On 23 August 2018, at 11.00, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in Cotonou, H.E. Msgr. Brian Udaigwe, titular archbishop of Suelli and Apostolic Nuncio in Benin, and H.E. Mr. Aurélien A. Agbénonci, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Benin, exchanged the Instruments of Ratification of the Framework Agreement between the Holy See and the Republic of Benin on the legal status of the Catholic Church in Benin, signed in Cotonou on 21 October 2016.

The solemn act was attended by:

On the part of the Holy See: H.E. Msgr. Victor Agbanou, bishop of Lokossa and president of the Episcopal Conference of Benin; H.E. Msgr. Eugène Houndékon, bishop of Abomey and vice-president of the Episcopal Conference of Benin; H.E. Msgr. Roger Houngbédji, O.P., archbishop of Cotonou; H.E. Msgr. François Gnonhossou, S.M.A., bishop of Dassa-Zoumé; H.E. Msgr. Aristide Gonsallo, bishop of Porto-Novo; Msgr. Luka Jogy Vadakara, secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature; Rev. Pascal Guezodje, general secretary of the Episcopal Conference; Rev. Eric Okpeïtcha, director of communication of the Episcopal Conference; and Rev. Emmanuel Michodjèhoun, local collaborator of the Apostolic Nunciature.

On the part of the Republic of Benin: H.E. Mr. Hervé Djokpé, general secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MAEC); H.E. Agnès Avognon Adjaho, ambassador of Benin to the Holy See; H.E. Mr. Bienvenu A. Houngbédji, director of Legal Affairs of the Ministry; H.E. Mr. Giono Morel Gnamy, director of the Department for Europe (MAEC); Mr. Ghislain Agbozo, adjunct director of Legal Affairs of the Ministry; and Mr. Luc-Arthur Adjou, special assistant to the Minister.

The Framework Agreement, made up of a Preamble and 19 articles, guarantees to the Church the possibility of carrying out her mission in Benin. In particular, the legal personality of the Church and her Institutions is recognised. The two Parties, while safeguarding the mutual independence and autonomy proper to each, undertake to collaborate for the moral, spiritual and material wellbeing of the human person and for the promotion of the common good.

The Framework Agreement, in accordance with article 19, enters into force on the same day as the exchange of the Instruments of Ratification.