Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dakar (Fides Service) - Crowds gathered in Dakar Cathedral this morning 27 May to pay their last respects to Cardinal Hyacinthe Thiandoum, emeritus Archbishop of Dakar who died at the age of 83 on May 18 in Marseilles, France.
Pope John Paul II sent Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, Decano emeritus dean of the College of Cardinals as his Envoy to preside the funeral at Our Lady of Victory Cathedral in the capital.
In a message of condolence to the local Church, Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, said: “Cardinal Thiandoum is now with his brother Cardinals and companions of the early hour of the Church in Africa: Rugambwa of Tanzania, Biyayenda of Congo, Malula of Democratic Congo, Zoungrana of Burkina Faso, Yago of Ivory Coast, Otunga of Kenya. Each of these bold witnesses to Christ whom the Pope mentions in his latest book “Arise, let’s go!” are a motive of faith, hope and communion for the Church all over Africa. Not only did they make an important contribution to the Second Vatican Council with specific African sensitivity, they also worked tirelessly to build the Church-Family-of-God on a continent which they loved and protected, through ecclesial structures such as the Symposium of Bishops’ Conferences of Africa and Madagascar and the Regional Conference of Bishops of West Africa”.
Cardinal Thiandoum was one of 30 from Africa who attended Vatican II marking a fundamental milestone in the history of the Church and the continent.
“As Archbishop Dakar - the message from the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples continues “he worked tirelessly to build Christian communities strong in their faith in Jesus Christ but committed to fraternal testimony and dialogue with their Muslim brothers. Because of his will to collaborate and deep desire for the development of the country some referred to him as the Cardinal of the Muslims. He was always convinced that love for others was the source of happiness and life. In love with God and mankind, he strove to build peace, harmony and unity in his country”.
“With his death, the sun goes down on Dakar and Africa. But the passing of the Elders announces a new day for the Church-Family-of-God. Today in Senegal, another Baobab has fallen. But the Lord’s vineyard has not become a desert, it is always made fertile by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, worked and fecundated by the constant presence of the Holy Spirit and harvested by the missionary work of the sons and daughters of the Church” the message concludes.
The local press gave ample space to the late Cardinal Thiandoum, describing the Catholic churchman as a pillar of Christian-Muslim dialogue in Senegal, a country with a population 90% Muslim but with a dynamic Christianity community greatly appreciated by all. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 27/572004, righe 42 parole 515)
