Senegalese Bishop Urges Youth to Reject Drugs & Embrace Hopeful Future
Kafountine, Senegal – Bishop Jean-Baptiste Valter Manga of Ziguinchor urged young people in his diocese to reject destructive behaviors, including drug employ and excessive indulgence, during the Journées Mondiales de la Jeunesse (World Youth Days) celebrations held Sunday, March 22, 2026.
Speaking before hundreds of attendees at the Notre-Dame de la Joie parish in Kafountine, Manga called on the youth to make responsible choices and build a future grounded in hope, and accountability. The event, themed “Take courage! I have overcome the world,” drew participants from across the diocese.
“I inquire young people to make responsible choices and abandon everything that destroys their lives, particularly drugs and excesses that distance them from their dreams,” Manga stated, according to reports from Lesoleil.sn and PressAfrik. He emphasized the need for a collective awakening and a rejection of paths leading to ruin.
The bishop’s address also touched on broader societal challenges. He paid tribute to soldiers recently killed in the Ziguinchor region, acknowledging the regional security concerns. Manga urged young people to be a force for stability, rather than contributing to disruption, in a region facing persistent social and security vulnerabilities.
Manga cautioned against the allure of “false prophets” offering easy paths to success, warning that genuine achievement requires effort, faith, and responsibility. He referenced the Gospel of John, reminding the congregation that faith does not promise a life free of hardship, but offers victory to those who persevere. He also addressed ongoing disruptions to schooling, encouraging dialogue and constructive forms of expression.
The bishop’s message resonated with a symbolic gesture during the eucharistic celebration: the presentation of a cross to the youth of the diocese, signifying a commitment to peace and reconciliation. Manga expressed hope that the momentum generated at the Kafountine event would extend beyond the World Youth Days, permeating communities, schools, and families.
The event took place as Manga recently entered his role as Pastor of the Ziguinchor diocese, having been ordained as bishop on November 23, 2024, and installed at the Saint Antoine de Padoue cathedral, according to Seneplus.com.
The next World Youth Days are scheduled to be held in Ziguinchor, with the aim of building on the spiritual and social dynamics fostered in Kafountine.