Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has, (22 February 2003) accepted the resignation of the pastoral government of the archdiocese of Saint Louis du Senegal (Senegal), presented by Bishop Pierre Sagna CSSp,, in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, canon 401,2. The Holy Father has appointed (22 February 2003) Bishop of Saint-Louis du Senegal Reverend Father Ernest Sambou, Rector of the Catholic Institute of West Africa (ICAO) in Abidjan.
The Bishop elect was born on 22 December 1947 in Cadjinol, department of Oussouye of Casamance, diocese of Ziguinchor. He studied in Senegal and in France at the Catholic Institute of Toulouse, obtaining a doctorate in theology. He was ordained a priest on 29 December 1975 and has since been: formator at Ziguinchor minor seminary; in charge of Christian-Muslim relations' diocesan director of Catholic education; professor of theology and philosophy. At present he is Rector of the Catholic Institute of West Africa (ICAO) in Abidjan. Saint-Louis du Senegal (1966) is a suffragan of the archdiocese of Dakar, the only ecclesiastical province in Senegal. It has an area of 73,315 sq. km, a population of 1,500,000 (Wolof and Toucouleurs) mostly Muslims. There are 4,000 Catholics, looked after by 18 priests, 5 brothers and 18 women Religious. (Fides Service 27/2/2003. 17 LINES; 220 WORDS)