‘White Fathers’ mark 150 years of Christianizing Africa

Kampala diocese Archbishop, Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija, the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Luigi Bianco the main celebrant and other clergy pose for a photo with bishops during the 150 years celebration at Namugongo Martyrs Shrine. Photo by John Semakula.

KAMAPALA, Uganda — Hundreds of missionaries belonging to the Roman Catholic societies called the White Fathers and White Sisters – named for their white robes – braved the cold on Dec. 8 to participate in a special mass commemorating 150 years of Africa’s Christianization.

The missionaries from different parts of the world gathered at Namugongo Martyrs Shrine in Wakiso District, Uganda, waving different flags representing both the Catholic Church and their countries of origin during the mass.

The society was founded in North Africa in 1868 (and the White Sisters in 1869) by the archbishop of Algiers Charles-Martial-Allemand Lavigerie, with its first missions in northern Algeria. Lavigerie, a French prelate, was a strong campaigner against slavery in Europe and wanted African Christians to lead the campaign against slavery.

In 1878, the White Fathers founded the first Catholic missions in the Rift Valley lakes region of East Africa despite the great physical suffering, diseases and persecution. In 1895, the mission’s activities extended to West Africa.   

The chief celebrant of Sunday’s mass was the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda Luigi Bianco. He said the anniversary offers a good example and inspiration that nobody is excluded from the church’s mission.

“Even Pope Francis invites the church to rediscover its fruitfulness in the joy of mission and to be the witness of the love of God for everyone,” Bianco said.

Bianco also noted that the celebration was a moment to thank God for many missionaries, fathers, brothers and sisters, who dedicated their lives to introducing people to Jesus in Africa and other continents.

The two societies are also revered in Africa for building schools and hospitals, which continue to offer services to people.

Key church dignitaries who attended the mass included the superior general of the White Fathers, Fr. Stanley Lubungo, the Archbishop of Kampala Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, and the Provincial Superior of Eastern Africa province, Fr. Aloysius Ssekamatte.

History of the ‘White Fathers’ in Uganda

Two White Fathers, Fr. Simon Lourdel and Bro. Delmas Aman, brought Christianity to Uganda in 1879.

The country is considered pivotal in spreading Christianity across Africa. Between 1885 and 1887, 45 royal servants were ordered to be executed by the king of the Buganda Kingdom for their faith, seen as a threat to loyalty to the king. They were speared to death before their bodies were bundled in piles of dry firewood and set ablaze.

“When I consider the abundant fruits of the missionaries, I am prompted to ponder a number of questions,” the Archbishop of Kampala Cyprian Kizito Lwanga told those gathered at the mass. “For instance, where would we be if you were not founded? How would Africa be without your missionary activities and commitment? How would Uganda be without the Miracle of Uganda Martyrs?”

Each year on June 3, Christians from different parts of the world gather at a shrine to the martyrs to remember the men who sacrificed their lives in the name of God, refusing to renounce their faith. Believers pray to the martyrs at the shrine for blessings.

During Sunday’s mass, the missionaries honored the Uganda Martyrs, perceived by many as strengthening the faith of African missionaries to endure persecution.

“We thank God for the Uganda Martyrs and for the joy many men and women and children who on this continent have given their lives to Christ and for others,” said Sr. Carmen Sammut, the superior general of the missionary sisters of Our Lady of Africa.

The head of the Catholic laity in Uganda, Gervase Ndyanabo said the laity should think about the sacrifices the missionaries made.

“We join the rest in praising God for them,” Ndyanabo said. “We shall forever be grateful to God for the true joy we were given through them.”

Before Christianity came to Africa, people believed in small gods whom they appeased sometimes with human sacrifices. Some communities also killed newborn twins because they were considered curses, and women who conceived outside marriage were also sometimes drowned. The missionaries said with the introduction of Christianity, these practices became less common.