THE CHURCH OF
SENEGAL
The Diocese of Dakar, created in 1955
Cardinal: His Eminence Cardinal Theodore Adrien SARR
The Diocese of Ziguinchor, created in 1955
Bishop: The Bishop Maixent COLY Exellence
The Diocese of Kaolack, created in 1965
Bishop: Bishop Benjamin His Exellence NDIAYE
The Diocese of Saint-Louis, founded in 1966
Bishop: The Bishop Ernest Sambou Exellence
The Diocese of Thiès, created in 1969
Bishop: Bishop Jacques His Exellence SARR
The Diocese of Tambacounda, created in 1989
Bishop: Bishop Jean His Exellence Christmas DIOUF
The Diocese of Kolda, created in 2000
Bishop: The Bishop Jean Pierre Exellence Bassène
PILGRIMAGE OF Popenguine
"The appearance of Mary, here, has not been verified"
The place is quiet. A quiet disturbed by the twittering of birds.
Guide my circumstance and I are facing the cave is nestled where the
statue of the Virgin Mary worshiped by Christians and Muslims. The
representation of the holy woman watches tenderly laying his
honorable son, Jesus Christ, better known under the name of Insa
among Muslims. On the lawn, tasks candles melted in the sun recall
the passage of people from implore Mary and her son. Bouquets of
artificial flowers hung, candles started end of the scene. Some
Christians argue that the Virgin first appeared to men here, as at
Fatima. This belief is not shared entirely by the master of the
house, Father Jean-Marie. "The appearance of the Virgin Mary to
Popenguine has not been verified," says the priest. "Mary was
invited here by the Church through Bishop Picard. , "He says in a
vocabulary peculiar to Ecclesiastes prudent. It was in 1888 that the
sanctuary was built and consecrated the same year. There was already
a small Christian community that had made the first pilgrimage to
Popenguine, a Whit Tuesday. He later that the day of the pilgrimage
was reduced to Monday, the day after Pentecost, the father explains
Jean-Marie.
During his visit to Senegal in 1992, Pope John Paul II has
"confirmed the presence of Mary and acknowledged the validity of the
place of worship," the priest. The same year, we speak of Mary,
refuge of fishermen. This presence of Mary, also known as Our Lady
of Délivrande will form the site of the Virgin of Fatima and the
Martinique triangle of grace. This triangle between Africa, America
and Europe, came to repair the harm done to humanity by the shame of
it was the circuit feeding the slave trade. Many Catholics visit the
place to pray and repent.
A few meters away is the imposing basilica which houses the masses. The
first stone of the building was laid in 1888 and the final touch was
made in 1988, a century of construction, shows the father John. The
mission, which was held by priests in Europe, was closed 18 times,
often because of problems such as wars. It was at Popenguine
qu'étaient trained young sisters in the novitiate of the
congregation Aboriginal ago as more than 150 years, we learn the
father Jean-Marie. Popenguine also hosted the seminar, before his
transfer to Sébikotane. Several monastic orders have succeeded
instead of worship Spiritans fathers and brothers of St. John, these
last 15 years. This will not be until 2000 that the first African
priest, named after Gilbert Idabalo, a native of Togo will be made
pastor of Popenguine.
From Popenguine, Senegalese often retain the Catholic pilgrimage the
day after Pentecost. The town has had a turbulent history before
becoming today the sacred place for Catholics from Senegal, and the
place of inter-religious. Reportedly septuagénaire Baïta of Dione,
one of the few beneficiaries of the past of the village, Popenguine
a village is 340 years old. At the time, the elephants came to drink
from rivers and creeks of the area, says Mr. Mbengue, another
notable Lebouis origins and Serere.
The first inhabitants were the ancestors of today Sérères that
comprise the bulk of its population, but ethnic Socé. This
phenomenon of precedence of Socés is common in several localities
Serer. We remember that the nobility of Sine is a part of its roots
in that ethnic group. But Popenguine the Socés were opposed to any
contact with the newcomers. In the Sine, they were almost swallowed
up. In this period of treatment of the Negroes, they preferred to
leave room for Serer Safènes and Lébous from the West. According to
the old man, the first resident Mbougane named Faye. He had enjoyed
at home in the village he founded. Indeed, coming out, as usual, the
man lit a fire that would define his tenure, according to the
burning surface. Unfortunately, the fire took its fury Fatim Samb, a
woman from a village that was located at the site of the present
city of Rufisque.
At that time, the Serer had not yet known Islam and remained attached to their ancestral beliefs. Toucouleurs The few Muslims who dared venture into the area were robbed and then killed us Baïta Dione. He claims that Sheikh Oumar Tall Foutiyou gave a brief stint in the corner. Faced with the threats of the pagans, they would have asked him to leave at least his prayer. Needing water, he dug with his hand slightly to splashing water from the earth and its ablutions. After observing complete its religious duties, the native inhabitants dispersed fear. But it is refuted by some who say that Sheikh did not set foot in the resort.
A MISSIONARY VENU D'ALSACE
The first successful contact with Islam would occur with a marabout came Saloum named Tafsir Khaly Sarr. The proselyte was able to convert the king Mbagnick Diouf, before marrying her daughter who gave him six children, two scholars. The graft was taken. Successfully attracted to the new faith Alassane Gueskel, the head of Popenguine and ancestor of Bishop Hyacinthe Cardinal Thiandoum, the marabout was to mark a milestone as the notable led with him a lot of people fit and build the first mosque in the village .
Christianity was introduced into the area in 1887, more exactly in the village of Guérew, we learn the father Jean Marie. At that time, Father Strub traveling from Alsace villages to spread the Gospel. The missionary was not well received at first. In building a case that health is fit and able to accept baptism, with Monsignor Picard, several Serer. But, in the opinion of Bait Dione, the "thiédos" (animist) Serer embraced Christianity to have been amazed by European goods of little value to them unknown. A certain Fara Ndiaye who introduced the religion of Christ, he adds. The relief food distributed by the men of the church in times of famine or welding, have also addressed the heart of some, he says. Smooth contact with the two religions did not disturb the social agreement that existed within this community. Paganism gave way to messages of Mohammed (PBUH) and Jesus Christ without breaking the cohesion within the family.
One family, two religions
Great was the surprise of Diavoli Coulibaly heard a lady from Popenguine invoke Allah and the Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) for the success of the stay of the Caravan multimedia in the village. "I thought Popenguine was a village made up of Christians", is disillusioned there. When man has explained in a village, it has pointed out that Poponguine, contrary to what many Senegalese believe that is not populated by Christians. Better still, the old man added that the Muslim population is far superior numerically. An assertion that is supported by Ibra Ndoye Fall, the village head ai, which states, without giving figures, that the followers of Mohammed are more than double. The illustration was given by the list of visitors to the Caravan. Names like Mamadou, Alioune, Ibrahima, Fatou, etc.., Submerging inherited the names of the disciples of Christ, saints and blessed of the Church.
Certainly the Christian pilgrimage, the day after Pentecost, and the place of the Marian shrine in the heart of Senegal Catholics to believe that many people in this village, the call to prayer of the muezzin sounds only five times a day. At the heart of the village, stands the minaret of the mosque, visible from afar, a few yards from the church and the Marian shrine. Unlike the volcanic atmosphere prevailing in the plaza adjacent to the mosques of the Wailing Wall in the Holy Land of Palestine here, the wind blows peace and understanding between people of different faiths, the old reassuring Baïta Dione. "Alleluia! "Gene is in no way" Allahu Akbar! ".
When Christianity made its entrance in the village, "recalls the memory of Poponguine, nothing major was changed. "The first missionaries assist people in times of famine or welding. People have responded with tolerance. "Full of wisdom, the old adds," Islam and Christianity have found the people in the cohesion within families and the community. These are the same families, on both sides. Religion can not divide us. "
EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE
Senegal, Mauritania, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau
First session 2009 - 2010
Kolda - 23 to 29 November 2009
PRESS RELEASE
The Episcopal Conference interterritorial of Senegal, Mauritania,
Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau held from 23 to 29 November 2009, the
Center "Les Six Jars" in the Diocese of Kolda, its first regular
session of the pastoral year from 2009 to 2010 .
After a day of recollection, punctuated by meditation and communion
of prayer for Christian communities, notably that of the Diocese of
Kolda, the Bishops Conference conducted the opening ceremony
Tuesday, November 24 at 9 am precise, in the presence of His
Excellency Monsignor Luis Mariano Montemayor, Apostolic Nuncio.
After the welcome made to the place of his brother, His Excellency
Monseigneur Jean Noël Diouf, Bishop of Tambacounda and President of
the Episcopal Conference, has particularly welcomed the Reverend
Arlindo Gomes Furtado, Bishop of Santiago, Cape Verde and Apostolic
Administrator of the Diocese of Mindelo, which participated for the
first meetings of the Conference.
Apostolic Nuncio Monsignor, meanwhile, expressed in his speech, his
renewed joy of seeing his brother bishops, and his deep gratitude
for the communion and cooperation it receives, on their part in
fulfilling its mission.
THE LIFE OF THE DIOCESE
The traditional overview of the various dioceses allowed members of
the Episcopal Conference to share the joys, satisfactions,
challenges and hopes of their diocesan communities. This same view
of pastoral care was also placed on the lives of companies and
countries, where these Christian communities.
FEATURES
Among the issues discussed, it should remember:
The political, economic and social Senegal and in the countries of
the Conference
With the help of an expert, the bishops have addressed the situation
of their countries. They welcome some undeniable progress, progress
made in the areas of democracy and human development. But they
remain concerned about the difficulties and problems that compromise
the well-being, and the effective development of every man and every
man.
Increasing poverty resulting from lack of real political education,
social, agricultural and industrial, the unfulfilled commitments,
corruption, growing insecurity and political instability,
particularly caught their attention. They tried to identify the ills
and the factors that hinder the efforts of reconciliation, justice
and peace, and preventing a true development, in order to improve
living conditions.
Such factors include pain and also in the diagnosis by the recent
Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Africa.
The Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Africa
In communion with the universal Church, six members of the Episcopal
Conference has actively participated in the foundation of the Second
Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops held in Rome
from 04 to 25 October 2009. This Synod, to recall the theme: "The
Church in Africa in Service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace.
You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. "(Mt
5: 13-14).
The African bishops, in the presence of His Holiness Pope Benedict
XVI and representatives of all churches worldwide, have cast a new
light on pastoral societies and the churches of Africa and adjacent
islands. They did not fail to note a number of advances and
progress, both in churches and in societies. But they have
complained a number of problems and ills that afflict even the same
continent. They therefore called on all their wishes, a true surge
of all Africans to support the fate of their churches and their
country.
The Exhortation for Lent 2010
Pastors are used each year, the desire to encourage and support the
Christian communities in their spiritual journey toward holiness
during the highlight of Lent. Conscious of the need and urgency of a
renewed and sincere conversion of hearts, they propose that the
meditation of the faithful, in this Year of the Priesthood, the
theme of Lent the Christian way of faithfulness. Loyalty to Christ,
fidelity to the priesthood.
They call and all Christians to rediscover, in communion with their
priests, the depth of the mystery of their union with Christ, the
Eternal Priest, which are all incorporated by the Sacrament of
Baptism, to which priests are configured by the sacrament of 'Order.
They also urged to faithfulness to the social dimensions of the
vocation and mission of the Christian.
Year Priestly
In communion with the universal Church, the diocesan church of the
Episcopal Conference celebrating the Year of the priesthood, decreed
by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, and under the patronage of Saint
Jean Marie Vianney, Curé of Ars. The bishops and their priests urged
to deepen in meditation and in the testimony, the beauty and value
of the supreme priesthood of Christ which they participate. As lay
faithful, they invite them to participate in an awareness of their
baptismal priesthood and the life, secondly to renew their love and
attention to their priests, bringing them through communion in
prayer and apostolic collaboration.
The Forum on Catechesis
Catechesis remains a core activity in the evangelizing mission of
the Church. However, it requires an update in its teaching and its
methods. Therefore, the bishops approved the organization of a forum
on the Catechism of 22 to 27 February 2010, the Teacher Training
Center (PSC) of Mbour. This forum will, among other things, reflect
on the issue of religious education in public and private schools,
and especially encourage parents, priests, catechists, teachers and
school officials, to promote steadily catechesis, as in Catholic
schools than in public schools and secular private. The results of
this Forum will be widely available for their effective
implementation.
The seminar Propaedeutics
The Seminar propaedeutic Ndiaffatte Saint Paul, Diocese of Kaolack,
will open its doors soon. This work is placed at the beginning of
the formation of the Grand Seminary, is enriching. It aims
specifically to help candidates for the priesthood to further the
discernment of their vocation, lay the foundation for spiritual life
and community, they will develop and deepen throughout the course of
the seminary, school Christ the Good Shepherd. Bishops assign this
new structure to the fervent prayers and support of Christian
communities.
ENCOUNTERS
In addition to examining the records, the bishops have met some of
their aides.
With members of the cores
The meeting with representatives of the Conference of Major
Superiors gave an opportunity for pastors to deepen reflection on
the need for joint management of priestly and religious vocations.
They laid the groundwork for a study on the motivations of the
choice of young people towards a more adequate training.
With the Steering Committee of the UUZ / WAUA
The Academic Unit in Ziguinchor (UUZ) of the Catholic University of
the West Africa (WAUA) proceeded to start his lessons from the
academic year 2006-2007, the Higher Institute of Management located
at Ziguinchor and Dakar (Complex St. Michel). The Steering
Committee, which continues its investigation, submitted to the
Bishops the progress of the project. The Bishops thanked its members
and encourage them to pursue joint research of material and
financial resources necessary for the final settlement of this
Oneness University at Coubalan (Ziguinchor).
With the Christian community Kolda
A closing Mass of the session will be celebrated Sunday, November
29, the first Sunday of Advent at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame des
Victoires Kolda. This is without doubt a great moment of communion
with the faithful of the Cathedral parish and all those in the
diocese.
In concluding their deliberations, the bishops expressed their
gratitude
- To His Excellency Monsignor Jean Pierre BASSENS, Bishop of Kolda,
for his warm and fraternal welcome;
- The Governor of the Region, Mr. Mubarak Seck, the representative
of the Mayor and City Council members Regional Development, which
turned out to greet them and show their sympathy;
- A Father Francis Diandy, preacher of the day of recollection;
- A pastoral team of the Cathedral and all members of the Host
Committee;
-For managers and all staff of the Center "Les Six Jars" and the
entire Christian community Kolda;
In the Muslim community, which today celebrates the Tabaski (Eid al
Adha), the Bishops want a good party and renew their communion of
prayer for a world of brotherhood, justice and peace to build
together by all believers .
Prayer and meditation have all day punctuated the foundation of
Bishops. They told the Lord, through the intercession of Mary, Our
Lady of Temento their respective countries and Christian communities
in which they are responsible. They implore God's blessings on the
Diocese of Kolda and all its peoples, and the goodness of God for
reconciliation, justice and peace in the actual sub-region.
Manufactured Center "Les Six Jars, Saturday, November 28, 2009
The Bishops Conference