Born at Abomey (Benin) in 1942, he is a Priest since 1966.
He studied religious sociology at the École Pratique des Hautes Etudes (Paris), and theology at Tübingen and Regensburg, where he obtained his doctorate in 1977.
He was rector of the seminary Saint-Paul di Djimé (Benin) from 1977 to 1984; professor of fundamental theology at the Catholic Institute of West Africa (Institut Catholique de l'Afrique de l'Ouest), in Abidjan from 1978 to 1982; he founded and was rector of the Propedeutic Seminary from 1988 to 1999; professor of anthropology and methodology of social sciences at the national University of Benin.
From 2000 to the end of 2009 he was Secretary of the C.E.R.A.O. (Conférence Episcopale Régionale de l’Afrique de l’Ouest Francophone).
In December 2009 he became Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture.
He was ordained Bishop on 8 October 2011.
In 1970 he founded the Movement Le Sillon Noir (Mewihwendo) which he animated until 1999. This is a movement interested in cultural research and inculturation of the faith in Africa led by the intellectual wisemen who are the thinkers of culture in the oral traditions.
He is a member of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications and of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity.
He was a Member of the International Theological Commission for two five-year terms.
Publications:
La mort dans la vie africaine (Présence Africaine, UNESCO, 1979) ;
Jalons pour une théologie africaine, I-II, Lethielleux, Parigi, 1980
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