Cardinal Theodore Adrien Sarr, the Archbishop of Dakar, has commented on the injuries and humiliation suffered by the country’s Christian community, after President Abdoulaye Wade’s statement on the Christian faith, in response to the criticisms raised by the erection in Dakar of the Monument of African Renaissance.
’’We have been hurt and humiliated by the President’s intolerable words, openly demeaning before our children’s educators, the core of our faith’’ he said, referring to the remarks made by President Wade at a meeting with teachers supporting his re-election in 2012.
’’In the church, they pray to Jesus who is not God. Everyone knows it, but nobody ever said a word about it,” Mr. Wade said, in reaction to those condemning the construction of the Monument of African Renaissance in Dakar.
This monument, whose cost is estimated at 14 billion CFA francs, is meant to symbolize African Renaissance. It is considered untimely by some critics, while most Muslim leaders view it as inconsistent with the teachings of Islam.
“We have been offended and humiliated by the indifference shown by the country’s leader towards a community devoted to well-being of all Senegalese citizens,’’ Cardinal Sarr said before hundreds of Christian and Muslim faithful who came to hear his New Year’s address.
According to local media, Cardinal Sarr, in reaction to President Wade’s comments, has decided to inform the Vatican. “Upset and humiliated, we have been by the risks of division that such comments could lead to within the country, which is known for the exemplary of the mutual understanding between Christians and Muslims,’’ he said.
However, he hailed the support offered by the Muslim community ’’who has always shown to us, esteem, support, and solidarity,” he said. ’’I would like to solemnly express our gratitude for their sincere and spontaneous reactions,” he said.
To that respect, he urged Christians to remain calm. ’’Let’s keep calm. Keep calm. Let self-control prevail, so that nobody will laugh at us’’, Cardinal Sarr added.
After the meeting, hundreds of irate worshipers took to the Avenue of the Republic, leading to the Presidential Palace, bearing crosses. They were scattered, when they arrived at the Cathedral located in the center of the city, by the police using tear gas. No injuries were reported.
Source African Press Agency
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