Today, April 18, 2022 marks exactly 140 years of the visit of the first ever-Catholic Missionary, Rev. Fr. Auguste Moreau, of the Society of African Missions (SMA), to Kumasi and the Manhyia Palace.
It also marks the beginning of the Catholic evangelization of the Ashanti kingdom and the establishment of the Catholic Faith in Ashanti.
The Anniversary is under the theme: “Renewing the SMA Missionary Spirit in Ashanti 140 years after the visit of Auguste Moreau SMA: ‘They that sow in tears shall reap in joy’” (Ps 126: 5-6)
Brief history
Though Catholic missionaries who accompanied Portuguese explorers made brief stops in Shama and Elmina in the 15th and 16th centuries, it was the arrival of the first two SMA missionary priests (Auguste Moreau, SMA, and Eugene Murat, SMA) in Elmina on 18th May 1880 which led to the establishment of the Catholic Church in the then Gold Coast. Hence, the SMA Fathers are the founding fathers of the Catholic Church in Ghana.
On their arrival in Elmina and having heard of the powerful Ashanti Kingdom, Fr. Moreau made it a point to visit Kumasi and explore ways of bringing the Gospel to Ashanti. He eventually made the journey to Kumasi on foot. By divine providence, he came across Mr. Brun, a French Merchant who knew some people at Manhyia Palace. With the help of one Prince Boakye, Fr. Moreau was able to carry out his project of visiting Kumasi in 1882.
The visit of Fr. Moreau, SMA, in 1882, saw the beginning of the Catholic Faith. In subsequent years, with the establishment of a resident station in Kumasi in 1910, with Fr. Joseph Muller SMA, and Fr. Alfred Laurent SMA, the Catholic community grew strong over the years making tremendous spiritual and developmental impact on Ashanti society.
Through the efforts of the early SMA missionaries, the generosity of past and present Asantehene, and the hospitality of the Ashanti people, various areas were touched: the building of churches, educational facilities, and health institutions. The first Catholic Bishop of Kumasi, Most Rev. Hubert Paulissen, SMA was very innovative and worked hard on building schools such as Opoku Ware School, St. Louis Secondary schools, and the many Roman Catholic Basic Schools.
From Kumasi, the church grew and expanded into the various towns and villages in Ashanti and in present-day Ahafo, Bono, Bono East and Eastern Regions of Ghana.
Anniversary activities
A yearlong activity has been put in place to commemorate the historic visit of Fr. Auguste Moreau, SMA to Kumasi
The activities are:
- Priestly ordination of SMA and diocesan priests in Kumasi on 9th July 2022
- Academic Conference in collaboration with KNUST and Book Launch in October; Theme: “Kumasi: The meeting point of Royalty, Religion and Diplomacy – Commemorating the 140th Anniversary of the visit of Fr. Auguste Moreau, SMA to Manhyia Palace”
- Mission animation and vocation promotion in different parishes established by the SMA in Ashanti
- Unveiling and sod cutting of anniversary project (a clinic in Akokoamong, Asokore Mampong) in Kumasi in 8th December 2022
- Visit to the Manhyia Palace
- A spiritual pilgrimage from Elmina to Kumasi in commemoration of Fr. Auguste Moreau SMA, among others.
The yearlong commemoration will be climaxed with a Grand durbar in Kumasi on Sunday 25 June 2023, feast of the SMA Founder, Venerable Bishop Melchior de Marion Bresillac.
Society of African Missions (SMA Fathers)
The Society of African Missions (SMA Fathers) is an international Congregation of Roman Catholic missionaries who serve people of Africa and of African descent. The acronym S.M.A is derived from the official Latin name: Societas Missionum ad Afros, which when translated into French reads Société des Missions Africaines and into English as Society of African Missions.
The SMA Fathers are the first Catholic missionary society in Ghana and in many West African Countries including Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. They are present in 19 African Countries as well as in Asia, Europe, and North and South America working to bring the Good News of salvation to those most abandoned in society.
Today, the SMA Ghana Province comprises 31 Ghanaian SMA Priests, 11 non-Ghanaian Priests, and 42 seminarians. The Provincial headquarters is located at New Oshuiman Estate, off the Pokuase-Awoshie Highway, Accra.
Renewing the SMA missionary passion
Today, across the Ashanti Region and beyond, the impact of the work of the SMA Fathers, the direct result of the heroic visit of Fr. Auguste Moreau in 1882 is visible in all facets of life. For instance, Emeritus Archbishop Peter Akwesi Sarpong, is an Honorary Member of the SMA. He remains so far, the only SMA from Ashanti. This anniversary, therefore, is aimed at inviting young Ashanti Catholics who would like to share in the missionary passion of the early missionaries to join the SMA Fathers. Moreso, given the achievements of the past 140 years, it is worth having a grand durbar to say “Not to us Oh Lord not to us but to your name be the glory” (Psalm 115:1) for the gift of faith and the fruitful sacrifice of the SMA Fathers in Ashanti.
Finally, we invite all and sundry to participate in the various anniversary activities. If you feel called and want to show gratitude to God for the selfless work of the SMA missionaries, you can be part of our SMA missionary family by sponsoring the training of SMA seminarians today and supporting the mission of the SMA priests. Support the spread of the new life in Christ!
“Those that sow in tears reap with joy”- Psalm 126:5-6
Long live the SMA Fathers! Long live the Catholic Church! God bless you!
