Newly Consecrated Catholic Bishop in Senegal Urged to Embrace Missionary Zeal in Episcopal Ministry

Archbishop Ndiaye described the Episcopal Ordination of Mons. Ndiaye as a “new stage of testimony” for the local Church, praying for a fruitful ministry for the Bishop-elect.

He acknowledged the weight of the Episcopal office and the spiritual challenge it brings, saying, “The call to the Episcopate is enough to give you vertigo… But it is the Lord who calls and instructs… who supports with his multiform grace to help live this mission.”

Archbishop Ndiaye reminded the Bishop-elect that he cannot serve alone, urging him to walk in communion with the Clergy, members of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (ICLSAL), and the Laity.

“Each of you is endowed with multiple and diverse charisms... for the good of the community and for an edifying Christian testimony,” he said.

Referring to the late Pope Francis’ first Apostolic Exhortation in the proclamation of the Gospel in today’s world, Evangelii Gaudium, Archbishop Ndiaye outlined the three essential postures of a shepherd: to walk in front to guide, to remain in the midst to understand the people, and to stay behind to support the weak.

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“This is the mark of the divine Shepherd: who brings back, who heals, who strengthens. May this model guide your steps, Mons. Augustin,” he said.

Archbishop Ndiaye implored, “May the gift of the Holy Spirit be deeply imprinted in your heart, in your spirit, and all your being. May you live as a well-loved, devoted, and exemplary shepherd for the Church in Saint-Louis.”

The late Pope Francis appointed Mons. Ndiaye as the Bishop of Saint-Louis Du Sénégal Diocese on April 2.

The Senegalese Episcopal See had been vacant following the retirement of Bishop Ernest Sambou in January 2023 after attaining the canonical age of 75.

Born in January 1959 in Fadiouth in the Catholic Archdiocese of Dakar, the newly Consecrated Bishop was ordained a Priest in April 1983.

In his first speech as Local Ordinary of Saint-Louis Du Sénégal Diocese, Bishop Ndiaye implored, “The Diocese entrusted to me is like a marriage. And I wear a ring on my finger—an alliance ring, symbol of a covenant for which I have pledged with you fidelity and hope.”

He added, “It is a long love story that continues with my Diocesan family of Saint-Louis, with this ring that I wear. Christian with you, Bishop for you, servant of fraternal love for all.”

“Our thanksgiving to the Lord cannot be complete without an expression of gratitude to the beautiful souls that you all are. All of you whom the Lord has placed on my human and Priestly path, and from today, on my Episcopal journey,” Bishop Ndiaye said.

He said, “I believe in a Church of communion, where ordained Priests and the people of God work together for the good of humanity. Our mission does not stop among ourselves, within the institutional Church.”

Bishop Ndiaye implored, “May the Lord constantly renew my heart and mind so that I become the zealous and faithful pastor he wants. May my life be a living testimony of His presence and his love for all humanity.”

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He is the 13th Bishop of the Senegalese Diocese that measures 73,315 square-kilometer with a population of 7,217 Catholics, according to 2023 statistics, and is part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Dakar.

Saint-Louis Diocese was erected in 1763 as Prefecture Apostolic of Senegal before being elevated to a Diocese in February 1966.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.