Bishop Miguel Ángel Sebastián, Comboni Bishop Emeritus of Sarh (Chad), tells us about his early years in the country, proclaiming Jesus in villages and communities where people had not only never heard of Him but had “never seen a white person,” and about the current situation. (Video in Spanish)
As part of the Missionary Month of October 2026, the Comboni Lay Missionaries (CLM) of Benin, accompanied by their chaplain, Father Constantin Dangninnou, conducted missionary outreach activities in two mission centers within the Archdiocese of Cotonou. On October 18, 2026, they visited two stations of Hounvè and Fandji. Following the chaplain’s guidance, this served as an opportunity to introduce the Comboni Family, its various branches and the association of the Friends of Comboni to the local communities.
The existence of the Comboni Lay Missionaries movement in Benin was presented to the various parish communities visited.
On the following Sunday, October 25, the same message was shared with the larger parish community of Saint Francis of Assisi in Fidjrossè during three consecutive morning Masses (at 6:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m., and 11:15 a.m.). Father Constantin Dangninnou presided over these celebrations; the first Mass was concelebrated with Father Bernard Megnihoue, who had recently returned to the country after sixteen years of missionary service in Central Africa.
Throughout the various sessions, a presentation was given on the Comboni Lay Missionaries movement in Benin and its members. The movement’s activities and the pillars of its spirituality were also outlined, drawing significant attention from the audience. The love held by the founder, Daniel Comboni, and his vision for Africa were highlighted to further raise awareness among the people of God. The schedule of meetings and the locations for formation were shared with the faithful, with the hope of encouraging new members to join. At the conclusion of the celebrations, an exhibition—organized by the chaplain, Father Constantin Dangninnou—featured documents on Daniel Comboni, the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus, and the global Comboni mission, allowing the faithful to deepen their personal understanding of the Comboni family. This is how the Comboni Lay Missionaries (CLM) of Benin carried out their missionary outreach activities across the various Christian communities visited during this missionary month. It should be noted that all these activities and visits were conducted jointly by the Comboni Lay Missionaries and a missionary prayer group from the Friends of Comboni Association” at Saint Francis of Assisi Parish—a group for which Father Constantin Dangninnou also serves as chaplain.
To conclude these missionary animation activities, the Comboni Lay Missionaries (CLM) of Benin hosted a fraternal gathering—a shared meal—with the presbyteral team at the home of the group’s treasurer. The ABOE couple provided significant support for this convivial occasion, which served as a special opportunity to strengthen the collaborative ties between the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus, the Comboni Lay Missionaries of Benin, and the Friends of Comboni Association.
The priests expressed their appreciation, noting the importance of continuing this Comboni work as a response from the Comboni Lay Missionary movement in Benin to the Church’s call—and as an opportunity to give concrete form to Comboni’s development plan for African nations. Brother Lucien received congratulations from the priests regarding his commitment, which he formalized during the Provincial Assembly in Lomé, Togo, from October 9 to 11, 2026.
After the priests departed, the group members remained for a while longer to discuss further details regarding the strategy to be implemented to consolidate the movement in Benin.
The day, which began at 6:00 a.m. on October 25, concluded for us at 3:10 p.m., allowing everyone to head home.
Pierrot Hinvi, CLM group of Benin
As we celebrate this month the 10th World Day of the Poor, we pray that those with responsibilities in nations may restore justice to the poor and help them rediscover dignity and hope. Let us pray.
From October 20 to 23, 2026, the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus (MCCJ), in collaboration with CREC International, organized a four-day training workshop on digital communication, multimedia, and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in Lomé.
The workshop brought together 25 participants at the Missionary Animation Centre in Cacavéli, Lomé (Republic of Togo), including Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus (MCCJ), a Comboni Missionary Sister, a Comboni Lay Missionary, and laypeople responsible for communication in Comboni parishes. The aim was to strengthen their practical digital communication skills to better promote missionary activities and make evangelization more dynamic and accessible.
The workshop officially opened on Tuesday, October 20, with a welcome address by Fr. Fidèle KATCHAN, Provincial Superior of the Comboni Missionaries in the Togo-Ghana-Benin Province.
The training was facilitated by three experts: Fr. Fabrizio Colombo (Italy), President of CREC International and specialist in radio, music, and media production; Mr. Charles Ayetan (Togo), journalist; and Mr. Jacob Brahim Konfé (Burkina Faso), UI/UX designer and motion design specialist.
Combining theory with hands-on activities, the programme covered journalistic writing, interviewing, reporting, smartphone video production, podcast creation, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
Participants also explored AI-powered tools for generating images, videos, music, and voices, as well as strategies for creating engaging content for social media. Particular attention was given to ethical considerations, including information accuracy, privacy, copyright, and responsible AI use.
On the final day, participants applied their newly acquired skills to the production of an audiovisual programme, bringing together techniques learned throughout the workshop.
The training concluded on Friday, October 23, with remarks from the trainers and the Provincial Superior, followed by the presentation of certificates, a group photograph, and a cocktail reception.
Beyond strengthening technical skills, the workshop highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation in missionary communication. It also demonstrated how digital technologies and artificial intelligence can become valuable instruments for spreading the Gospel and reaching wider audiences, particularly young people.
This initiative reflects the Comboni Missionaries’ commitment to embracing modern communication technologies while remaining faithful to their mission of evangelization and service to humanity.
Ernest Segno Botri
CLM– Togo
From 9th to 11th October 2026, the Comboni Lay Missionaries (CLM) of Togo-Ghana-Benin Province gathered at the Leo XIII Spirituality Centre of the Canossian Sisters in Lomé for their first Provincial Assembly.
The gathering brought together CLM members from Togo, Ghana and Benin for prayer, fellowship, formation, discernment and mission. It provided an opportunity to review the life and activities of the national groups and establish common directions for the future.
One of the highlights of the Assembly was a presentation by Sr. Elizabeth Corte Imperial (SMC) on “The Laity in Comboni’s Plan.” Drawing on St. Daniel Comboni’s Plan for the Regeneration of Africa, she recalled that Africans are called to be the protagonists of their own history, evangelisation and liberation. The Assembly thus invited CLM members to reflect more deeply on the question: “What is our role today in St. Daniel Comboni’s Plan?” Comboni’s famous call, “Save Africa through Africa,” remains a source of inspiration for mission today.
One of the most significant moments was the celebration of the definitive commitment of five new CLM members: Lucien Aboe from Benin, Ernest Botri, Jean Akitibi, Benjamin Adjogble and Jean Baptiste Gbêssi Gnimassoun from Togo. The commitment ceremony took place during a Mass on 10th October 2026, commemorating the Solemnity of St. Daniel Comboni. Through this commitment, they chose to live out the Comboni charism and dedicate themselves to serving the poorest and most abandoned, wherever the mission may call them.
Participants also reflected on the CLM formation process, pastoral experience, ad gentes mission, language learning, administration, project management and fundraising. These discussions highlighted the need to prepare CLM members who can respond to contemporary missionary challenges with competence, faith and availability.
The Assembly established a new Provincial Coordination:
The national coordinations in Togo, Ghana and Benin were also updated.
The Assembly decided that the next Provincial Assembly would be held in Benin in 2028. It also emphasised the need to strengthen the financial autonomy of the national groups, facilitate French-English interpretation during meetings, and prepare the province’s participation in the Fifth African Assembly in 2027.
The gathering concluded on 11th October with Sunday Mass at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish in Adidogomé, followed by a fraternal meal.
This first Provincial Assembly was a significant moment of communion, discernment, renewal and commitment.
Ernest Segno Botri
Comboni Lay Missionary – Togo
