Why So Few African Saints? Benin Symposium Highlights Delays and Scientific Hurdles in Canonisation Process

​-By Ruben Mario Brodrick 

Benin City, Edo State – November 14, 2025 – The Vivian Ogu Movement in the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City hosted its inaugural annual symposium to both commemorate the 16th Memorial Day Celebration of the Servant of God, Vivian Uchechi Ogu, and vigorously promote her Cause for Beatification and Canonisation.

​Held at the Archbishop Ekpu Hall, St. Albert Catholic Church, University of Benin (UNIBEN), the event drew priests, religious, and members from various lay apostolic groups. The central, academically rigorous topic was: "Paucity of African Saints, Challenges and Limitations of the Church in Nigeria." The symposium clearly established that the limited number of African saints stems from a combination of colonial-era attitudes, a lack of local collaboration, and severe technical hurdles, particularly concerning medical evidence.

​ Key Discussions on African Canonisation Challenges

​The symposium featured experts who dissected the issue from multiple perspectives:

​ The Societal and Ecclesiastical Bottlenecks

​Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Dumbiri, Director of the Vivian Ogu Movement and Chief Convener, emphasized the need to accelerate local sainthood causes. He directly addressed the root of the "Paucity of African Saints," stating that the slow pace is significantly hampered by "colonial mentality" and a persistent "lack of synergy and cooperation" among the local members of the Catholic community.

​. The Scientific Scrutiny and Medical Documentation Crisis

​Professor Andrew Ifeanyichukwu Obi, a Consultant Public Health Physician, presented on "Cases of Alleged Miracles and the Challenges of Medical Certification." His outline detailed the four stages of Canonisation (Servant of God, Venerable, Blessed, and Saint) and the stringent requirements for miracle validation.

​The Professor explained that the healing must be instantaneous, complete, and permanent from a severe illness, and critically, scientifically inexplicable by current medical knowledge. He highlighted the key challenge for African causes: the difficulty in providing comprehensive, high-quality medical documentation—including detailed written diagnoses, prognoses, lab results, and testimonies from treating physicians—that meets the rigorous standards of the Vatican's medical board (the Consulta Medica). The need to definitively rule out natural events like spontaneous remission adds to this challenge.

​III. Culture, Faith, and the Authentication of Relics

​Distinguished Senator Rowland Owie, KSJI, offered insights on "Relic Authentication and the Cultural Bottlenecks of Exhumation in Benin Culture." He defined relics as "visible signs of invisible Grace" and confirmed that Relic Authentication, which often necessitates the Exhumation of Remains, is a vital step to confirm the Saint's identity. He acknowledged the profound cultural sensitivities surrounding the disturbance of the dead within the Benin tradition, requiring careful navigation.

​. The Indispensable Lay Partnership

​Sir/Engr. Solomon Obeakemeh, Treasurer of the Knights of St John International, spoke on the Promotion of the Cause of Sainthood and the Role of Lay Apostolic Groups. He stressed that lay organizations are essential and non-optional partners. Their roles include: spreading grassroots awareness; gathering invaluable testimonies and evidence; providing consistent prayer support; continuing the candidate’s charism through works of service; and supplying practical/financial support to sustain the lengthy administrative process.

​. Safeguarding Pilgrimage in an Insecure Environment

​Dr. Adeshina Sowemimo addressed "Pilgrimage in Nigeria and the challenge of insecurity." He emphasized that prayer must be paired with proactive physical measures, advocating for religious sites to transition from being "soft to hard targets" through physical fortification, preparedness, and stringent cooperation between religious bodies and civil institutions, citing models from Israel.

​The event, which culminated in a robust Q&A session, underscored the commitment of the Benin Archdiocese and the Vivian Ogu Movement to see the cause of the Servant of God, who was martyred for defending her chastity, through to fruition.