RELIGION IN SENEGAL: THE CATHOLICS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 DAKAR 001435

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL/AE AND INR/AA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/17/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINS SOCI PINR KDEM KISL KIRF SCUL VT SG
SUBJECT: RELIGION IN SENEGAL: THE CATHOLICS

REF: A. DAKAR 1378

B. DAKAR 1286

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Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION JAY T. SMITH FOR R
EASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: This is the third in a series of cables
analyzing religion in Senegal. This cable concerns Catholics
in Senegal. With a long established history, the Catholics
are Senegal,s largest religious minority and continue to
wield far greater influence in the country,s political,
economic, educational, and religious affairs than their
numbers would suggest. In discussions with a broad spectrum
of members from the community, the general consensus is that
they remain strong, well organized, and optimistic about
their future in the country. End Summary.

Background
--------------


2. (U) According to source materials, Catholicism has been
around in the region that is now Senegal since the 15th
century going through various stages of growth and decline
depending on who was ruling the territory. According to a
2001 census, there were 331,175 registered Catholics in
Senegal divided across seven dioceses, of which Dakar is by
far the most populous. The Dakar Diocese, which was founded
in its current state in 1955, is headed by Cardinal Theodore
Adrien Sarr who was given his red hat in November 2007 by
Pope Benedict XVI. The newest diocese is the Diocese of
Kolda in the Casamance region in southern Senegal. Founded
in 2000, this area has the second highest concentration of
Catholics outside of Dakar. While Dakar is the oldest modern
diocese, the Diocese of St. Louis dates back, in one form or
another, to 1779 when St. Louis was once and for all retaken
by the French. The Church has an extensive and very
informative website at www.senkto.org.

We,re Doing Fine
--------------


3. (C) In all the conversations that PolOff had with Church
leaders and prominent Catholics, there was general agreement
that they remain secure, well-employed, influential, and free
from discrimination. The only significant complaint was that
President Abdoulaye Wade, unlike his predecessors, is much
less sensitive to the needs of the community and that he has
to be prompted to remember not only Catholics but also other
minorities when making cabinet or other senior appointments,
for example.


4. (C) "I am comfortable in this country, and have no
problems interacting with anybody," said Honore-Georges
Ndiaye, the respected Catholic director of MALAO (an NGO that
is fighting to eradicate small arms and weapons). He went on
to say, "Catholics are not discriminated against. In fact,
many prominent Senegalese, both in government and in
business, attended our schools because their parents knew
that they would get a quality education. We are prominent in
the University of Cheikh Anta Diop where many senior
professors are Catholics. Education is where we shine. The
same applies in the workplace. We are seen as good,
competent, colleagues, although less so as leaders. In the
past, we used to have great leaders, in addition to (former)
President (Leopold) Senghor. However, that is less the case
these days. Under Wade we are not excluded per se but we are
not particularly at the forefront either. He's just
indifferent and seems to lack the vision to respect the
various forces of our nation."


5. (C) Cardinal Sarr echoed much of what Ndiaye had to say
during a discussion with Political Counselor and PolOff.
According to him, "First and foremost, the Constitution is a
secular document and, as a result, the State recognizes all
religions. We have never had problems in practicing our
faith. We manage our schools and our hospitals and the
Church remains respected. We continue to have a say both in
(national) government and locally. In fact, I have worked
with other religious leaders on many occasions on issues that
are important to the people. Also, look at the last
presidential election where Robert Sagna (The mayor of the
southern city of Ziguinchor) did very well. He did not win,
but his campaign was well received by the people." However,
Sarr did acknowledge that Wade had sought to eliminate the
word "laicit" (secularism) from the Constitution in 2001.
Moreover, the Cardinal went on to say that the activities of
some Evangelical denominations worried him because, in their
fervor to proselytize and convert as many people as quickly
as possible, they could upset the fine balance that exists

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between Christians and Muslims. "Sometimes they go too far,"
he said.

Wade Too Partisan?
--------------


6. (C) The view that President Wade favors the Mourides (the
Muslim brotherhood to which he belongs) and that he is not
neutral, unlike his predecessors, was shared by many of our
interlocutors. Cardinal Sarr agreed with this sentiment but
qualified his statement by saying, "Sure, Wade is a little
more partisan and he is not as politically neutral as (former
Presidents) Senghor or (Abdou) Diouf. But he has helped us a
lot in the past and his children went to Catholic schools."


7. (C) Helene Tine, the spokesperson for former Prime
Minister Moustafa Niasse's party, said former President
Senghor managed to remain equidistant between the two most
prominent Muslim brotherhoods even though he was great
friends with the second Caliph of the Mourides, Sergine
Fallilou Mbacke (the father of the current Caliph-General).
Moreover, according to her, despite being a Catholic, Senghor
never appeared to favor the Catholic community.
"Historically, we have not had any problems, but under this
regime we are somewhat weaker than before. The problem is
that Wade has always presented himself as a Mouride and this
has led to an erosion of the relationship that exists between
the various brotherhoods. So, actually, we are not the only
ones who are affected by his position," she said.

The Rise of Radical Islam
--------------


8. (C) When asked about the rise of radical Islam in Senegal,
the Cardinal said, "These groups are not in confrontation
with Christians. Yes, the number of women who are covering
up has increased, but so far we have had no problems. That
being said, if they gain influence, their attitude may
change, so it is difficult to say what Senegal will look like
five years from now." Papal Nuncio Archbishop Luis Mariano
Montemayor expressed a similar view, opining that worldwide
Islam is going through a revival. According to Montemayor,
"Senegal is not immune from this revival due to the overtures
that Gulf countries, primarily Saudi Arabia, have made in the
region. We have also noted a new rigidity among the Mourides
and, unlike in the past, there is less interaction between
Muslims and Christians, especially on the social level. I
think that is in part due to the influence of fundamentalist
groups (Note: The Papal Nuncio underlined that by
fundamentalist he did not mean terrorist, but groups that
adhered to a strict interpretation of the Koran. End Note)."


9. (C) The Nuncio also worries that the traditionally tight
bond between a marabout (Muslim religious guide) and a talibe
(Muslim student or disciple),which often translates into
blind obedience, combined with a more aggressive form of
Islam might create problems. However, he did acknowledge
that at the moment the fringe groups remain just that, but
warned that that their influence was growing. Montemayor
confided that his mentor, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, who
heads the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue,
was particularly worried about the growing influence of
fundamentalist Islam in West Africa.

Another Catholic President?
--------------


10. (C) When asked if Senegal is ever likely to have another
Catholic president, Sarr responded, "It,s possible, but not
in the current context as I do not really see a personality
that people could follow." Ndiaye agreed that, in theory, a
Catholic could eventually become president again. However,
in practice, he argued, "There are too many societal forces
at play. Politics here is done in families, be they
religious or ethnic. Also, money plays a really important
role and there are just not that many rich Catholics to
bankroll such a run. In the end, I don,t see a Catholic
beating, say, a Mouride candidate in a run-off. Another
problem is that not many Catholics are interested in gaining
political power."

Comment
--------------


11. (C) While there may be some small areas of concern, the
Catholics of Senegal remain a respected community that are
very much in control of their own destiny. When the-then
Archbishop Sarr was elevated to Cardinal, he was greeted by
tens of thousands of well-wishers upon his return to Senegal

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from the Vatican. The country remains religiously tolerant
and Catholics play an important part in its development,
especially in education. Meanwhile, there does seem to be
some worry among Catholic leaders about the growing influence
of fundamentalist or orthodox Islam. However, it seems clear
they remain optimistic about their community's future in the
country. Nevertheless, it is also clear that President Wade
is willing to flirt with the idea of crossing the proverbial
Rubicon with regard to mixing politics and religion. While
the country remains tolerant, it is no longer taboo to rely
on the backing of the caliphs or to involve them in political
matters. Former Prime Minister and recently deposed
President of the National Assembly Macky Sall and
presidential son Karim Wade are both likely to lean heavily
on their religious affiliations as Mourides in any future
presidential run. As a result of this politicization of
religion, it is difficult to see a Catholic ever being
president again. End Comment.
BERNICAT