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The writer of this glimpse of day-to-day life in Nigeria in the early 1920s was Fr P J Kelly SMA from the Diocese of Clonfert, Co Galway. He was born in August 1894 and ordained priest in June 1921. He was assigned to the Vicariate of Western Nigeria, and his first posting was to Aragba Mission, in the Delta area. After time he was sent to Eku, a new mission station, where he ministered until 1926. He later ministered in Sapele and Warri. In June 1939 he was appointed Vicar Apostolic of another jurisdiction (the Vicariate of the Bight of Benin) with headquarters in Benin City. In 1950 it was erected into the Diocese of Benin City. Bishop Kelly retired in 1973 after 34 years as Bishop to be succeeded by Bishop Patrick Ekpu. He took up residence in SMA House, Wilton, Cork until 1985 and then transferred to SMA House, Blackrock Road, Cork. He died on 18 August 1991, aged 96.
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Thanks to Fr High Harkin SMA for providing the information that allows us to present these paragraphs that were first published 100 years ago, in the African Missionary Magazine of July-August 1925.
Under the title, “From Day to Day”, the editor of the time, Fr John F Lupton SMA, introduced this short piece written by the young, but clearly wise Fr Kelly stating:
“Rev Fr PJ Kelly gives us a glimpse into the Missionary’s day-to-day life in W. Nigeria in the following:”
I am sure you would like to know how I am faring out here in Eku. Well, the health is all right, thank God. And that means a good deal. Of course, there are always a few small fevers from time to time, but they only put a person out of form for a day or two at the time.”
“Then, as regards the flock, to look after them is the art of arts. If you insist on too many principles, they will find things to hard and fall away; while if you insist on none, it will be hard to draw the line between the Christian and the Pagan standards of morality.”
“The big drawback here is the fact that as yet we are but feeling our way. There is no tradition as in the older Mission Stations, and, above all, not Christian public opinion. To establish any good customs among them – those customs that are practically necessary to preserve a little Christian community in the midst of the Pagan surroundings – is very difficult. Hence it is that patience and perseverance are most essential to the Missionary. He must keep on day after day, always remembering that Pagan traditions, with the devil himself in the background, are up against him.
