Bishop of Banjul
Fr Gabriel Mendy was born in Lamin on 9th April 1967. He completed his secondary schooling at St Peter’s Technical High School, Lamin, in 1985, and lived in the novitiate in The Gambia from 1985 to 1987. After studying philosophy at Nsukka in Nigeria from 1987 to 1990 he gained pastoral experience in the parish of the Most Holy Trinity in the Diocese of Kenema, Sierra Leone, from 1990 to 1991. He studied at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, USA, obtaining a BA in philosophy, and went on to serve at St Peter’s Seminary and St Theresa’s Secondary School from 1992 to 1993, before continuing his training at the Spiritan International School of Theology in Enugu, Nigeria, from 1993 to 1997. He made his perpetual vows in the Congregation of the Holy Spirit on 31st August 1996, and was ordained priest by Bishop Michael Cleary on 15th November 1997, together with Bruno Toupan and Fr Antoine Sambou. After ordination, Fr Mendy served from 1997 to 1998 at St Peter’s Lamin and St Therese’s Kanifing. Subsequently he served the parish of St Martin of Porres in Freetown, Sierra Leone and taught at the Major Pre-Seminary of St Kizito in Kenema, Sierra Leone. He was Pastor at Holy Trinity Kenema from 1999-2002, then Pastor in Santa Maria Pendembu, Sierra Leone, from 2002-2004. He studied at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, USA, from 2004-2009; and was parish vicar at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Staten Island, New York, from 2009-2010. From 2010 until his appointment as Bishop of Banjul, Fr Mendy taught ecclesiology, fundamental theology, theology of worship, liturgy and catechesis at the Spiritan International School of Theology in Nigeria, becoming Vice Rector in 2011. At Duquesne University he obtained a diploma in theology in 1998 and, in 2009, a PhD in systematic theology. Preparatory to his ordination as Bishop, Fr Mendy returned home to The Gambia on Wednesday 3rd January, when he was received by enthusiastic crowds at Banjul International Airport.