Isidore de Souza

Isidore de Souza (4 April 1934--13 March 1999) was a Beninese priest, the former Archbishop of Cotonou.

He was born in Ouidah on 4 April 1934 and studied in Abidjan and Rome.[1] He was ordained a priest on 8 July 1962. De Souza was appointed Archbishop of Cotonou on 17 July 1981, serving until 27 December 1990.[2] He led the National Conference in February 1990, which was convened to address economic issues but returned Benin to democracy. He was instrumental in preventing the army from disbanding it.[3] De Souza served as the chairman of the Haut Conseil de la Republic from March 1990 to April 1991, setting up the presidential election and a new constitution. He persuaded Mathieu Kerekou to accept the succestions of the council and return Benin to civilian rule.[1] De Souza was the chairman of the Regional Episcopal Conference of Francophone West Africa from 1997 to his death.[4] He died on 13 March 1999 in Ouidah.[1]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Houngnikpo & Decalo 2013, p. 139
  2. ↑ Isidore de Souza Catholic Hierarchy
  3. ↑ Houngnikpo & Decalo 2013, p. 109
  4. ↑ Nouveau visage et nouveau nom pour le site de l'Eglise catholique en France (French)

References

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