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The Catholic Archdiocese of Lomé, Togo, mourns the passing of Mgr Yves-Nicodème Anani Barrigah-Benissan, who died at the Lomé hospital on Sunday, August 4, at the age of 61. His death was announced by the Conference of Bishops of Togo (CET), which expressed its deep sorrow in an official statement.

According to RECOWACERAO NEWS AGENCY (RECONA) correspondent in Togo, Mgr Barrigah-Benissan fought courageously against cancer, but his passion for music and the arts continued to illuminate his path until the end. His dedication to the arts was widely recognized, notably with the award of the Grand Prix of Togolese Theater Literature in 2020 for his play “Le trône royal,” published by the Nouvelles Éditions Africaines du Togo in 1993.

Born in May 1963 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Mgr Barrigah-Benissan was ordained a priest in August 1987. His ecclesiastical career led him to be appointed bishop of the Atakpamé diocese in January 2008, before taking over the archdiocese of Lomé in November 2019. As archbishop, he was also a staunch advocate for social justice, serving as president of the National Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace of the CET.

Mgr Barrigah-Benissan’s commitment to the arts was deeply rooted in his spiritual vision. In a 2020 interview, he stated: “For me, art is essentially a means of evangelization; it consists of expressing something beautiful, good, and great. And I willingly put it at the service of God and the great values that guide my life.” He viewed art not merely as decoration but as a means of communication and beauty that reflects human and divine experience.

With a discography of six albums and approximately 100 songs, Mgr Barrigah-Benissan successfully combined his talents as a singer and guitarist with his spiritual role, creating a bridge between faith and culture. His artistic work was seen as a reflection of his spiritual quest and his desire to share beauty and goodness with the world.

In addition to his artistic contributions, Mgr Barrigah-Benissan offered constructive criticism of judicial systems in Africa. In a 2019 interview, he denounced what he termed “suffering justice” and advocated for reforms based on mercy and social cohesion. According to him, “Justice can only truly permeate the life of God’s people on the continent if it is transformed by mercy, driven by God’s love which leads to self-transcendence.”

His vision for transformed justice marked his interventions and speeches, highlighting his commitment to a more just and compassionate society.

Mgr Yves-Nicodème Anani Barrigah-Benissan leaves an indelible legacy in the spiritual, artistic, and social realms. His dedication to music, his fight for justice, and his deep faith will continue to inspire those who had the fortune to know him and benefit from his work. During this time of mourning, we remember him with gratitude and respect for his life devoted to serving God and his fellow humans.

Rev. Fr. George Nwachukwu
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