AFRICA - Africa rejoices for two new African Cardinals: the Archbishops of Dakar and Nairobi

Monday, 22 October 2007

Rome (Agenzia Fides)- “I received the news of my appointment as Cardinal, as a call, a duty, to serve the Lord more and better” said Archbishop Théodore Adrien Sarr of Dakar in Senegal and President of the Bishops' Conference of Senegal, Mauritania, Gambia, Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde, commenting his elevation to the rank of Cardinal decided by Pope Benedict XVI. The other new African Cardinal in Archbishop John Njue of Nairobi, in Kenya. The Cardinals will be created on 24 November in Rome.
The appointment of the new Cardinals was received with great joy in Senegal and Kenya, by Catholics and the whole population. Cardinal elect Sarr reaffirmed in his intention to promote Christian/Muslim dialogue: “I wish this supplement of moral authority, the dignity of Cardinal may help me promote Christian/Muslim dialogue in Senegal and abroad”. In Senegal the population is 90% Muslim but the Catholic community is lively and well integrated and relations with the Muslim majority are excellent. One of the principal Muslims leaders Khalifa Thierno Habibou Mountaga Tall, told the Archbishop he was sure he would be appointed Cardinal before the end of the year.
In Kenya the local media, press, radio and television gave ample space to the elevation as Cardinal of Archbishop Njue. The most read national paper, the Daily Nation, wrote “The fact that Pope Benedict XVI has decided to make the Archbishop of Nairobi a Cardinal is an honour not only for the Catholic Church but for the whole country”.
The president of Kenya Mwai Kibaki, who is a Catholic, sent of message of congratulations to Archbishop Njue: “I and my wife Lucy offer our full support and our prayers, may the Lord bless you at this moment as you shoulder the most important task to offer spiritual guidance to the Catholic faithful”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 22/10/2007 righe 25 parole 342)


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