Roman Catholicism in The Gambia
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Church in the Gambia is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope
and curia in Rome
. Of the minority Christian population, there are around 30,000 Catholics, which represents around 2% of the population.
Gambia is a predominantly Muslim
country (approximately 95% of the population). The Diocese of Banjul covers the whole of the country. Relations between the Muslim and Christian communities in Gambia is generally very good. The Catholic Church operates various missions including schools which Muslim children attend. In 1992, Pope John Paul II
visited Gambia and gave further impetus to the interest in Christian-Muslim relations within the Catholic community. The Pope stressed the importance of the good relations existing between the two. He stated “we are all pilgrims on the path of seeking to do God’s will in everything. Although we differ in many ways, there are important elements of our respective faiths which can serve as a basis for fruitful dialogue and a strengthening of the spirit of tolerance and mutual help”. He met with leaders of the Muslim community, and Muslims were present at the Mass he celebrated at the Independence Stadium whilst in The Gambia.
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
and curia in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. Of the minority Christian population, there are around 30,000 Catholics, which represents around 2% of the population.
Gambia is a predominantly Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
country (approximately 95% of the population). The Diocese of Banjul covers the whole of the country. Relations between the Muslim and Christian communities in Gambia is generally very good. The Catholic Church operates various missions including schools which Muslim children attend. In 1992, Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
visited Gambia and gave further impetus to the interest in Christian-Muslim relations within the Catholic community. The Pope stressed the importance of the good relations existing between the two. He stated “we are all pilgrims on the path of seeking to do God’s will in everything. Although we differ in many ways, there are important elements of our respective faiths which can serve as a basis for fruitful dialogue and a strengthening of the spirit of tolerance and mutual help”. He met with leaders of the Muslim community, and Muslims were present at the Mass he celebrated at the Independence Stadium whilst in The Gambia.