Benoît Comlan Messan Alowonou

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The Most Reverend

Benoît Comlan Messan Alowonou
Bishop Emeritus of Kpalimé, Togo
ChurchCatholic Church
ArchdioceseRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Lomé
SeeDiocese of Kpalimé
Appointed4 July 2001
Installed29 September 2001
Term ended26 June 2026
Predecessorfr:Pierre Koffi Seshie (1 July 1994 - 25 April 2000)
SuccessorEdmond Yawo Amekuse (since 26 June 2026)
Orders
Ordination28 July 1984
Consecration29 September 2001
by Philippe Fanoko Kossi Kpodzro
RankBishop
Personal details
BornBenoît Comlan Messan Alowonou
(1949-03-05) 5 March 1949
Tsévié, Maritime Region, Togo
Motto"Sufficit tibi gratia mea" (My grace is sufficient for you)
Styles of
Benoît Comlan Messan Alowonou
Reference style
Spoken styleHis Lordship
Religious styleBishop

Benoît Comlan Messan Alowonou (born 5 March 1949), is a Togolese Catholic prelate who served as the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kpalimé, in Togo from 4 July 2001 until his retirement on 26 June 2026. Before that, from 28 July 1984 until 4 July 2001, he served as a priest of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lomé, Togo. Pope John Paul II appointed him bishop. He received his episcopal consecration at Kpalimé on 29 September 2001 by the hands of Philippe Fanoko Kossi Kpodzro, Archbishop of Lomé. On 26 June 2026, Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation from the administration of the Catholic Diocese of Kpalimé, Togo, submitted by Bishop Benoît Comlan Messan Alowonou. That same day, The Holy Father appointed Edmond Yawo Amekuse to succeed at Kpalimé.

Early life and education

Benoît Comlan Messan Alowonou was born on 5 March 1949 at Tsévié, Maritime Region, Togo. He completed his primary and secondary education near his home area. In 1978, he entered the "Saint Gall" Major Seminary in Quidah, Benin. From 1996 until 2000, he studied in Metz, France, graduating with a degree in Pastoral Theology.[1]

Priest

He was ordained a priest on 28 July 1984 and was incardinated in the Archdiocese of Lome. He served as a priest until 4 July 2001.[2]

While a priest, he served in various roles and locations, including:[1]

  • Professor and Spiritual Director at the Minor Seminary of Lomé from 1984 until 1991.
  • Personal Secretary to the Apostolic Administrator of Lomé from 1992 until 1993.
  • Parish Vicar at the Cathedral of Lomé from 1994 until 1995.
  • Vicar General of Lomé from 1995 until 1996.
  • Dean of a pastoral area within the Archdiocese of Lomé from 1995 until 1996.
  • Studies in Metz, France leading to the award of a degree in Pastoral Theology from 1996 until 2000.
  • Professor and Adjunct Spiritual Director at the "Jean Paul II" Major Seminary in Lomé during 2001.[1]

Bishop

On 4 July 2001, Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of the Diocese of Kpalimé, Togo. He was consecrated bishop at Kpalimé on 29 September 2001. The Principal Consecrator was Philippe Fanoko Kossi Kpodzro, Archbishop of Lomé who was assisted by Jean Pierre Marie Orchampt, Bishop Emeritus of Angers and Francis Anani Kofi Lodonu, Bishop of Ho.[2][3] He serves as the president of the Episcopal Conference of Togo since 2012.

On 26 June 2026, Pope Leo XIV accepted the age-related retirement request submitted by Bishop Benoît Comlan Messan Alowonou from the pastoral administration of the Catholic Diocese of Kpalimé, Togo. That same day, The Holy Father appointed Edmond Yawo Amekuse, to succeed at Kpalimé.[3][4]

See also

References

  1. Holy See Press Office (28 July 2001). "Appointment of the Bishop of Kpalimé (Togo)". Holy See Press Office. Vatican City. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
  2. David M. Cheney (26 June 2026). "MicroData Summary for Benoît Comlan Messan Alowonou (born 5 March 1949), Bishop Emeritus of Kpalimé". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. Kansas City. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
  3. Jude Atemanke (28 June 2026). "Pope Leo XIV Accepts Retirement of Catholic Bishop of Kpalimé in Togo, Appoints Diocese's Native as Successor". ACI Africa. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
  4. Holy See Press Office (26 June 2026). "Resignation and Appointment of the Bishop of Kpalimé (Togo)". Holy See Press Office. Vatican City. Retrieved 30 June 2026.

Succession table

Association of Diocesan priests in Togo celebrates Golden Jubile