Religion – Christianity: Monsignor André Guèye meeting Catholics of the American diaspora

For the first time since his appointment as head of the Archdiocese of Dakar, Monsignor André Guèye is traveling to the United States to meet the Senegalese Catholics who reside there.

Monsignor André Guèye visited the United States on August 28 to meet the Senegalese Catholic diaspora. A first in this country since his appointment, in 2025, by Pope Francis, at the head of the Archdiocese of Dakar, replacing Monsignor Benjamin Ndiaye. Upon his arrival, the Archbishop of Dakar was welcomed by a delegation led by Emmanuel Ndiaye, president of the Association of Senegalese Catholics in America. The consul general of Senegal in New York, Demba Camara, was also present. His visit aims in particular to “encourage and congratulate them in the great initiative of the association, in order to grow together in faith and to experience solidarity, especially in times of trial”, confided Monsignor André Guèye, in reference to the Senegalese Catholic community established in the United States.

Collection and meetings with the community

During his stay, the Archbishop of Dakar went to Washington, where he met members of the Senegalese community and spent several periods of contemplation in places emblematic of the Catholic faith, notably at the Saint John Paul II sanctuary and at the basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. After the Washington stopover, Monsignor André Guèye continued his visit to New York. He notably paid his respects at Saint-Patrick’s Cathedral as well as at Ground Zero, the memorial dedicated to the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

A message of unity and solidarity

This visit was also marked by meetings and moments of prayer with the faithful of the Senegalese Catholic community. Several community activities were organized, including times of discussion with religious authorities, prayers and a Eucharistic celebration. For Monsignor André Guèye, this approach is part of the desire to “build a solid and united Catholic community, which goes beyond all differences and all small groups”.

The Archbishop of Dakar thus launched a message of unity and solidarity to the faithful, inviting them to stay united and strengthen their communion, in a context marked, according to him, by a “fairly polarized society”.

Boubacar DIOP