TOGO : Bishop Philippe Fanoko Kpodzro in his last resting place on February 1st
The mortal remains of the Archbishop Emeritus of Lomé, Mgr Philippe Fanoko Kpodzro, will arrive in Lomé on Monday, January 29. The announcement was made by Mgr Nicodème Barrigah-Benissan, the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Togolese capital.
On January 18, authorities granted permission for the entry of the mortal remains of Mgr Philippe Fanoko Kpodzro, who passed away in exile. According to the detailed program provided by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Lomé, the flight carrying Mgr Kpodzro’s mortal remains will arrive in Lomé on Monday, January 29, 2024. « Ordained a priest and then a bishop for the service of the people of God, SE Mgr Kpodzro put his trust in God; we pray to our Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of this world, to welcome him kindly so that he may find peace and joy with Him, rewards promised to the faithful servant », wrote Mgr Barrigah-Benissan.
The funeral ceremonies will begin the next day. On Wednesday, January 31, at 6:30 pm, there will be a vigil of prayers and songs with the ‘body present’ at the Cristo Risorto parish in Hedzranawoè. On Thursday, February 1, the body will be lifted, funeral services will be held, followed by the burial mass at the same church, and the interment will take place in strict family and ecclesiastical privacy.
Mgr Philippe Fanoko Kpodzro peacefully passed away on January 4 in Stockholm, Sweden, at the age of 93, after 64 years of ministerial priesthood and 47 years of episcopate. Exiled since 2020 after the presidential election on February 20 of that year, the prelate remained a man of God deeply committed to a just and equitable society until his death.
