On Monday, 24th February 2025, the Generalate community received a visit from El Hadji Thierno Amadou Bâ (in the picture: front, in blue), the Khalif General of Bambilor and representative of the religious families of Senegal. Accompanying him were four distinguished individuals who had been residing at the Generalate since 21st February, upon the request of Fr. Zacharie Guirane NDIONE, Provincial Superior of PANO and representative of the conference of Major Superiors of Senegal. Fr. Zacharie Guirane NDIONE arrived with them.
The guests included:
- Alphonse Biram NDOUR: Episcopal Delegate, responsible for interreligious dialogue and service in the Archdiocese of Dakar.
- Mouhamadou Bachir Mbengue: Assistant to the Khalif and Executive Director of the NGO Fawzi Wa Nadjati (FWIN).
- El Hadji Thierno Amadou Bâ TALL: Religious guide, representing the Omarienne (Tall) family.
- Demba Thllel Diallo: Senior Lecturer in Linguistics, Research Professor at UCAD, and President of the International Symposium on Religious Diplomacy [Colloque international sur la Diplomatie Religieuse (CIDiR)].
The visitors arrived in Rome as part of the Jubilee 2025, upon the invitation for a private audience with Pope Francis and a meeting with the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. The group comprised fifteen persons representing universities, as well as religious and political leaders.
It is noteworthy to mention that this visit is not the first instance in the history of our Congregation where the General Administration has received an eminent Muslim leader. One hundred and fifty years ago, on a Monday, the Sultan of Zanzibar, Saïd-Bargach, who had demonstrated a close relationship with the Spiritan Missionaries of Zanzibar, visited the Mother House on 19th July 1875.[1] Thus, the Khalif General remarked: “He visited the Mother House, Paris; I visited the Generalate, Rome.”
After a cordial welcome and introductory remarks by Fr. Alain Mayama, the Superior General, followed by brief statements from the visitors, the Khalif General spoke very commendably about Spiritans and acknowledged the Spiritans’ strong commitment to evangelisation, education, social justice, interreligious dialogue and peace building.
Addressing the Generalate community, El Hadji Thierno Amadou Bâ, the Khalif General of Bambilor in Senegal expressed his profound gratitude and sincere respect as he addressed the community, acknowledging their fraternal welcome that exemplified the missionary spirit of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. He began by stating, “It is with profound gratitude and sincere respect that I take the floor today, in this space of faith and commitment.”
He emphasized the pivotal role the Spiritans have played in the realms of evangelisation, education, and social justice, saying, “The Spiritans have always been the strength and the driving force behind the great works of evangelisation, education, and social justice.” Their invaluable contributions in Senegal, through the establishment of churches and schools, mentorship of generations, and creation of a unique model of interreligious coexistence, were particularly highlighted. El Hadji Thierno Amadou Bâ remarked, “In Senegal, their contribution is invaluable. They have built churches and schools, mentored generations, and consolidated a unique model of interreligious coexistence, where Muslims and Christians not only share a territory, but a common vision of living together.”
El Hadji Thierno Amadou Bâ paid tribute to exemplary persons who have significantly influenced the Spiritans’ mission, specifically mentioning Fr. Zacharie, Provincial of PANO. He commended Fr. Zacharie’s unwavering commitment and wisdom, which have been instrumental in fostering interreligious dialogue in Senegal, stating, “Among them, Fr. Zacharie, Provincial of PANO, whose constant commitment at our side and wisdom have been pillars of interreligious dialogue in Senegal.” El Hadji Thierno Amadou Bâ underscored how the commendable efforts of the Spiritans globally continue to inspire and demonstrate the Church’s crucial role in promoting peace and fraternity, saying, “Thus, the work of brave Spiritans throughout the world continues to inspire and show that the Church can be a principal actor in the consolidation of peace and fraternity.”
Furthermore, El Hadji Thierno Amadou Bâ expressed heartfelt gratitude to Fr. Alphonse Ndour for his remarkable work in Gorée. He highlighted how Fr. Ndour’s dedication serves as a reminder of the importance of building a future where all individuals are respected and honoured, irrespective of their origins. Bâ said, “His example is a source of inspiration for all those who believe in a reconciled world based on forgiveness and fraternal love.”
El Hadji Thierno Amadou Bâ then described the meeting as more than a mere exchange; it symbolized a shared commitment to strengthening education, promoting peace, and establishing enduring interreligious dialogue. He called for enhanced collaboration between the Congregation of the Holy Spirit and other religious and academic organizations, emphasizing, “This meeting is not just a moment of exchange. It is a sign of a shared commitment to synergise our strengths to strengthen education, promote peace, and structure a solid and lasting interreligious dialogue.” He emphasized the crucial role of Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (UCAD) in this collaborative effort, noting, “The Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (UCAD), as a leading institution, has an essential role to play in this dynamic.” Bâ noted that UCAD could provide academic structure to interreligious dialogue through its research, training, and knowledge transmission, stating, “Through research, training, and the transmission of knowledge, UCAD can bring an academic structure to interreligious dialogue, working alongside the Spiritans to capitalise on their missionary experience and translate it into concrete lessons for future generations.”
With UCAD’s expertise in social, theological, and political sciences, El Hadji Thierno Amadou Bâ envisioned it as a forum for reflection and action, supporting interfaith mediation initiatives, and contributing to training programs dedicated to peace and religious coexistence. He urged the establishment of concrete partnerships, such as conferences, collaborative research, and training programs focused on religious diplomacy. El Hadji Thierno Amadou Bâ said, “We must consider concrete partnerships, whether in the form of conferences, collaborative research, or training dedicated to religious diplomacy.”
In conclusion, El Hadji Thierno Amadou Bâ expressed his aspiration for a stronger and more enduring collaboration. He emphasized that significant achievements are never accomplished in isolation and highlighted the importance of committed individuals and institutions in the spiritual mission. He extended his blessings for continued exemplary work in Senegal and beyond, departing with hearts filled with hope, confident that the brotherhood uniting them today would yield great results tomorrow. El Hadji Thierno Amadou Bâ concluded with a heartfelt, “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
[1] In 1875, Fr. Anthony Horner returned from Kilimanjaro to take part in the General Chapter in France. From Paris, in a letter dated 21 July 1875 sent to the Lyon-based magazine of the Propagation of the Faith, Les Missions Catholiques, he sent for publication the account of the visit of the Sultan of Zanzibar Said-Bargach to Rue Lhomond on Monday, 19 July 1875.
