This weekend we welcome Fr Hugh Seenan who will be celebrating Mass while Canon Alan is away on holiday.
Hugh was ordained priest in 1989 in Our Lady and St. George Parish, Penilee, Glasgow, and then worked as a missionary in Mozambique, India and Malawi.
More information about the Missionaries of Africa
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 over 1144 Missionaries of Africa – fully professed priests, deacons and brothers.
A great number are living and working in Europe. Many of these are retired because of age or ill health.
In the Americas there are 111. Many are elderly or infirm., although some are still engaged in ministry.
27 confreres working in North Africa.
In West Africa there are 81 and 52 in Ghana/Nigeria.
In East Africa there are 106.
In Central Africa there are 109 confreres, and in Southern Africa 92 confreres.
Ethiopia and the Near East has 27 confreres and the Asian Sector has 17 confreres for the moment.
Finally there are 38 confreres in the Generalate in Rome, including 17 confreres doing further studies.
For the moment there are about 460 students at various stages of preparation in the houses of study (mainly in Africa). There are 200 in 11 First Phase (Philosophy) Houses, 60 in 3 Second Phase (Spiritual Year/Noviciate), 57 doing 2 years parish training throughout the world and 143 in 5 Fourth Phase (Theology) Houses 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.
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 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 at the forefront of our work, as is the promotion of Vocations to the missionary life. Finally, we have taken responsibility for a city centre parish in Liverpool. There is a small congregation and the confreres will be responsible for outreach to migrants and local Muslims.
