On the 17th of March 2018, the members of the Society of African Missions (SMA) working in the Ghana Region and from elsewhere gathered to celebrate two important events in Ghana: the 25th anniversary celebration of Rev. Fr. Michael Adrie, the first priest from the African foundation and the re-dedication of the SMA Formation House in Sowutuom.
25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF REV. FR. MICHAEL ADRIE
It can be recalled in 1969, Pope Paul VI admonished the African continent to grow on the level of evangelization and be its own missionaries. The SMA responded to this call by accepting African candidates, a decision that was taken at its General Assembly in 1983. It was a big dream for the society at that time that became a reality on 29th September 1992 when the first member of the then African Foundation was ordained in the person of Michael Adrie from Ghana. The ordination took place in Winneba, Ghana and was presided over by Most Rev Francis K. Lodonu, the then Bishop of Keta-Ho, the diocese of origin of Michael Adrie in the presence of many Superiors and members.
It can be recalled in 1969, Pope Paul VI admonished the African continent to grow on the level of evangelization and be its own missionaries. The SMA responded to this call by accepting African candidates, a decision that was taken at its General Assembly in 1983. It was a big dream for the society at that time that became a reality on 29th September 1992 when the first member of the then African Foundation was ordained in the person of Michael Adrie from Ghana. The ordination took place in Winneba, Ghana and was presided over by Most Rev Francis K. Lodonu, the then Bishop of Keta-Ho, the diocese of origin of Michael Adrie in the presence of many Superiors and members.
After 25 years, the SMA organized a celebration in SMA Formation House in Sowutuom. to mark the anniversary. The event brought together superiors and confreres including Fr. Fabien Sognon (DFGG Superior), Fr. Samuel Agbeme (DFGG Vice Superior), Fr. Augustine Houessinon (DFB Vice Superior), Fr. James Owusu-Yeboah (Regional Superior, Ghana), Fr. Jules Adator (Regional Superior, Togo), Fr. Dr. Paul Ennin (Rector, ICMA Cote d’Ivoire), Fr Dr. Francis Arthur (Rector of St. Paul Catholic Seminary, Sowutuom) and many SMA priests and diocesans. Also present were some OLA sisters, members from the following associations: Knights and Ladies of Marshall, Knights of St. John and Ladies Auxiliaries, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Christian Mothers, Friends of SMA and parishioners of Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Kwashieman and from the SMA parishes in Accra and Winneba. The Mass was presided over by the Jubilarian and the homily delivered by the Regional Superior who took the congregation through the historical moments of the Church in Ghana and the foundation of the African units in the SMA.
REDEDICATION OF THE SMA HOUSE OF FORMATION
The jubilee celebration also saw the rededication of the SMA House of Formation in Sowutuom. The house was built some 30 years ago had not undergone any major renovation since then. So, there is a new look of the house after 3 years of renovation works. The re-dedication was done by the Regional Superior Rev. Fr. James Owusu-Yeboah.
SMA MISSION IN GHANA
On May 18th, 1880, two S.M.A missionary priests Frs. Auguste Moreau and Eugene Murat arrived in Elmina, in what was then called the Gold Coast: Their task sounds simple: establish the Church in this part of Africa. Three months later one of them- Father Murat died, although another missionary came shortly afterwards to replace him, Fr Moreau was alone for some time. The beginning was not rosy. The seed of Catholicism was sworn in hardship. The lack of financial assistance from Europe coupled with the absence of local cooperation for the mission really shook the faith and tested the patience of the beginners of the mission. In fact, it took more than a year to find suitable land for the construction of the Church.
Notwithstanding these difficulties, a school was started by Father Moreau in his mission house in April 1881. He made the furniture and gave the lessons himself; taught catechism and music, while studying the local Fanti language. He also died on 21st March 1886, near Axim at the age of 39. From such humble beginnings, emerged the Catholic Church in Ghana.
So, what began some 134 years ago as a respectful contact, has developed into a true, lasting relationship of salvation through Jesus Christ. The SMA has learnt a lot from the people of Ghana. We the members of SMA feel privileged to have been involved in the foundation and the growth of the Church in Ghana. Pope John Paul II, in his address to the S.M.A. at its General Assembly in 1983 told the society to “create links between the older and younger churches”, to be “transparent signs of communion and of sharing between the churches” and to be “witnesses to the Catholicity of the church”. We keep on fulfilling this mandate and we hope to extend it to the future generation of missionaries.
posted by: Bright
