The Inter-territorial Catholic Bishops’ Conference of The Gambia and Sierra Leone (ITCABIC) along with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Liberia (CABICOL) had their ad limina visit from 26th to 30th April 2010.  Below are the messages of the President of Conference, Most Rev. Patrick D. Koroma followed by the Response of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

                                                                                                                           April 29th, 2010

Your Holiness,

We the Bishops of the Inter-territorial Catholic Bishops’ Conference of The Gambia and Sierra Leone, along with our brothers from Liberia, greet you respectfully and thank you for receiving us.

We wish to take this opportunity of our ad limina visit to thank you for your strong leadership on your fifth anniversary as Supreme Pontiff and also to congratulate you on your eighty-third birthday. On behalf of the clergy, religious and laity, we would like to express our solidarity with you and to assure you of our support and prayers for God’s Blessings on you and on your leadership of the Church, especially in these difficult times.

1.0 The General Situation in Our Territory

We are grateful to God that our countries now enjoy relative security, stability and peace. As a result the Church’s work of evangelization continues with remarkable success. We still have a

reasonable number of converts to Christianity and adult baptisms. Our relationships with Muslims and the other Christian denominations are cordial.

2.0 Church Events

2.1 AECAWA Meeting in Banjul

Our Conference hosted the last meeting of AECAWA, in Banjul from 4th to 8th August 2009 before its final merger with CERAO. The main theme of the Conference was “Youth Migration in West Africa”. It was very informative and rich in pastoral suggestions for ministry to the youths.

2.2 Synod of Bishops for Africa

The second Special Assembly of Bishops for Africa was held at the Vatican in October 2009 and our Conference was privileged to have a very high representation. The final message was not only inspiring but also encouraging for our tasking of reconciliation and peace-building in our local churches.

2.3 Year for the Priest

In each of our dioceses the year for the priest is being celebrated with great enthusiasm, following the call of the Holy Father. Different forms of activities are taking place, such as priests’ retreats, publications, radio messages, liturgical celebrations and prayer meetings focusing on the identity and ministry of the priest. In Sierra Leone, for example, a national pilgrimage to mark the conclusion of the Year for The Priest has been scheduled to take place in Makeni on 28th May, 2010.

2.4 Proposed Diocese of Bo

The conference is looking forward to the creation of the new Diocese of Bo. The erection of a new diocese is a clear sign of growth of our church and an instrument of greater pastoral effectiveness.

3.0 Pastoral Issues

3.1 Priestly and Religious Vocations

Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious life are coming at a slow pace. The promotion of priestly and religious vocations remains an urgent priority throughout the Conference.

3.2 Seminaries

The number of quality formators, which is a priority concern in our conference, is serious constraint for us.

3.3 Marriage Tribunal

Lack of trained personnel has prevented us from re-establishing a tribunal to deal with difficult cases, but we are finding ways to respond to this urgent pastoral necessity.

3.4 The laity

Our lay people are actively involved in most aspects of our churches life. Catechist, prayer leaders and other lay pastoral agents have become the back bone of our communities in the remote areas. We welcome the strong recommendation in the recent African synod for the training of leaders in the political arena.

3.5 Catholic Schools

We continue to run catholic schools with difficulties.

3.6 Self Reliance

There is a growing awareness of need for self reliance in our territory in spite of the hardship caused by the rising cost of living and the widespread unemployment.

4.0 Conclusion

We sincerely express our gratitude for the opportunity of this ad limina visit and are always grateful to you for the exaltations and Apostolic Blessings. We would once again express our solidarity with you and assure you of our support and prayers. We thank you for the audience.

Most Rev. Patrick Daniel Koroma

President of the ITCABIC Conference

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ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI TO THE BISHOPS OF THE EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE OF THE GAMBIA, LIBERIA AND SIERRA LEONE ON THEIR "AD LIMINA" VISIT

Thursday, 29 April 2010 

Dear Brother Bishops,

I am pleased to welcome you, the Bishops of Liberia, The Gambia and Sierra Leone on your Ad Limina visit to the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul. I am grateful for the sentiments of communion and affection expressed by Bishop Koroma on your behalf, and I ask you to convey my warm greetings and encouragement to your beloved people as they strive to lead a life worthy of their calling (cf. Eph 4:1).

The Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops was a rich experience of communion and a providential occasion for renewing your own episcopal ministry and reflecting on its essential task, namely, “to help the People of God to give to the word of revelation the obedience of faith and to embrace fully the teachings of Christ” (Pastores Gregis, 31). I am pleased to see from your Quinquennial Reports that, while dedicated to the administration of your Dioceses, you personally strive to preach the Gospel at confirmations, in your visits to parishes, when meeting with groups of priests, religious or lay people and in your pastoral letters. Through your teaching the Lord preserves your people from evil, ignorance and superstition, and transforms them into children of his Kingdom. Strive to build vibrant and expansive communities of men and women strong in their faith, contemplative and joyful in the liturgy, and well instructed on “how to live in the way that pleases God” (1 Th 4:1). In an environment marked by divorce and polygamy, promote the unity and well-being of the Christian family built on the sacrament of marriage. Initiatives and associations dedicated to the sanctification of this basic community deserve your full support. Continue to uphold the dignity of women in the context of human rights and defend your people against attempts to introduce an anti-birth mentality disguised as a form of cultural progress (cf. Caritas in Veritate, 28). Your mission also requires that you give attention to the adequate discernment and preparation of vocations and to the ongoing formation of priests, who are your closest collaborators in the task of evangelization. Continue to lead them by word and example to be men of prayer, sound and clear in their teaching, mature and respectful in their dealings with others, faithful to their spiritual commitments and strong in compassion towards all in need. Likewise do not hesitate to invite missionaries from other countries to assist the good work being done by your clergy, religious and catechists.

In your countries the Church is held in high regard for her contribution to the good of society especially in education, development and health care, offered to all without distinction. This tribute speaks well of the vitality of your Christian charity, that divine legacy given to the Universal Church by her founder (cf. Caritas in Veritate, 27). I appreciate in a special way the assistance you offer to refugees and immigrants and I urge you to seek, when possible, pastoral cooperation from their countries of origin. The struggle against poverty must be carried out with respect for the dignity of all concerned by encouraging them to be the protagonists of their own integral development. Much good can be done through small-scale community engagements and microeconomic initiatives at the service of families. In developing and sustaining such strategies, improved education will always be a decisive factor. Hence I encourage you to continue providing school programmes that prepare and motivate new generations to become responsible citizens, socially active for the good of their community and their country. You rightly encourage people in positions of authority to lead in the struggle against corruption by calling attention to the gravity and injustice of such sins. In this regard, the spiritual and moral formation of lay men and women for leadership, through specialized courses in Catholic Social Doctrine, is an important contribution to the common good.

I commend you for your attention to the great gift which is peace. I pray that the process of reconciliation in justice and truth, which you have rightly supported in the region, may produce lasting respect for all God-given human rights and defuse tendencies to retaliation and vengeance. In your service to peace continue to promote dialogue with other religions, especially with Islam, so as to sustain the existing good relations and forestall any form of intolerance, injustice or oppression, detrimental to the promotion of mutual trust. Working together in the defence of life and in the struggle against disease and malnutrition will not fail to build understanding, respect and acceptance. Above all, a climate of dialogue and communion must characterize the local Church. By your own example, lead your priests, religious and lay faithful to grow in understanding and cooperation, in listening to one another and in sharing initiatives. The Church as the sign and instrument of the one Family of God must bear clear witness to the love of Jesus our Lord and Saviour that extends beyond ethnic frontiers and embraces all men and women.

Dear Brother Bishops, I know that you find inspiration and encouragement in the words of the Risen Christ to his Apostles: “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you” (Jn 20:21). On your return home to continue your mission as successors of the Apostles, please convey my affectionate and prayerful good wishes to your priests, religious, catechists and all your beloved people. To each of you, and to those entrusted to your pastoral care, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing