In the spirit of Senegambian brotherhood, the Bishop of Banjul, Robert P Ellison, on behalf of the Catholic Mission in The Gambia has felicitated the Archbishop of Dakar, Mgr Theodore Adrien Cardinal Sarr on his elevation to the post of cardinal by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI.

In a message delivered to the Daily Observer, Bishop Ellison wrote: I received with great joy and happiness the news of your nomination as Cardinal on the 19th of October 2007 by his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI .  Your nomination as Cardinal is certainly a great honour and blessing for our Senegambia region and West Africa.  It is testimony to the growth of the Church in this region.

On behalf of the Church in the Gambia and on my own behalf I wish to sincerely congratulate you on this momentous and grace filled event in your life and the life of the Church in Senegal, and for the confidence bestowed on you by the Holy Father by nominating you as Cardinal.

Futhermore, I would like to assure you of my fraternal and prayerful support at the forthcoming ceremony due to take place in Rome on the 24th November 2007, when you will be inducted as a member of the College of Cardinals.

May our Lady of Senegambia and the Queen of Peace continue to intercede for and unite us in the spirit of her Divine Son who has called us to go and make disciples of all nations - to be a light to the world and salt of the earth.  May Jesus her Son strengthen our sister Churches to be a living witness of His love in the Senegambia region.

It is my ardent hope that I will have the opportunity of meeting you and personally congratulating you and also extending an invitation to visit the Gambia to share this great joy with us.  Please accept, your Eminence, the assurances of my fraternal communion and prayers.