The Institute of Artisans of Justice and Peace (IAJP) commemorates 25 years of existence. To mark the event with a special seal, a pontifical mass will be said this Friday, January 6, 2023 at the Chant d’Oiseau in Cotonou. An initiative that serves as thanksgiving to God for the journey already made and the one to come.
The pontifical mass commemorating the silver anniversary of the Institute of Artisans of Justice and Peace (IAJP) took place on the morning of Friday, January 6, 2023. Ecclesiastical authorities, political-administrative authorities and other important personalities joined the leaders of the IAJP, to give with one voice, honor and glory to the Lord for the works accomplished in and through this institute during 25 years.
The late Bishop Isidore de Souza, the initiator of the IAJP
The Institute of Artisans of Justice and Peace was founded on December 22, 1997. It was under the prophetic vision of his Excellency the late Bishop Isidore de Souza. In view of the difficult socio-political situation experienced by Benin, the creation of the IAJP sounded like an emergency for the Church to reaffirm loud and clear that the harmony of a society is the conviction it promotes and defends.
Recognition to distinguished men of God
“Isidore de SOUZA and Father Raymond GOUDJO are names that are and will always be linked to the foundation of this Institute which today has just closed 25 years of awakening to the Social Doctrine of the Church in Benin,” said Father Eric AGUENOUNON, Director of the IAJP/CO in his opening speech. He also mentioned that the Vicar Generals Gilbert DAGNON and Théophile VILLAÇA and then Bishop Nestor ASSOGBA faithfully accompanied the project after the recall to God of Bishop Isidore de SOUZA on 13 March 1999. “This made it possible to start the very first work in September 1999,” said Father Eric AGUENOUNON.
The Social Doctrine of the Church, the foundation of the IAJP
The promotion of peace through the Social Doctrine of the Church, is the vocation of the IAJP since its creation in 1997. To date, the Institute of Artisans of Justice and Peace is spearheading a prodigious social ministry in all the dioceses of Benin. The IAJP is very active in the Catholic Education to which it brings an added value, based on the Social Doctrine of the Church. The IAJP also distinguishes itself by its perspicacity and remains a major laboratory of the search for Peace in Benin.
Several actions to the credit of the IAJP in 25 years
IAJP’s activities extend to 193 Catholic schools in Benin, impacting approximately 47,000 young souls. The IAJP in 25 years, has been the instigator of twenty symposia, several conferences on social at a rate of seven (07) per year, a slew of publications in the collection XWEFA and Editions du Chant d’Oiseau. And then hundreds of pastoral agents and social actors trained in capacity building.
“We confess that these results come from the Lord, He whom we celebrate every day in this chapel, Our Lady of the Birdsong, the spiritual lung of this house,” acknowledges in all humility, the Director of IAJP/CO.
He reaffirms for the occasion, the commitment of all the staff to give to the IAJP/CO and in the line traced by his predecessors, Fathers Raymond GOUDJO, Gatien AMOUZOU, Colbert GOUDJINOU, Léandre YEMANDJRO and Pamphile DJOKPE, an impulse of collective and fraternal work in the service of Justice and Peace.
Reconciliation, Justice and Peace, the three challenges of the IAJP
Monsignor Aristide Gonsallo is the archbishop of Porto-Novo. He paid tribute to the memory of Pope Benedict XVI, who was previously called back to God. For him, three challenges remain before the celebration of the next IAJP jubilee. Reconciliation comes first and sounds like a strong call to work in reconciliation and at reconciliation. Justice, the second challenge of the IAJP, is an exhortation to be an artisan of Justice in one’s family, by life and by example in the workplace. Finally, Peace, according to the book of Isaiah “The fruit of justice is peace”.
For Bishop Aristide Gonsallo, the promotion of peace is a daily quest that should never tire. “The dove, a symbol of peace, appears on the logo of the IAJP. This is not a coincidence and calls for more responsibility,” said Bishop Aristide Gonsallo. Opportunity for him to salute all the efforts for peace through the IAJP.
It should be noted that the pontifical mass of celebration of the 25 years of the IAJP ended on a note of prayers for peace in Benin and in the whole world.
