Catholic Church in Benin

[2] The origin of the Catholic Church in Benin dates back to the effort of Irish and French missionaries of the Society of African Missions (SMA) to plant the seed of Catholicism in West Africa.

The first venture by SMA to establish an African Mission in West Africa began in 1858 under the leadership of a Lyon based father, Melchior Joseph de Marion Bresillac.

The proposal was originally opposed by Pope Pius IX but with Bresillac's determination, the propaganda prefect approved the mission.

[3] In November 1858, when the first group of missionaries sailed for West Africa, the location was changed to Sierra Leone as Dahomey was considered too dangerous.

West Africa was treacherous for the missionaries, one out of four died as a result of malaria or Yellow Fever In 1870, the name of the Dahomey mission became Apostolic Vicariate of Bight of Benin.

The land was severe for the missionaries and the conditions of operations was not helped by the Franco-Prussian War which affected SMA's supplies and communication to West Africa.