Founded to immortalize the works of Roman Catholic priests Alphonse and André Quenum, the eponymous foundation officially launched its activities this Thursday, December 1, 2022, at the Paul VI Center in Cotonou. Father Alphonse is Father André Quenum’s uncle. Both “marked their time on earth in an indelible way” according to the ambassador of the Fathers Alphonse and André Quenum foundation, Jacques Adandé. Beyond their priesthood, they are engaged in citizenship at the level of religion in Benin.
The objective of this foundation is to immortalize the actions carried out by these two servants of God and to pursue their ideals and issues explained André C. Quenum, brother of Father Alphonse Quenum and uncle of Father André Quenum. Indeed, each of these servants of God and descendants of the same family have in one way or another transmitted the good values that characterize them. “Both had the desire to give birth to the important things that they carry within themselves. Father Alphonse Quenum, being a teacher, had the will to transmit truths to the students and share with them his personal convictions. This transmission of good values was also noticed in Father André Quenum, through his journalistic work”, testified Father Michaël Gomé, Publication Director of the Catholic newspaper ”La Croix” of Benin, successor of Father André Quenum. Alphonse was much more focused on the idea of upping the intellectuality of things while staying within the spiritual circle that is the Catholic Church. André was the daily experience of spirituality. He has created singing groups, animation groups, prayer groups, and groups that work in orphanages.
This foundation of Catholic Christian inspiration is open to everyone, without distinction of religious denomination, according to its president, André C. Quenum. Participate in raising the intellectual level of young Beninese through material assistance for diligent schooling, meet the conditions for the implementation of support adapted to young learners in difficulty, promote the values of ethics of the Beninese citizen in particular and Africans in general by helping to raise awareness and knowledge of the rights and duties of citizens and actively supporting the activities of young people and assisting seniors are among the activities of this foundation. The prayer sessions and reading of the gospel, the singing group to accompany the demonstrations and the celebrations, the interventions in the schools for the protection of the environment are the activities taken up by this foundation. “Alphonse Quenum was my mentor and I was André Quenum’s tutor. André was a child who really liked cleanliness in all respects. They are both exceptional people,” said Arsène Quenum.
Fathers Alphonse and André Quenum Foundation: Official launch of activities