News & Resources

Sierra Leone
JPIC Newsletter nº 4, April 2017
Spiritan Justice, Peace, Integrity of Creation and InterReligious Dialogue - INTEGRATING PEACEBUILDING IN SPIRITAN MISSION - PEACEBUILDING ECHOES FROM SOUTH SUDAN - A SMALL PEACBUILDING PROJECT IN SIERRA LEONE -…
April 1, 2017
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Sierra Leone
Fr. Felim McAllister (Ireland) is killed in an ambush at Panguma at the age of 53. He had been appointed to Sierra Leone in 1968 and served the refugee people…
March 12, 1994
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Sierra Leone
Archbishop Brosnahan retires at the age of seventy-five after fifty years in Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Bishop Ganda of the Diocese of Kenema is transferred to the Archdiocese of Freetown…
November 2, 1980
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West African Foundation
Six Superiors of West African circumscriptions establish the Foundation at Dakar Senegal: the Superiors of The Gambia, Senegal, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Makurdi and Kwara-Benue. Fr. John Hogan (Irish Province) is…
April 25, 1979
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Sierra Leone
A Senior Seminary is set up in Gbarnga, Liberia, for the training of future priests from Sierra Leone, the Gambia and Liberia. Spiritans are associated with the seminary. Later, during…
October 26, 1974
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Sierra Leone
As Sierra Leone gains Independence from the United Kingdom, Catholics are 1% of the population. Joseph Ganda is ordained a priest in Bo - the first Sierra Leonean to become…
June 22, 1961
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Sierra Leone
Fr Thomas Brosnahan from Nigeria and Ireland is appointed the first residential Bishop of Freetown and Bo. He undertakes a major campaign in the expansion of primary and secondary schools.…
February 8, 1953
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Sierra Leone
Bishop Ambrose Kelly is the first Spiritan Bishop to die in Sierra Leone; he is buried in Free-town.
July 29, 1952
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Sierra Leone
Bishop Ambrose Kelly welcomes the Xaverian Fathers from Italy into his diocese; they are given the care of the Northern Province, centered on Makeni.
June 14, 1951
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Sierra Leone
The Holy Year. Many West Africans go on pilgrimage to Rome. Pope Pius XII announces the creation of the hierarchy of West Africa. Sierra Leone is made into a diocese,…
June 13, 1950
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Sierra Leone
Fr Edward Hamelberg, who is a Creole from Freetown of mixed Austrian and Mende roots, becomes the first Sierra Leonean priest and Spiritan. He studies at Chevilly and is ordained…
May 14, 1940
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Sierra Leone
During the Second World War, Freetown harbour became a huge centre for the Royal Navy and there were also many army camps near the town. Bishop Kelly received no extra…
April 19, 1940
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Sierra Leone
Bishop John Wilson, Vicar Apostolic of Bagamoyo, is appointed to succeed Bishop O'Gorman in Sierra Leone. He is already in poor health and only spends two years in the country.…
May 17, 1933
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Sierra Leone
Bishop O'Gorman resigns and dies in Switzerland in 1935.
April 28, 1932
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United Kingdom
Fr Harry Parkinson is the first English Spiritan to leave for West Africa. In the next 20 years, he will be followed to Sierra Leone by 20 more confreres from…
November 5, 1925
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Sierra Leone
St. Edward's Secondary School is opened and blessed by Bishop O'Gorman. It becomes one of the great schools of the country, both academically and on the sports field.
March 8, 1922
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Sierra Leone
Fr. John O'Gorman is appointed Vicar Apostolic of Sierra Leone after the death of Fr. James Browne in April and is consecrated in October in the USA. He is the…
September 14, 1903
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USA
Br. Philippus Lafferty becomes the first U.S.-born Spiritan to sail for Africa. Stationed in Sierra Leone, he dies four years later.
October 3, 1900
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Sierra Leone
Fr James Browne, who was a delegate at the General Chapter in Paris in 1892, is appointed to succeed Fr. Blanchet as Vicar Apostolic of Sierra-Leone. A remarkably apostolic man,…
March 5, 1893
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Sierra Leone
Père Blanchet brings the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny to the town of Bonthe, some 50 miles south of Freetown in the creeks. It is the first station outside…
April 10, 1889
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Sierra Leone
The Mission continues to grow under the energetic care of Père Blanchet. The turnover of missionaries is the highest in the Congregation: the average length of service there is five…
April 9, 1875
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Sierra Leone
Two Spiritan Brothers take charge of St Edward's School which houses 130 pupils. Fr Blanchet leaves Freetown for Senegal, but later returns as Pro-Vicar of the Church in Sierra Leone;…
March 6, 1867
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Ireland
The first two Irish Spiritans are ordained to the priesthood: Fr Thomas Bracken is appointed to Sierra Leone and Fr William Power to Chandernagor in India.
August 26, 1866
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Sierra Leone
St Edward's Primary School is opened in Freetown. "Edward" is Father Blanchet's Christian name and it becomes very popular. He is looked upon as the Founder of the Church in…
February 18, 1866
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Sierra Leone
Frs Blanchet and Koeberle arrive in Free-town. This is the start of the new mission and of the Sacred Heart Parish which is still an active parish today.
January 28, 1864
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Sierra Leone
The Vicariate Apostolic is restored to the Congregation. It is made up of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. Bishop Kobes is placed in charge after the death of Mgr de…
January 8, 1860
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Sierra Leone
Mgr. de Bresillac and the first five members of the Society of African Missions arrive in Freetown. Within six months, all are dead. They are buried in the Circular Road…
January 4, 1859
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Liberia
The American Hierarchy are concerned about the liberated slaves in Liberia and Sierra Leone. They send Monsignor Barron, Fr Kelly and a catechist, James Pindar, to investigate.
February 15, 1844
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