Benedict XVI states: “I call upon the Church, in every situation, to persist in esteem for Muslims” during his trip to Benin, Africa – the birthplace of Voodoo

By Bro. Michael Dimond, O.S.B.
Read more of Benedict XVI’s Recent Heresies

Toward the end of 2011, Benedict XVI made a special three-day trip to Benin, Africa. The country is not particularly large among African countries in its overall population. In fact, in population it is ranked #31st out of 54 African countries.[1] The main thing the country is known for (if it is known at all) is that it is regarded as the birthplace of Voodoo. Indeed, Benedict XVI’s official newspaper recently stated that Benin is the birthplace of Voodoo. L’ Osservatore Romano stated: “Voodoo is said to have originated in Benin.”[2] During his trip to Benin, Benedict XVI chose the city of Ouidah, Benin to officially sign his new, voluminous, and heretical Apostolic Exhortation ‘Africae Munus.’ The city of Ouidah is where a Temple of Voodoo is located: the Temple of Pythons (see below). [3] Benedict XVI made sure to pay a visit to Benin for these reasons, just as he chose to visit the places where the arch-heretic Martin Luther lived. I am sure he felt comfortable and right at home.

L'Osservatore Romano: Voodoo priests wait outside the Temple of Pythons for Benedict XVI's arrival

Benedict XVI’s November 19, 2011 Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Africae Munus: “By inviting to the Synodal Assembly our fellow Christians – Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, and in particular His Holiness Abuna Paulos, Patriarch of the Tewahedo Orthodox Church of Ethiopia, one of the most ancient Christian communities of the African continent – I wanted to make clear that the path to reconciliation must first pass through the communion of Christ’s disciples. A divided Christianity remains a scandal, since it de facto contradicts the will of the Divine Master (cf. Jn 17:21). Ecumenical dialogue therefore seeks to direct our common journey towards Christian unity, as we listen assiduously to the word of God, faithful to fraternal communion, the breaking of bread and the prayers (cf. Acts 2:42). I call upon the whole ecclesial family – particular Churches, institutes of consecrated life as well as lay movements and associations – to pursue this path with ever greater determination, in the spirit of, and on the basis of, the guidelines given in the Ecumenical Directory and through the various ecumenical associations. I also ask that new ones be set up wherever this could serve as an aid for mission. Together let us undertake works of charity and protect our religious patrimonies, through which Christ’s disciples find the spiritual strength that they need for building up the human family!… Various syncretistic movements and sects have sprung up in Africa in recent decades. Sometimes it is hard to discern whether they are of authentically Christian inspiration or whether they are simply the fruit of sudden infatuation with a leader claiming to have exceptional gifts…The Church lives daily alongside the followers of traditional African religions. With their reference to ancestors and to a form of mediation between man and Immanence, these religions are the cultural and spiritual soil from which most Christian converts spring and with which they continue to have daily contact… I call upon the Church, in every situation, to persist in esteem for Muslims, who ‘worship God who is one, living and subsistent; merciful and almighty, the creator of heaven and earth, who has spoken to humanity’. If all of us who believe in God desire to promote reconciliation, justice and peace, we must work together to banish every form of discrimination, intolerance and religious fundamentalism… she invites the followers of other religions to demonstrate respect and to practice reciprocity in a spirit of esteem. I ask the whole Church, through patient dialogue with Muslims, to seek juridical and practical recognition of religious freedom, so that every citizen in Africa may enjoy not only the right to choose his religion freely and to engage in worship, but also the right to freedom of conscience. Religious freedom is the road to peace…[4]

Benedict XVI refers to another schismatic leader as “Your Holiness.” He then says that Christianity is divided. That’s heresy. Christianity is not divided. It is (and always will be) united and undivided. Benedict XVI says: “together let us protect our religious patrimonies.” This means that Benedict XVI is encouraging people to protect their false religions of heresy, schism, and apostasy. He then says that Christian converts spring from the filthy “spiritual soil” of non-Christian religions. He then utters the outrageous heresy that: “I call upon the Church, in every situation, to persist in esteem for Muslims.” This means that Benedict XVI is commanding people to esteem Muslims in every situation, including when Muslims hack people to death for dishonoring their false religion. He then states that there can be no discrimination or intolerance for false religions. He then aggressively promotes the heresy of religious liberty and calls for the recognition of this heresy to be established in law.

Benedict XVI’s November 19, 2011 Address to members of Benin’s government and principal religions: “Everyone of good sense understands that a serene and respectful dialogue about cultural and religious differences must be promoted. True interreligious dialogue rejects humanly self-centered truth, because the one and only truth is in God. God is Truth. Hence, no religion, and no culture may justify appeal or recourse to intolerance and violence… Knowledge, deeper understanding and practice of one’s religion, are therefore essential to true interreligious dialogue… I greet all religious leaders who have kindly come here to meet me. I would like to assure them, as well as those from other African countries, that the dialogue offered by the Catholic Church comes from the heart. I encourage them to promote, above all among the young people, a pedagogy of dialogue, so that they may discover that our conscience is a sanctuary to be respected and that our spiritual dimension builds fraternity. True faith leads invariably to love. It is in this spirit that I invite all of you to hope. These general ideas may be applied especially to Africa. In your continent, there are many families whose members profess different beliefs, and yet these families remain united. This is not just a unity wished by culture, but it is a unity cemented by a fraternal affection. Sometimes, of course, there are failures, but there are also many successes. In this area, Africa can offer all of us food for thought and thus become a source of hope.” [5]

Benedict XVI again promotes the heresy that no religion may be intolerant. He then encourages members of false religions to continue to study and practice their false religions.

Benedict XVI’s November 18, 2011 Answers to questions during press conference on the flight to Benin, Africa: “… in most African countries, there are different religions present, and they coexist peacefully. There are Christians of different confessions – which is not always easy, there are Muslims, and finally there are the traditional religions, and all three of these different religions live side by side in mutual respect with a shared responsibility for peace, for interior and exterior reconciliation. It seems to me that this coexistence of religions, where interreligious dialogue fosters peace and freedom, is very important, and it is also an important element of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation… So I would say that the fresh humanism found in Africa still has a reserve of life and vitality for the future, on which we can depend.” [6]

Benedict XVI states that when Catholics live side by side with people who worship false gods, they do so with “respect” for their false religions. He also says that false religions have a “responsibility for peace, for interior and exterior reconciliation.” He then promotes a “fresh humanism.”