Frequently Asked Questions

1.    What is the Diocese of Gambia

The Diocese of Gambia is a part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Anglican Communion aims to ensure Episcopal oversight and authority of the Anglican Church in all parts of the world, THE DIOCESE OF GAMBIA comprises the Republics of The Gambia, Senegal and Cape Verde Islands. The area of jurisdiction is 211,431 square kilometers: Senegal 196,722 sq. Km; The Gambia 10,686 sq man Cape Verde Islands 4,023 sq km: with corresponding total populations of 7,000,000, 1,025,867 and 350,000 respectively. These figures were obtained from the latest Population and Housing Census report in the case of The Gambia, and the Conditions of Living reports prepared by the UNDP offices in Cape Verde and Senegal. The Gambia is English speaking; Senegal is French speaking; Cape Verde is Portuguese speaking.

 2.     What is the Faith of the People in the Diocese of Gambia 

In The Gambia the Muslim faith accounts for 90 per cent of the population, with 9.5 percent shared among Christian denominations, and the remaining 0.5 per cent African religions. Although the Christian faith is numerically weak, it succeeds in maintaining witness for Christ. There also exists a tremendous sense of religious co-existence, which we believe to be exemplary in the region, and a harmony which could be translated and shared with outsiders to The Gambia. In Senegal the situation is virtually the same, more than 95 per cent practicing the Muslim Faith, and the remaining 5 per cent Christian an African religions found mainly in the Cassamance area of Southern Senegal. In Cape Verde the situation is almost the reverse, with more than 90 per cent Roman Catholics, and the remaining 10 per cent comprising the other faiths.

 3.    What is the role of the Bishop of Gambia?

THE BISHOP OF GAMBIA is responsible for Episcopal oversight in the Diocese of Gambia.

His role is pastoral, ecclesiastical and administrative.

He is primarily the pastor of the pastors of the Anglican Church in the Diocese. He is a focus of unity. He strives to enable the members to be involved in holistic development of the Diocese of Gambia. He serves as the link with the world Church and nurtures multi-level dialogue - interChristian and with Muslims.

The Bishop also undertakes weighty civic duties.