Pope receives Ambassador Harding’s credence

Pope Benedict XVI last Thursday received the letters of credence of Elizabeth Ya Eli Harding, The Gambia's High Commissioner to UK, who is also the new extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Holy See (Vatican), Italy.

Diplomatic relations between The Gambia and the Holy See were formally established in 1978 to promote many important values favourable to the genuine growth of human society.

Welcoming Ambassador Elizabeth Ya Eli Harding to the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI expressed gratitude for what he described as the courteous greetings and sentiments of goodwill expressed on behalf of President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh.

“As I willingly reciprocate, I ask you kindly, to convey my gratitude and good wishes to His Excellency, to the civil authorities and to the Gambian people.

Close and cordial relations can be of great advantage to both parties, especially in areas related to the defence of the life, the dignity and freedom of every human person and the promotion of the health, social development and education of less favoured groups of the population. Christian love is the force that motivates the Church in your country as it offers its service to the Gambian people through the promotion of important values such as justice, solidarity and peace,” he said.

The Pope observed that the Catholic Church in Africa is committed directly to spread the message of Jesus and consequently to give witness to the love of Almighty God through the practice of charity, like the good Samaritan of the Gospel story.

“A similar witness of love and the values of hospitality and compassion are also practiced by followers of other religions in your country. In this regard I am pleased to recognise the cordial and peaceful relationship existing in The Gambia between the members of different religions.

It speaks well of the friendly disposition of your people and their genuine religious sentiments. I pray that this good atmosphere will be consolidated and protected from the corrupting influence of ideologies that would use religion for political ends,” he told Ambassador Harding.

According to him, The Gambia's future is interwoven with the future of West Africa. “The Holy See looks with hope on the efforts to consolidate peace in the region. Nothing can dispense with the process of political dialogue where differences are harmonised and group expectations readjusted for the common good of the people. The Gambia has already given an example of this approach in a recent international dispute. I encourage your country to continue along this noble path in the solution of external and internal differences,” he said.

He then continued: “Your people continue to aspire, and rightly so, to a life of well-being in dignity and freedom. They seek improved political and social conditions that guarantee growth through initiative, creativity and exchange.

The Catholic Church gives its full encouragement and cooperation to all African governments who strive to strengthen the rule of law and eradicate corruption, to curb political harassment and the abuse of power.

In all spheres of life, especially in public affairs, the value of openness to others and submission to truth is the cornerstone of a human society worthy of the name. The commitment to truth is the soul of justice; it establishes and strengthens the right to freedom and opens the way to forgiveness and reconciliation.”

He said although The Gambia has been spared the scourge of war, it still labours under a number of hardships.

“The government and its respective departments and ministries, other agencies and political parties are attentive to these situations and can count on the loyal and generous cooperation of the Catholic Church. Living standards and sanitary conditions of sizeable segments of the population require continued attention.

I encourage all to become involved in the promotion of the essential equality and complementarity of man and woman. Likewise the struggle against AIDS has to continue on the medical and especially educational fronts.

Promiscuous sexual conduct is a root cause of many moral and physical ills and must be overcome by promoting a culture of marital faithfulness and moral integrity. The displacement of populations and the influx of refugees, seeking freedom from the many miseries that armed conflicts bring with them, is still a pressing problem which strains available resources.

I am aware of the difficulties involved and I encourage the people and the institutions, public and private, who offer their service to those in need. At the same time I appeal to the international community to play a generous part in supporting this humanitarian task,” he carried on.


Pope Benedict XVI then wished the Gambian plenipotentiary success in her mission, assuring her that “you may count on the willing and open cooperation of the Offices of the Vatican and the Roman Curia”.

“I am pleased to renew once again my good wishes to His Excellency, President Jammeh, to the government and people of your country. May Almighty God bestow upon the nation abundant and lasting blessings of wellbeing and peace,” the Pope prayed.