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‘LET US ALL SAY: ENOUGH … STOP THE WAR!’ – IRISH BISHOPS STATEMENT

On the second day of the 2024 Spring General Meeting of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Maynooth, the bishops called for an urgent...

Join with the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking – Feast...

The Church's International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking takes place every year on February 8th, which is also the feast day...

CLIMATE AND BIODIVERSITY – THINKING ECOLOGICALLY – The 2023 Intergenerational Climate Justice Conference –...

  About Cork Conference on Intergenerational Climate Justice The Cork Conference on Intergenerational Climate Justice is an annual event dedicated to fostering awareness, understanding, and action...

Not a moment to waste

A recent report by George Lee, for RTE News, speaking about the latest information form the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service makes for grim...

MESSAGE OF POPE FRANCIS FOR WORLD DAY OF PEACE 1 JANUARY 2024

Below is the text of Pope Francis's message for World Day of Peace.  The theme is Artificial Intelligence, a topic we have all heard...

Homily for Sunday 31st December 2023 – Feast of the Holy Family

Theme:   ‘Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you’ (Colossians 3:18) Readings: Genesis:15:1-6 and 21:1-3; Colossians 3:12-21; Luke 2:22-40 On...

Christmas is the night of joy and liberation from slavery: missionaries urge the faithful...

"Instead of working only on setting up the physical nativity scene, we insisted on building the interior nativity scene, the nativity scene of our...
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A Christmas Meditation

              ‘The image sticks in the mind. A young woman, her heavily pregnant belly heaving, as she is carried on a stretcher away from a...

DECEMBER 2023| For those with disabilities

Pope Francis asks the Church and civil institutions to embrace inclusion and to foster the active participation of people with disabilities  Pope Francis asks for prayers...

Reflection for the last week of Advent – Fr Seamus Nohilly SMA

For the past three weeks we have brought you Reflections from SMA Fathers focusing on different aspects of our faith and Christian living as...

Homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent 2023

Readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-5,8-11,16; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38 Theme: Having the Courage to say  ‘Yes’  to God The role of Mary in the unfolding of God’s...

REFLECTION FOR THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT – Fr Anthony Kelly SMA

Each week until Christmas a short video reflection on the Season of Advent will be published on this website.  Each reflection has been recorded...

Homily for the Third Sunday of Advent 2023

Readings: Isaiah 61:1-2,10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8,19-28  Theme: Waiting in Joyful Hope I will begin with a story  ‘There was once an Indian tribe whose...

A Reflection based on the Readings for Saturday, 9th December 2023

Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26      Matthew 9:35 – 10: 1,5,6-8 Matthew’s preferred image for Jesus is that of teacher. This is most evident in the Sermon on...

Pope Francis to COP28: ‘Choose life, choose the future!’

Below is the message of Pope Francis to COP28 that was delivered by Cardinal Parolin on his behalf.  This powerful and hard hitting message...

REFLECTION FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT – Fr Damian Bresnahan SMA

Each week until Christmas a short video reflection on the Season of Advent will be published on this website.  Each reflection has been recorded...

COP28 and Laudate Deum

COP stands for "conference of the parties", with parties being the 197 countries that have signed up to the UN climate treaty (UNFCCC) to...

Laudate Deum”: a call to respond to the Climate Crisis

In October 2023 Pope Francis published this Apostolic Exhortation in which he develops themes expressed in his 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si’  Its opening paragraphs...

Peace is not made with weapons – Fr Luigi Maccalli SMA

While in captivity I understood that peace is not made with weapons "I am very saddened by what I hear and see in the...

MISSIONARY VOICES – PODCAST 5

This week we bring you the fifth and last Missionary Voices Podcast in this series.  Sr Juvenale Yevide OLA who lives and works in Maradi,...

SMA OLA PODCAST SERIES No 4

To mark the Season of Creation a collaboration between the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles and the Society of African Missions has produced...

World Day of Migrants and Refugees – 24th Sept

The Church has marked World Day of Migrants and Refugees since 1914. It is always an occasion to express concern for different vulnerable people...

SMA OLA PODCAST SERIES No 3

To mark the Season of Creation  a collaborative effort between the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles and the Society of African Missions has...

SMA OLA PODCAST SERIES No 2

The Season of Creation  began on the first of September with the World Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends on the fourth of...

SMA OLA PODCAST SERIES to mark the Season of Creation

The Season of Creation  began on the first of September with the World Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends on the fourth of...

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR THE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE...

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PASSION of John the Baptist 29/08/23

Yesterday we celebrated Saint Augustine. One of the lines associated with him ‘Late have I loved you’ might be changed for today’s saint –...

AFRICA – The rush for lithium: an opportunity for the continent?

Rome (Fides News Agency) - Africa holds 30-75% of the world's reserves of lithium, phosphate, copper, chromium, manganese, gold, platinum, diamonds and aluminum Some...

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons2023

The UN designated “World Day Against Trafficking" in Persons, marked on the 30th of July each year, highlights the fact that globally more than...

JUNE 2023| For a non-violent culture

“Let us put a stop to this horror of torture!”: Pope Francis’s strong appeal to the international community  The new video contains a powerful call for the...

Protecting Biodiversity – COP15

This is the second article to mark Laudato Si Week 2023, which this year has the theme of "Hope for the Earth, Hope for...

Caring for Our Common Home – Laudato Si’ Week 2023

To mark the eighth anniversary of the publication of the encyclical “Laudato Si' – On Care for Our Common Home” this week (on 24...

St Josephine Bakhita – International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking

In the Church calendar February 8th, is both the feast of St Bakhita and also International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. St...
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UN Committee for the Rights of the Child – Review of Ireland.

On the 24th and 25th of January the UN’s Committee on the Rights of the Child will review Ireland during its meeting in Geneva. A...

Conference Of Parties (COP)What Happened?

Below is the text SMA Justice Briefing No 47 In 2022 the severe impacts of climate change were made clearly visible through widespread floods, heat,...

Urgency and responsibility should orient work of COP27 – Holy See

We have reached the final day of COP27 and again, as in previous years, it is likely to go overtime as participants haggle over...

JOURNEYING TOGETHER FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE: An African perspective- part 2

Today, by way of preparation for he COP27, we bring you the second part of the African Climate Dialogues which give an African perspective...

JOURNEYING TOGETHER FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE: An African perspective- part 1

In advance of COP27 we publish the first part of a Communique from the AFRICAN Climate Dialogues.  These took the form of five sessions...

COP27

The UN Climate Change Conference (the official name for climate Conferences Of Parties) has happened every year since 1995. These two-week long gatherings are...

World Day of Migrants and Refugees – Sunday 25th September

PRAYER Lord, make us bearers of hope, so that where there is darkness, your light may shine, and where there is discouragement, confidence in the future may be reborn. Lord,...

SEASON OF CREATION 2022 – 1st Sept to 4th Oct

The Season of Creation begins on 1 September, World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and ends on 4 October, the Feast...

World Day against Trafficking in Persons 2022 – 30th July

One minute Video to raise awareness that Human Trafficking has conquered cyberspace - click to view and to expand  One minute Video to highlight...

Laudato Si Week – “Listening and Journeying Together” 22 – 29 MAY

This weeklong global event will mark the seventh anniversary of Pope Francis' landmark encyclical on creation care and unite the world’s 1.3 billion...

Cost of living: the poorest are suffering the most

In an interview with Vatican Radio, SMA Father Seán J Healy has reminded Irish politicians that society will be judged by how it deals...

Labour Trafficking and Supply Chains – part two

The $43.4 billion per annum that accrues from forced labour is the root cause motivating Traffickers to enslave human beings.  Stopping these profits is...

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING – Labour Trafficking and Supply Chains

Today, 8 February, the international anti-human trafficking network, Thalita Kum, invite you to participate in an eight-hour online Marathon of Prayer and Awareness against...

SMA and OLA Justice Work – a look back at 2020

Since 2014 collaboration between the SMA and OLA Justice and Communications Offices has grown. This has been facilitated by the establishment of a Joint...
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Pope: Justice and peace must overcome political, economic contradictions

During an online meeting of of Justice and Peace Commissions of various national Bishops’ Conferences, hosted by The Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human...

World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2021

Every year the World Day of Migrants and Refugees takes place on the last Sunday of September.  The Church has marked this day since...

Human Trafficking: Protecting Victims in Ireland – TIP Video 6

Today we conclude our video series on based on the Annual Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP) published by the US State Department in June...

TRAFFICKING – Prevention in Ireland – Tip Report Video 5

We continue today with the 5th in our series of videos based on the Annual Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP) published by the US...

Human Trafficking – Law Enforcement – TIP Report Video 4

Today we bring you the 4th in a series of six videos based on the Annual Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP) published by the...

Human Trafficking IRELAND’S RANKING – TIP Report Video 3

Today we bring you the third in a series of six videos based on the Annual Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP) published by the...

World Day against Trafficking in Persons 2021

World Day against Trafficking in Persons is held on July 30th each year.  This year the theme set by the UN is “Victims’ Voices...

The challenge of a new mission… the support of a joyful and active laity,...

In many countries of the African continent young people have few prospects and life is precarious. In Foya, in a remote corner of Liberia,...

THE WORLD OF FINANCE – Pope Francis

  Today, when we hear talk of finances, we often feel as if it’s a subject very distant from our day-to-day life. As Francis says,...

SMA Summer School 2021 – Tanzania PROJECT

  This page will contain information about the project in Tanzania run by Sr Regina OLA and a direct link to the Project or OLA...
Image by Farkhod Vakhob from Pixabay

Indian Catholic schools become hospitals for Covid patients

A Report from AGENZIA FIDES, the Vatican News Agency for the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, is reporting that the Archdiocese of Bangalore,...

SMA SUMMER SCHOOL 2021 – date for your Diary

          This year the SMA Summer School will take place on-line over a one and a half day period.  Here we bring you advance notice...

WEBINAR: Global Economics and Local Impacts – the effect on Women and Girls in...

TO BOOK CLICK ON THIS LINK http://bit.ly/38P4fIS  

Planned exclusion of refugees from vaccination

The Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS) is calling for equity in vaccine distribution. “Equal access to vaccinations is necessary to ensure public health for all in...

WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE – Feb 20th 2021

The United Nations' World Day of Social Justice is observed each year on February 20th.  The theme for 2021 is; A Call for Social...

Human Trafficking: Ireland’s Reality – WEBINAR

The Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) and the Society of African Missions (SMA) will be hosting a Webinar:  Human Trafficking: Ireland’s Reality Date: Tuesday...

Advent Reflections

This page contains the eight Advent Reflections from SMA Fathers and an OLA Sister. These were written and recorded especially for Advent in a...

Label helps shoppers choose environmentally-friendly produced rice

The Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) has launched a label which identifies sustainably-produced rice. The label will help shoppers reduce the environmental impact of rice...

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2020 – Year A

20 September 2020 Isaiah 55:6-9 Phillipians 1:20-24, 27 Matthew 20:1-16 Work is more than a paid job... Who are you?                   ...

SMA Wilton parish celebrates the Season of Creation

St Joseph's SMA Parish, Wilton, Cork marked the beginning of the 2020 Season of Creation with a special Service on Tuesday, 1 September, at...

The Season of Creation – a time for Prayer and Action

The season starts 1 September, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends 4 October, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron...

Dark Clouds of Violence over Our Land

A Statement from the Catholic Bishops of Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province, Nigeria,  on the incessant killings in the Province The dark clouds of violence have enveloped our...

Body and Blood of Christ 2019 – Year C

23 June 2019 Genesis 14:8-20 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Luke 9: 11-17 One time I remember visiting a bush village in Africa. It was a very poor area. It...

Pentecost Sunday 2019 – Year C

 9 June 2019 Acts 2;1-11 1 Cor 12:3-7,12-13 John 20:19-23 An Irish doctor friend of mine told me of a time he received a call from...

6th Sunday of Easter 2019 – Year C

26 May 2019 Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23 John 14:23-29 Some years ago my uncle was dying in a hospital and he was aware of this....

SMA Provincial Leader commends the work of SHALOM

“Shalom’s contextually driven, rigorous but adaptable and forward-looking methodology represents a model approach towards peace-building in highly complex situations, such as those that pertain...

The main concerns of Synod representatives from Africa

Two major preoccupations raised were unemployment and poverty Lucie Sarr October 30, 2018 https://international.la-croix.com/news/the-main-concerns-of-synod-representatives-from-africa/8735 African bishops and young auditors at the Synod assembly on Young People,...

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2019 – Year C

3 March 2019 Sirach 27.4-7 1 Cor 15.54-58 Luke 6.39-45 There is a story about a scorpion that wants to cross a river. It chances upon a turtle...

Living Faith Means Living Justly

JUSTICE OLD TESTAMENT 1   JUSTICE OLD TESTAMENT 2    JUSTICE THE NEW TESTAMENT   KEY THEMES IN CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING CARE FOR CREATION 1 CARE FOR CREATION 2 THE SOJOURNERS 1 THE SOJOURNERS...

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2018 – Year B

28 October 2018 Jeremiah 31:7-9 Hebrews 5:1-6 Mark 10:46-52 In biblical times blindness was very common, as in Africa today, where every village has its blind, some from...

Family Tree Programme – Additional Resources

Scroll down for visual, prayer, film clips and song resources. Online links to film clips and videos of songs are provided.  Click here to download...

Missionary Association Cards (MAC)

Much of the good work done by SMA in support of Africa over the years has been as a result of the generous donations...
FVC CG 4

Family Vocations Community

Established in 1959 to support the young priests in formation, The Family Vocations Crusade (FVC) began in the North based at Dromantine but spread...

SMA NOVENA IN HONOUR OF OUR LADY

The annual Novena to Our Lady begins at St. Joseph's SMA Church, Blackrock Road, Cork, on Friday 19th May, and culminates with our annual pilgrimage...

Shalom’s Methodology Have Impact in Northern Ireland

The following article on the work of Shalom, Kenya, has been contributed by Tom Watson, president and founder of CauseWired, a US consulting firm advising...

TOGO Bishops – “… a bomb that may explode”

Agenzia Fides reports from Lomé (4 May 2017) the following statement from the Bishops of Togo: "The frustration of Togolese civil society is a bomb ready...

Zambia stands on the edge

“Our country is now all, except in designation, a dictatorship and if it is not yet, then we are not far from it. Our...

December 2016 Papal Missionary Intention

The December 2016 Missionary Intention of Pope Francis relates to the Europe: May the peoples of Europe rediscover the beauty, goodness, and truth of the...

Feast of St Patrick

Today cities, towns and villages throughout the country are crowded, many people wearing shamrock or badges and celebrating our National Day with parades, floats,...

Boko Haram target Niger – the world’s least developed country

There is evidence that the Boko Haram Islamist terror group is feeling the pressure of a concerted effort by the military of Nigeria, Cameroon...

Ghana – Uganda urge youth to stay at home

In a joint statement of the Episcopal Conference of Ghana and of the Christian Council of Ghana, issued at the conclusion of a meeting...

A Modern Olympic Story of courage and tragedy

At the end of her first qualifying heat in the women’s 200m race at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the defending Olympic champion, Jamaican...

Is South Africa’s Rainbow turning Black and White?

The Society of African Missions (SMA) involvement in South Africa is a commitment to helping the new South Africa emerge from the nightmare of its...

Conflict resolution in Kenya

For several years, the Shalom Center for Conflict Resolution & Reconciliation has been working to end the cycle of violence in the tribal lands of...

Living Laudato Si – SMA Summer School

The SMA Summer School was dedicated to celebrating the 1st anniversary of Pope Francis’s Encyclical Laudato Si. ‘Living Laudato Si – Its Theological, Spiritual and...

UNMIL’s last day in Liberia

30 June marked the last day of the United Nations Military presence in the small west African state of Liberia. With a population of 4.56...

OLA Sisters celebrate 25 years in Mwamapalala

OLA jubilance and joy were evident throughout the week leading up to Friday 13 May 2016. On that day twenty-five-years previously, Sisters Mairéad Hickey...

Building a better Africa and a better World

Africa Day is the official day of the African Union, which falls on 25 May annually. In Ireland Africa Day is celebrated on the...

UN official resigns over abuse allegations in CAR

There are few who would argue with the need for the United Nations which, since the end of the Second World War, has helped...

Global Catholic Climate Movement

The SMA Summer School 2016 is entitled: ‘Living Laudato Si’ and marks the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ revolutionary encyclical inviting us to become...

Migrants found dead in Niger Desert – abandoned by smugglers

On 16 June last, Agenzia Fides, the Information service of the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, reported on the deaths in Niger of 34 migrants...

Ghana’s “Sodom and Gomorrah”

To mark the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si, GLOBAL SISTERS REPORT, a project of the National Catholic Reporter, has begun a...

New SMA mission opens in Tanzania

The SMA team in Tanzania will open a new mission on the island of Ukara on Lake Victoria in November 2016. Travel to the island...

Welcoming the Stranger – Learning from the Developing World and Malta

In an Irish Examiner Opinion Piece (May 24, 2016) marking the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, the CEO of Oxfam Ireland, Jim Clarken, said...

President Higgins criticises ‘Empty Pledges’

In a speech delivered on the opening day of the UN Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul (23 May 2016), President Higgins criticized the Irish State’s...

Will you welcome the stranger?

The SMA pilgrimage to Knock next Saturday, 28 May, is challenging us to reflect on how we treat the strangers in our midst. We are...

Churches attacked in Tanzania

Over several months Tanzanian Christians – of different confessions – have been the victims of anti-Christian violence. This has seen the burning of churches...

Three new SMA deacons in Nairobi

Last Monday, 2 May 2016, the SMA Formation House in Nairobi celebrated the admission to Permanent membership in the Society of African Missions of Armand Mayumbu...

Murdered Sisters remembered

The Vatican News Agency - Agenzia Fides - reports that a Mass was celebrated on Saturday last, 16 April, in the Holy Family Basilica, Nairobi, to...

Divine Mercy Sunday – a thought

The name of God is mercy – this is the title that Pope Francis gave the letter he wrote announcing the Jubilee Year of...

St Patrick is about faith not commerce!

Today cities, towns and villages throughout the country are crowded, many people wearing shamrock or badges and celebrating our National Day with parades, floats,...

Cast out your nets into deeper water!

A two-day orientation workshop for SMA priests assigned to the South Africa Region was held at the SMA Regional House, Buffelsfontein on 11-12 February 2016.And so...

Taming your tongue!

St. Agnes Pray for us!   St Agnes Catholic Church, Ibex Hill, Lusaka, Zambia had a Nine day Novena from 12 - 20 January, 2016 from...

SMA Lay missionary drowned in Liberia

Beth Otting, an SMA Lay missionary, died tragically in Liberia on Friday, 29 January. Beth had only arrived in Liberia on 4 January. A fellow lay missionary...

World Leprosy Day 2016 – To live is to help to live

Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski, President of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care, has written a message for the 63rd World Leprosy Day, the theme...

Refugees unwelcome

According to the IRIN News and Information Service, refugees and migrants attempting to pass through the tiny village of Idomeni near Greece’s border with...

Kontagora Vicariate in 2016

 Kontagora CrisisThe Vicariate Apostolic of KontagoraBishop Timothy Carroll SMABorn: 20 April 1940 at Millstreet, Co Cork, IrelandPermanent member of SMA: 15 June 1965Ordained: 20...

SMA Parish launches Thumbprint campaign

During Advent 2015, St Joseph's SMA Parish in Wilton, Cork participated in the Thumbprint exercise being championed by the SMA Justice group - making...

Nigeria “is not a Christian country. It is not a Muslim country…”

"This is not a Christian country. It is not a Muslim country. There is no place here that belongs to Muslims or Christians, rich...

Merciful like the Father… Jubilee Year opens

  On 8 December we will begin an Extraordinary Jubilee Year – a Jubilee Year of Mercy. It is the first Jubilee Year which does...

SMA Parish Blackrock Road goes online with webcam

Following the installation of a webcam in St Joseph's SMA Parish Church, Blackrock Road, Cork, it is now possible for former parishioners to...

COApplication 2015

  Click here to read the Job description and Person specification for the SMA Communications Officer.   

Francis: pilgrim of peace and apostle of hope

When Pope Francis arrived at the International Airport in Bangui, among the welcoming party were two SMA bishops – Bishop Nestor-Désiré Nongo-Aziagbia SMA ...

Communications Officer application

JOB DESCRIPTION The Society of African Missions is an international Society of priests and brothers dedicated to the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus...

Shalom success in Kabira

The Shalom Center for Conflict Resolution & Reconciliation works to end the cycle of violence in the tribal lands of Eastern Africa.  To...

Witchcraft uncovered

Witchcraft is a fact of life in many parts of the world. In Zambia, Fr Tom Casey SMA - through the SMA Media Centre...

Pope Francis speaks to Paris Climate Conference

The Paris Climate Summit will go ahead despite the atrocities of Friday, 13 November, last. Pope Francis has, once again, addressed this issue and...

40 years in Nigeria and still going strong

Fr. Daniel Monaghan, SMA, recently marked 40 years in the priesthood, all of which was spent in Nigeria.Daniel (Danny) Monaghan was born on 24th...

Benin City mourns Monsignor Joseph P Omesa

The death has taken place at the UBTH  Benin City, Nigeria, of Monsignor Joseph P. Omesa, aged 67 years. Monsignor Omesa had been vigorously battling...

Forced evictions leave Nigerians homeless

According to the IRIN News Agency, more than a month after security forces chased some 15,000 Nigerians from their homes in Badia East, one of...

International Day of Prayer for Climate Justice

Sunday, 1 November, has been set aside as the International Day of Prayer for Climate Justice. Christians throughout the world will take part in...

Mission Sunday 2015

Sunday, 18 October 2015, is Mission Sunday when we are invited to pray for and show solidarity with all missionaries, our representatives throughout the...

Ebola orphans in Liberia abandoned

According to FIDES – a Vatican News Agency – more that 5,900 Liberian children lost one or both parents to Ebola. Some are with...

Despite setbacks Boko Haram continue to kill and destroy

In recent weeks the Boko Haram Islamist sect have come under increasing pressure from Nigerian and other military forces. Cameroon military foiled an attack...

Special Wilton Parish Assembly meeting

A special meeting of the Parish Assembly will gather with the new Parish Priest, Fr Michael O'Leary SMA, on Tuesday, 6 October 2015. It is...

Be good stewards of the manifold grace of God

Be good Stewards of the manifold grace of God We live in what Pope Francis has called a “throwaway culture.” Many people act as...

People die defending our environment

The international group Global Witness has reported that 116 persons, defenders of the environment, were murdered in 2014. This means that at least two...

CLIMATE CHANGE AND CLIMATE JUSTICE

CLIMATE CHANGE AND CLIMATE JUSTICE “Climate change is a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods....

SMA seminary celebrates 25 years

God of tenderness and love, you inspired Melchior de Marion Brésillac to found the Society of African Missions and in our own time inspired...

Eritrean refugees’ paintings of dangerous journeys

The Jesuit Refugee Services have mounted an exhibition by Eritrean young people of paintings depicting their visions, fears and memories of the dangerous...

Commissioning ceremony for departing Nigerian SMA priests

We took a nostalgic stroll down the corridors of recollection at SMA House, Abuja on Saturday morning last, the Feast of the Assumption, when...

Benedict Daswa, first martyr of South Africa, to be beatified on 13 September

According to Agenzia FIDES - the News Agency for the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples - the Church in South Africa is...

Privacy Policy

Society of African MissionsThank you for visiting the website of the Society of African Mission and reviewing our privacy policy. This policy applies only...

Playing the EU Asylum lottery

Fleeing war or persecution for the safety of Europe?Asylum seekers have not truly made it until their applications are approved, giving them the right...

Violence mars end of Ramadan

As Muslims throughout the world celebrated the end of Ramadan with the Eid al Fitr festival, the Nigerian Islamist group – Boko Haram –...

Niger: Boko Haram’s neglected crisis

Nigerian families first began seeking refuge in Niger in 2013, but Boko Haram-related violence in the region has spiked in recent months, causing the...

Boko Haram change tactics

A teenage girl strapped with explosives ran away from a crowded mosque this week, killing only herself and cementing suspicions that Boko Haram is...

600,000 refugees in Kenya

Though much is made of the thousands of refugees / economic migrants trying to reach Europe there are several African countries where people have...

World Refugee Day 2015

At the end of his general audience last Wednesday, held in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis launched the following appeal:"This coming Saturday marks World...

Boko Haram violence has killed more than 5,000 Catholics alone

A new report has revealed the scale of the suffering of Nigerian Catholics at the hands of Boko Haram militants, with 5,000 Catholics killed...

Growing humanitarian emergency due to Boko Haram violence

The Nigerian government’s focus on its war against the Boko Haram insurgency is obscuring a growing humanitarian emergency, according to an IRIN News Organisation...

Boko Haram has not gone away

Nigeria has a new President - Muhammadu Buhari - with a promise to return Nigeria to peace and stability. However, Boko Haram is continuing its reign of...

Faith and mission are linked – World Mission Message 2015

In his Message for Mission Sunday 2015 , Pope Francis states that “there is an inseparable bond between our faith and the poor”. The...
In the church

Fr Bill Kennedy SMA – Funeral rites

Prayers before removal from the SMA House, Wilton The remains of Fr Bill Kennedy were removed from the SMA House to the adjacent St Joseph's SMA...
Fr William Kennedy SMA

Fr Bill Kennedy goes to his eternal rest

"The one who had the greatest influence on me as a priest was Bishop Patrick J Kelly SMA. He made me aware, by...

I am Sorry

A few weeks ago almost 900 people were drowned in the Mediterranean Sea trying to get to Europe. 900 families and more, bereaved in...
kenya

Kenya Region 2015

SMA Kenya The SMA involvement in Kenya began in 1992 when the British Province undertook the administration of the Parish of St Joseph the...

Pressure of radical Islam financed from abroad is felt in Benin

Following their ad limina visit to the Rome to meet with Pope Francis the Secretary General of the Benin Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Pascal N’Koue...
Ivory Coast

120 years in the Ivory Coast

Less than 40 years after the foundation of the SMA by Bishop deBrésillac his successors established the first mission in the Ivory Coast,...

SMA statement on Mediterranean migrants

A Statement from the SMA General Council The General Council of the Society of African Missions (SMA) on behalf of its members and...

Sambisa forest under attack by armed forces

The Reuters News Agency is reporting that the Nigerian Armed forces backed by warplanes are attacking the infamous Boko Haram stronghold of the Sambisa...

Choose all that will bring life

Recently a friend working with refugees, told me “We are getting asylum seekers now from Syria and Iraq”.  The United Nations Refugee Agency reported...

One year on – Chibok school girls still missing

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos , in an interview with FIDES has said “it is worrying that we do not know anything about the...

Shalom Center condemns Garissa atrocity

The Shalom Center for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation issued a statement today expressing their shock and solidarity with the Kenyan people following the attacks...
DMcC Nigeria 2010

Fr Dan bids adieu after 44 years

Father Dan McCauley (SMA) is an Irish priest who will soon leave Nigeria after 44 years. He began his missionary work in Nigeria in...

Pope’s Letter to Nigeria published

Pope Francis has sent a Letter to the people and bishops of Nigeria assuring them of his closeness to them at this time. Although...

Twelve killed in suicide bomb attack in Maiduguri

  A suspected female suicide bomber killed at least 12 people on Tuesday in Maiduguri, capital of Nigeria's Borno state, military and hospital sources...

More than 600 granted asylum have no homes

More than 600 granted asylum have no homes An Irish Time’s article date 9 March 2015 reports that  successful asylum seekers  are caught in...
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St Parick – Immigrant and Saint

Each year on March 17, Irish people the world over celebrate the feast of St. Patrick.  His own life seems to fade out...

Children murdered by Boko Haram suicide bomber

Boko Haram continued its deadly campaign in north eastern Nigeria with a female suicide bomber taking at least 20 lives in an attack on...

A growing feeling on anti-Christianity in Niger

The FIDES News Agency, quoting an Italian SMA priest, says that there is a growing sense of anti-Christianity in Niger following attacks on Christian...

Overcoming Frontiers

January 2015 has seen little easing of violence in the world at large. And not just “far away”. Not many weeks ago there was...

A light against human trafficking

Cardinal Peter Turkson spoke at a Vatican Press Conference to draw attention to the first International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human...

Niger bishops reaffirm their friendship with the Muslim community

Despite the anti-Christian violence which has seen dozens of Christian properties, including Catholic churches, attacked or destroyed in the Niger Republic the two Nigerien...

Nigerian lives matter as much as French ones

The IRIN News Agency reports on the controversy which has erupted following the Boko Haram attack on Baga, a town in the north-east of...

Who is going to rid us of Boko Haram?

The world was rightly outraged at the unjustified murder of journalists, police personnel and innocent people in Paris last week. But, in the same...

Would I, be prepared to give them shelter?

Would I be prepared to give them shelter?We have begun a new year: 2015. What will we celebrate and what will we hope for?...
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The challenge for the church in South Africa

On 26 October 2014 the Montana community hosted an International Day to support the work of the SMA in Africa. They also took the opportunity...
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Archbishop on pastoral visit to St Simon’s

On 6th and 7th December 2014, , His Grace Archbishop Matthew Man-oso Ndagoso of Kaduna, paid a pastoral visit to St. Simon’s parish, Mariban Rido, on the outskirts...

Direct provision needs ‘urgent action’, say Catholic bishops

Direct provision needs ‘urgent action’, say Catholic bishops Irish Times 11th December: Bishops have appealed for urgent action by the Government to address the...

May it be a “Happy Christmas” for everyone.

In the midst of the deafening roar of pre- Christmas shopping: “Black Friday”, “Cyber Monday”, cut-price temptations everywhere, it is very hard to perceive...
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The Jewel in the Triple Crown

During a recent (August, 1994) visit to Zambia I had the unexpected pleasure of meeting the finest rugby player Ireland has ever produced. Earlier...

Relief aid for Ebola vicitims in Sierra Leone

The Society of African Missions (SMA) was founded in Lyons, France in 1856 by Bishop Marion deBrésillac with the aim of evangelizing Africa and...

Relief aid needed for Ebola victims in Kwama

The Society of African Missions (SMA) was founded in Lyons, France in 1856 by Bishop Marion deBrésillac with the aim of evangelizing Africa and...

Mosque attack shows Boko Haram attacks Muslims too

FIDES, the News Agency for the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, reports that Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama has said that "Boko Haram attacks...
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Fr Monaghan appointed Vicar General

Archbishop Matthew Man-oso Ndagoso of Kaduna Archdiocese in Nigeria has appointed SMA Father Mark Monaghan to serve as one of his Vicars General. As...

Evangelise cultures to inculturate the Gospel

Once every five years the different Bishops Conferences from around the world visit the Pope to give an account of their stewardship and to...
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Montana celebrates unity in diversity

Fr Michael O’Leary, an SMA from Cork City, was ordained in 1978. His first appointment was to Monrovia, Liberia and later he moved along...

Boko Haram continue their advance

With the continuing focus on the Ebola virus in west Africa there is a danger that people will forget that the people of northern...

Manual on Economic Justice now available

AEFJN has produced a manual for JPIC groups and other groups working on issues of economic justice. The AEFJN Irish Antenna also made...

Fr Dan Murphy SMA – funeral homily

Fr Michael McCabe, SMA Provincial Leader, preached at the Funeral Mass for Fr Dan Murphy SMA which took place a St Joseph's SMA Church,...
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Walk in their Shoes

Walk in their Shoes Official Ireland has always regarded immigrants and asylum seekers as problems. That is why legislation emanating from the Department of...

Niger bishops greet Muslim community

The three Catholic Bishops in Niger – Archbishop Michel Cartatéguy SMA of Niamey, Bishop Ambroise Ouédraogo of Maradi diocese and the Auxiliary bishop of...
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Proclaiming the Good News

For most of his 50 years as a missionary Fr Michael McGrath has worked in Kaduna, Nigeria. His primary interest has been in catechetics:...

Pope Francis prays for CAR UN peacekeepers

Following the recitation of the Angelus at noon on Sunday, 14 September, Pope Francis spoke about the UN Peacekeeping Mission which begins on...

We are not powerless to begin in the process of global healing

We are not powerless to begin in the process of global healing The story of refugees throughout the world in the 21st century is not...
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A Zambian missionary in Nigeria

Fr. Ignatius Malwa, SMA was born in Kabwe, Zambia in 1980, the fifth of seven children. It is also the location of the...

Boko Haram trying to conquer territory

In a statement released by Agenzia Fides - the News Agency of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples - the Archbishop of Lagos, Most...

Ebola forces restrictions on parish life in Liberia

Fr Garry Jenkins SMA, from the south of England, has spent more than 40 years as a missionary in Liberia. He has lived through...

Central African Republic 2014

Area: 623,000 sq. km. Population: est. 5,277,000.Population Growth Rate: 2.13% CapitalBangui (est. 750,000) Head of State Catherine Samba-Panza Independence13 August 1960...

Catholic hospital Director dies in Liberia from Ebola

Agenzia Fides - the News Agency for the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples - has reported the death of Brother Patrick Nshamdze, OH, Director...
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Cork Christians Invited to celebration marking the Last Friday of Ramadan

Cork Christians Invited to celebration marking the Last Friday of RamadanThe SMA Justice Office was happy to help facilitate the invitation extended by Sheikh...

HOPE FOR CHANGE AT LAST ?

HOPE FOR CHANGE AT LAST ?Direct provision has been consistently challenged by activists, politicians and human rights lawyers by advocacy and in the courts...