Our Story
“Be apostles, be nothing but apostles
”
Who we are
The Missionaries of Africa (also known as “The White Fathers”), are an international Missionary Society of priests and brothers, founded in 1868, by Cardinal Charles Lavigerie, Archbishop of Algiers and Carthage in North Africa. The name “White Fathers” comes from their white habit. This was based on the traditional North African dress of a white gown (gandoura) and a white hooded cloak (burnous). A rosary is worn around the neck to show we are men of prayer.
Worldwide
At present there are about 1063 Missionaries of Africa – fully professed priests, deacons and brothers.
There are 338 living and working in Europe. Many of these are retired because of age or ill health.
In the Americas there are 77. Many are elderly or infirm., although some are still engaged in ministry.
38 confreres working in North Africa.
In West Africa there are 96 and 48 in Ghana/Nigeria.
In East Africa there are 120.
In Central Africa there are 93 confreres, and in Southern Africa 114 confreres.
Ethiopia and the Near East has 23 confreres and the Asian Sector has 16 confreres for the moment.
Finally there are 40 confreres in the Generalate in Rome of whom 15 are confreres doing further studies, and 2 teaching at the Pontifical Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies (PISAI)
For the moment there are about 466 students at various stages of preparation in the houses of study (mainly in Africa). There are 200 in 11 First Phase (Philosophy) Houses (3 or 4 years of study), 40 in 3 Second Phase (Spiritual Year/Noviciate) Houses, 87 doing 2 years parish training throughout the world and 139 in 5 Fourth Phase (Theology) Houses(4 years of study) in Africa and Jerusalem. Most of these are Africans, although there are some from the Americas, and Asia. There are not many Europeans coming forward at present, and these are mainly from Poland. With the Introductory Year in most Provinces, the studies up to the Missionary Oath/Ordination can take about 12 years. This is to make sure that the candidate has had plenty of time to reflect to see if this is truly their vocation, but also to prepare them properly for the task they are about to take on.
Arrival in Great Britain
The Missionaries of Africa first arrived in Great Britain in 1912 and their first foundation was in the Diocese of Portsmouth at The Priory, Bishops Waltham, Hampshire. The house was transformed into a Junior Seminary. During the course of the following years, further houses were opened in both England and Scotland to cater for growing needs.
Our present work in UK
Individual members are involved in various Society activities. Care of sick and elderly missionaries is a major concern. At weekends, missionaries visit assigned parishes preaching about our work and collecting funds.
Others have a specific work such as editing our magazine Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers), and other Media work, or in necessary administration. Ministry in neighbouring parishes is undertaken whenever possible as a way of helping the local Church. Justice and Peace issues are also to the forefront in our work, as is the promotion of Vocations to the missionary life. Finally, we have taken responsibility for a city centre parish in Liverpool, where there is a small congregation and the confreres are responsible for outreach to migrants and local Muslims.
pep.gbr.safeguarding@mafr.org (Missionaries of Africa Safeguarding in Great Britain)
www.csas.uk.net (Catholic Church Safeguarding in UK)