions and their role in shaping the continent's future.
As the event approaches, stakeholders and participants are eagerly awaiting the colloquium, which promises to be a valuable platform for sharing knowledge, experiences, and perspectives on African traditional religions. The outcome of the colloquium is expected to have a positive impact on promoting interfaith dialogue, understanding, and cooperation in Benin and across Africa.
Key points
- The colloquium aims to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding among different religious confessions.
