SMA Missionaries commended for 140 years of existence in Ghana

As the Society of African Missions (SMA) marked its 140th Anniversary of presence in Ghana on Monday, May 18, 2020, a Ghanaian SMA Priest has congratulated all SMA missionaries working in the country for their dedication and zeal to missionary work in the land of Gold.

“On the occasion of the 140th anniversary of the establishment of the Roman Catholic Church here in Ghana, I wish to congratulate all missionaries working in the country most especially the SMA fathers and OLA sisters who are contributing immensely to the advancement of the mission of the church in various parts of the country,” said Rev. Fr. Nimorious Kwabena Domanzing, SMA, Parish Priest of St. Francis of Assisi, Ashaley Botwe in Accra.

May 18, 2020 was exactly 140 years when two young French SMA Missionaries by name Frs. Auguste Moreau and Eugene Murat arrived in the then Gold Coast (present-day Ghana) to start their work of evangelization in response to the Great Commission of Jesus: “Go, therefore, and make disciples from all nations. Baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Mt. 28:19).

In a goodwill message to mark the 140th Anniversary, he made available to Newswatchgh.com, Fr. Domanzing said: “It has been the gracious will of God that you and I become not only the fruits and heirs of the labours and sacrifices of the first missionaries, but that we live to celebrate this memorable event.”

He expressed gratitude to God “for calling me to serve the Church as an SMA priest and pray for all missionaries all over the world that we may have the love and zeal that animated our fathers in the faith to continue the mission which began many years ago,” he stated, saying “Over the past 140 years, the Church in Ghana, like the Biblical mustard seed, has grown from humble beginnings to what it has become today.”

“Today (May 18, 2020) as we celebrate the 140th anniversary of the arrival of the first two SMA fathers, namely Frs. Auguste Moreau and Eugene Murat, we are called to bring to memory the selfless sacrifices they and many others missionaries made and to make ours the thoughts and hopes that led them to this land,” he averred.

According to Fr. Domanzing “the simple but strong faith of these early missionaries, a faith that led them to face numerous challenges is what we are called to embrace today. We must make our faith effective, active and visible in our everyday life, even if it may cost us problems.”

“It is my fervent prayer that the good Lord will continue to prosper the work of missionaries all over the world, he said, adding that “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. (Eph. 3.20-21).”

In a similar message from the SMA Vocation Office on the occasion of the 140th Anniversary of SMA Presence in Ghana, Rev. Fr. Mark Gebe, SMA Vocation Director, Ghana Province, said “The seed of evangelisation sown by Fr. Auguste Moreau and Eugene Murat 140 years ago which gave birth to the Catholic Faith in Ghana must continue to be watered.”

He added: “On this occasion of the 140th Anniversary of SMA in Ghana, the SMA Vocation Office is calling on all young men who have the desire to serve God as a Missionary Priest to come and experience the Charism and the way of life of the SMA,” Fr. Gebe said.

“Congratulations to all SMA fathers from Ghana and those working in Ghana; OLA Sisters from Ghana and those working in Ghana; friends of SMA and all Parishioners of the various SMA Parishes.”

For those interested in the SMA Vocations can contact the Vocation’s Director through the following SMA Vocation Office, P.O. Box AH 274, Achimota-Accra. Tel:0240282387. Email: smafathers2017@gmail.com.