by Justin Mendy, Senegal, 23 February 1997
THEME = CHURCH
On 2 February 1996, Cardinal Thiandoum, Archbishop of Dakar, resigned. Who will succeed him?
The French-speaking Bishops of West Africa (CEREAO) held their Conference from 4-9 February 1997. The absence of Cardinal Hyacinthe Thiandoum, Archbishop of Dakar, from the proceedings, was a reminder to the Catholic community of West Africa, especially of Senegal, that Dakar is still without an Archbishop. (The Conference had taken place in the Archdiocese of Dakar). In 1996, Cardinal Thiandoum had reached the retirement age of 75, and so on 2 February 1996, had tended his resignation to the Pope. The Pope asked Cardinal Thiandoum to remain at his post until a successor was appointed, but the prelate has health problems which could be serious. On 9 June 1996, the oldest church in Dakar (The church of the Sacred Heart) celebrated its 150th anniversary. During the ceremonies held in the gardens of the City Hall, those present (and there were many), saw that the Cardinal had some kind of attack, falling back into his armchair. He was obliged to leave the ceremony. The same thing has twice happened to the Cardinal during religious services in Dakar Cathedral.
During the Bishops' Conference, the Vicar General presented the Cardinal's apologies for his absence. He was still convalescing in Italy after an operation on his knee. This announcement gave rise to a number of comments such as: "Couldn't the operation have waited" or, "is it really that urgent?" In fact, the Cardinal had been in a great deal of distress ever since a fall last December. He also had been showing signs of tiredness and fatigue. (It seems that the Cardinal has Chagas's Disease, [this is an illness related to sleeping sickness caused by a parasite. The sickness is spread by the tsetse fly, which also attacks vertebrates]).
His pastoral mission within Dakar was no sinecure. Dakar is a city where all Senegal's VIP's are to be found - the political and administrative authorities; captains of industry; the diplomatic corps.
There's a great deal of social unrest within the country. From the religious point of view: 90% of the people are Muslims; 7% Christian. Also, there's still a strong influence of local customs and traditions.
Senegal's Catholic community, (especially within the city of Dakar), frequently finds itself in a delicate situation. It is here that Cardinal Thiandoum has come into his own, managing to calm down what could well have become an awkward situation.
Hyacinthe Thiandoum is both a Cardinal, and an Archbishop in the capital, and as such is often considered by the different political powers and indeed by most people as THE head of the Church in Senegal. He is frequently called upon to speak in the name of the whole Church in Senegal. This has caused a certain amount of frustration among his own colleagues. Within the Catholic community, some religious and faithful have been disappointed at decisions taken by the prelate which made them feel insignificant. These are impatiently awaiting changes within the Church in Senegal, once a new Archbishop is appointed.
Possible names as Archbishop of Dakar? Bishop Pierre Sagna (A Holy Ghost Father) of Saint Louis (in the north); and especially Bishop Theodore-Adrien Sarr of Kaolack (in the midlands) - For a long time he's been president of the Bishops' Conference of Senegal, Mauritania, Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau, and was re- elected president last December.
Necessary qualities for the new Archbishop must include an openmindedness to current Senegalese society. He will have to deal with the government under President Abdou Diouf. He will have to liaise with the various Trade Unions and other social structures, as well as the various cultural and diplomatic bodies. He must know how to dialogue with people of other religions, especially with the Muslim leaders. All these requires particular qualities of a well-balanced and at the same time, firm personality.
During his visit to Senegal in February 1992, Pope John Paul II noted that: "The faithful of Senegal, more than other Africans, are called to exercise a spirit of dialogue and understanding". Of course, the Pope is referring here to dialogue between Muslims and Christians. This will have a heavy bearing on the choice of a new archbishop to replace Cardinal Thiandoum.
At the moment, the Church in Senegal is going through what can best be described as a "period of transition" which means that certain decisions and tasks are "on hold" for the moment. With the failing health of the prelate, its all becoming quite a worry.
END