Frédéric Hodonou
Frédéric Hodonou | |
|---|---|
 Frédéric Hodonou speaking at Summer School, 1981. | |
| Born | January 9, 1929 Ouidah, Benin |
| Died | January 10, 2016 Ouidah, Benin |
| NSA member | Benin 1975 - 1976 |
| ABM | Benin 1976 - ???? |
Frédéric Hodonou (January 9, 1929 - January 10, 2016) was one of the earliest Beninese Bahá’ís. He was the first Auxiliary Board member for protection for Benin, and translated some Bahá’í literature, including the Ruhi books, into Fon, a major language of Benin. In his career he was an accountant and he had nine children.[1]
Biography[edit]
He was born in the coastal village of Ouidah in 1929 and raised following traditional beliefs. He later converted to Catholicism but retained an interest in studying other religions. He was a painter and in 1959 he was introduced to the Faith by Madame Geneviève Lai, a French Bahá’í painter living in Cotonou with her husband, after discussing art with her. He declared in January 1960 and he began enthusiastically teaching the Faith which led to the Local Spiritual Assembly of Cotonou being established in April 1960, with three of the Assembly members having been converted by Frédéric.[2] He continued to teach the Faith throughout the 1960's, and in 1969 he spoke at a large Teaching institute held in Dahomey with attendees from Dahomey, Togo, and Niger.[3]
In 1975 when the independent National Spiritual Assembly of Benin was formed Frédéric was elected as a member.[4] After the revolution later that year the President of the new government met with the Assembly and after discussion decided to allow the Bahá'ís to continue to teach in the country. His service on the National Spiritual Assembly ended in 1976 when he was appointed as the first Auxiliary Board member for Benin, being designated an Auxiliary Board member for protection.[5]
In December 1977 he spoke at a nine day teaching institute in Porto Novo which launched a six week teaching campaign,[6] and in January 1978 he spoke at the first Auxiliary Board Institute of Benin in Cotonou.[7] In June 1978 Frédéric and fellow Board member Samuel Zodéougan traveled across Zou Province to visit Bahá’í communities, visiting Abomey, Bohicon, Zogbodomey, Yokon, Ataougan, and Aglimey.[8] In May 1979 Frédéric met with the National Spiritual Assembly along with Counsellor Thelma Khelghati to study the Naw-Ruz message and consult on the launch of the Seven Year Plan.[9]
In December 1979 he attended the dedication of the Enoch Olinga Regional Bahá’í Center in Porto Novo and cut the ribbon to officially open the building.[10] In January 1982 he attended the dedication of the Muhájir Center in Abomey and cut the ribbon.[11]
In addition to serving the Faith in Benin he also traveled abroad to teach in several countries of West Africa, and also Europe, Russia, Indonesia, and for three months, the longest of his tours abroad, in New Caledonia at the request of the Kanak tribe who wanted an African teacher. In 1988 he retired from his job and sent a request to go on pilgrimage. His request was granted, but coincided with his teaching tour to New Caledonia. He was able to spend six days in the Holy Land en route to New Caledonia, and completed his pilgrimage after his time there.
Frédéric passed away in Ouidah in 2016. The Universal House of Justice conveyed the following message after his passing:
"It is with great sadness that the Universal House of justice, through your e-mail dated January 11, 2016, learned of the passing of Frédéric Hodonou, a faithful servant of the Blessed Beauty. May the memories of dedicated services he has rendered to the Cause of God, especially as a member of Auxiliary Board, and as a teacher of the Faith – in particular, his enthusiastic contributions to the dissemination of Divine Fragrances in New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands – be an inexhaustible source of inspiration for all those who knew him.
Please convey to his family and loved ones the affectionate condolences of the House of justice for the loss they have suffered and assure them of their ardent prayers at the Sacred Threshold for the progress of his radiant soul in the Abhá Kingdom.
Prayers are also offered for solace and consolation of his family in this time of mourning."
References[edit]
- ↑ Baha'i News (1978). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 573, Pg(s) 14. View as PDF.
- ↑ Baha'i News (1978). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 573, Pg(s) 13. View as PDF.
- ↑ Baha'i News (1969). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 461, Pg(s) 19. View as PDF.
- ↑ Baha'i News (1975). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 531, Pg(s) 16. View as PDF.
- ↑ Baha'i News (1978). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 573, Pg(s) 14. View as PDF.
- ↑ Baha'i News (1978). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 564, Pg(s) 15. View as PDF.
- ↑ Baha'i News (1978). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 565, Pg(s) 17. View as PDF.
- ↑ Baha'i News (1978). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 571, Pg(s) 12. View as PDF.
- ↑ Baha'i News (1979). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 582, Pg(s) 10. View as PDF.
- ↑ Baha'i News (1980). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 595, Pg(s) 16. View as PDF.
- ↑ Baha'i News (1982). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 619, Pg(s) 15. View as PDF.
