Europe
The Province of Europe is divided into 9 Sectors and is at present our largest province as regards numbers of confreres. In the past, most confreres would have originated from Europe. Now many of these confreres have reached retirement age and have returned to their countries of origin. Gradually the numbers of African, American and Asian confreres are increasing, whilst the number of European confreres is diminishing. As well as the retired confreres, others in Europe are involved in caring for the aged confreres, in administration and in sensitising the local churches in Europe to the Church in Africa. In recent years, specifically missionary projects have been started, and responsibility for certain parishes accepted, where outreach to migrants has been the primary goal.
There are projects already in place with two missionary insertions in Germany and one in Spain. As for parishes, two have been taken on in France (Marseilles and Toulouse) and one in Great Britain (Liverpool). Since it is our common mission, European, Asian, African and American confreres are all involved.
1. Belgian Sector - 7 communities
In the 3 communities in Brussels, some confreres are engaged in Provincial and Sector administration, some in specialist ministries and some are retired.
In the community in Antwerp, most confreres are retired although some have outside ministries. The houses in Genk, Namur and the 2 houses in Varsenare are mainly for retired confreres.
Altogether there are 83 Belgian confreres, 73 in Belgium and 14 elsewhere. Finally there are 3 non-Belgian Missionaries of Africa working in Belgium.
2. British Sector - 4 communities
Corfton Road, Ealing, London, is concerned mainly with Mission Appeals, Media and some pastoral ministry.
Little Ealing Lane, London, houses the Administration Team for the Sector, retired confreres and some confreres doing ministry. Sometimes confreres following further studies stay there.
The Missionaries of Africa have been entrusted with a parish in the centre of Liverpool. The community consists of 4 confreres (including a stagiaire). A major task of the parish is outreach to migrants and Muslims generally in the area. www.stvincentsparish.org.uk
Rutherglen, near Glasgow, is a centre for Mission Appeals in Scotland and ministry.
There are 33 British confreres 25 in UK and 8 elsewhere. Finally there are 5 non-British Missionaries of Africa working in Great Britain.
3. French Sector - 7 communities
The 2 houses in Paris (rue de Verlomme and rue Friant) are involved in various ministries, welcoming visitors, and administration within the Sector.
The communities in Bry-sur-Marne and in Billère, are mainly for retired confreres and their carers.
The community in Mours, near Paris, is mainly for elderly but active confreres.
The communities in Marseille and Toulouse each look after a parish with out-reach to migrants.
There are 86 French confreres in France, 1 Associate Member and 2 stagiaires (2 years pastoral work) and 14 elsewhere. Finally there are 12 non-French Missionaries of Africa working in France.
4. German/Luxemburg Sector - 6 communities
The community in Cologne looks after Sector administration, and some confreres serve outside pastoral ministries.
There is a community in Berlin, concerned mainly with the AfrikaCenter (helping migrants settle down and adjust). Other confreres also have other ministries.
The communities in Haigerloch (Hechingen), Munich, and Trier, are primarily for retired confreres, although some confreres still have outside ministry.
Finally, there is “Haus Lavigerie”, a mixed community of Missionaries of Africa (3) and Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (2) in Karlruhe. It is a parish with outreach (dialogue/encounter with Muslims and integration of immigrants).
There are 69 German confreres plus 1 Luxemburger. Luxemburg was a separate sector until numbers decreased to the point where it was agreed that it should be merged with the German sector . 58 German confreres are in Germany and 11 elsewhere. Finally there are 4 non-German Missionaries of Africa working in Germany.
5. Irish Community - 1 community
For administrative purposes, Ireland now comes directly under the European Provincial in Brussels. The community (in Dublin) consists of confreres responsible for administration and promotion, retired confreres and sometimes confreres doing further studies.
There are 20 Irish confreres, 11 in Ireland and 9 elsewhere.
6. Italian Sector - 3 communities
In Treviglio there are 2 communities, one composed of retired confreres and the other made up of those confreres, including the Delegate Superior, working in Administration.
Most of the confreres living in Castelfranco are retired, but also help with teaching Italian to migrants.
There are 20 Italian confreres. 16 are in Italy and 4 are elsewhere.Finally there is 1 non-Italian Missionary of Africa working in Italy.
The Generalate in Rome is classed separately from the Italian Sector.
7. Dutch Sector - 1 community
The community in Heythuysen is a retirement community and the Provincial Delegate lives there also.
There are 41 Dutch confreres, 31 in the Netherlands and 10 elsewhere.
8. Polish Sector - 1 community
The community in Poland is in Lublin. The confreres there look after administration, and Mission Animation. It is also a house of formation for Polish candidates who live in community whilst attending Philosophy classes at Lublin University.
There are 17 Polish confreres, 4 in Poland and 13 elsewhere. Finally there are 3 non-Polish Missionaries of Africa working in Poland.
9. Spanish Sector - 3 communities
The house in Pamplona is a mixed community: some retired confreres and some doing ministry.
In Madrid there is one community consisting of confreres working in Fundacion Sur (devoted to ministry and media, helping to make Africa and the Church in Africa better known), the Provincial Delegate, and some retired confreres and others who are still in active ministry.
The house in Roquetas de Mar (Almeria) is dedicated to working with migrants. There are 4 confreres there plus a stagiaire.
There are 54 Spanish confreres. 41 in Spain and 13 elsewhere. Finally there are 2 non-Spanish Missionaries of Africa working in Spain.
10. Swiss Sector - 2 communities
The Provincial Delegate lives in Fribourg. Other confreres work there too in administration.
In Veyras most of the confreres are retired.
All 16 Swiss confreres are in Switzerland.