On November 23, 2024, Bishop Jean-Baptiste Valter Manga officially accepted the role of pastor of the Diocese of Ziguinchor, as bishop of this Church, the family of God located in the region. Sunday, November 23, 2025, marked the first year of Bishop Jean-Baptiste Valter Manga's episcopate. After a year at the head of this diocese, the Bishop of Ziguinchor reflects on his accomplishments and outlines his priorities.

 

 

In an interview with RFZ, the Religion and Faith channel in Ziguinchor, Bishop Jean-Baptiste Valter highlighted the actions undertaken and the pastoral priorities, particularly the building of peace.

The bishop recalled the words of Pope John Paul II in 1992 in Ziguinchor: "Build here a house of peace." He thus wants to question the inhabitants of Ziguinchor—Muslims, Christians, and followers of traditional religions—about the progress of this peacebuilding effort.

To build this peace, Bishop Manga affirms his desire for an interreligious approach:

"Peace is a common good which allows everyone to live and work serenely, and he will not work alone but with others," insisted Bishop Jean-Baptiste Valter Manga.

After 40 years of conflict, he believes it is time for all stakeholders to come together around a table. He calls on all these stakeholders, the State of Senegal and the MFDC, to commit to a peace process and provide clear guidelines.

The bishop of the diocese of Ziguinchor acknowledges that the path to peace will not be easy. However, he recommends that we must persevere.

 

During this interview, Bishop Jean-Baptiste highlighted the pastoral and economic challenges and priorities of his diocese. He emphasized the importance of developing the region's internal resources to ensure a dignified life for its inhabitants.

Bishop Jean-Baptiste Valter Manga has made inclusive economics his diocesan priority. This inclusive economy aims to enable the faithful to meet their needs and support the Church in its mission of evangelization.

He encouraged young people to see their future in the region, working the land and participating in local economic development.

The Bishop of Ziguinchor called for the purification of the land, symbolically defiled by the blood of conflicts, inviting women and diocesan members to pray for forgiveness and reconciliation.

 

Bishop Jean Baptiste-Valter is counting on the organization and determination of women, particularly in agriculture, to show the way and encourage young people to get involved.

 

The pastor of the Church of God called for unity. He also prayed for a peaceful school year so that students could achieve good results. On this point, Bishop Jean-Baptiste Valter Manga urged state authorities to work towards calming social tensions and to do everything possible to prevent disruptions to schooling.