The SMA was founded in 1856 by the Venerable Melchior de Marion Brésillac Mission Sunday Supplement
The Society of African Missions (SMA) is an international organisation with over seven hundred and sixty members, three hundred and twenty seminarians and has a presence in sixteen African countries. While the African membership of the SMA is increasing, in Europe and Ireland it is declining. Nevertheless, there are still Irish SMA Missionaries working in Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, Liberia and South Africa. They are involved in pastoral work, priestly formation and the promotion of justice and peace.
Here in Ireland, the mission of the SMA also continues, through pastoral involvement in parishes, its retreat centre in Dromantine, Co. Down and though collaborative work promoting justice, peace and care for the earth. Another important role is supporting and funding the growth of the newer, SMA Provinces, Districts and Delegations, the education of SMA Seminarians and Development and Pastoral Projects run by SMA’s in Africa.
A newly constructed building near Lake Victoria in the city of Mwanza, Tanzania, houses the Tanga Project. “Tanga” means “sail” in Swahili. It aims to create a real home – not an institution – a place with a family spirit in which fourteen boys and girls, affected by albinism, not only find a safe home, quality education and good living conditions, but also the love of a community that welcomes these vulnerable young people and children.
Increasing violence
Father Janusz Machota, a Polish SMA priest, reports that violence against Albino people is increasing. “There have been numerous attacks against them. Some have been maimed or even killed. These attacks are fuelled by a monstrous belief that use of an albino’s organs in witchcraft rituals will bring good luck in business or even electoral success”.
The priority of the project is to help these vulnerable and marginalized children. They not only struggle with the terrible ideology and aggression towards them, but also with many health problems such as vision impairment and, most dangerous of all, a high risk of skin cancer, which is exacerbated by the strong African sun. People with albinism generally have fewer opportunities to get a good education and a job. Many of them will never start a family of their own.
Tanga not only hosts this group of disadvantaged youth, it also seeks their full protection and integration into Tanzanian society. To do so, it wants to be involved in a process that addresses the causes of their exclusion from society and the violence directed against them, in order to find concrete solutions and to bring about real changes in their lives. “There are certainly difficult tasks ahead of us,” concludes Father Machota, “but building a real family is more important than the construction work and fundraising. The sailing ship named Tanga embarks on the voyage of a lifetime, from the port of Mwanza towards unlimited horizons to bring these children and young people to the realization of their potential and dreams”. This project is a truly Christian response, one which respects and protects the human dignity at the core of Catholic Social Teaching and that challenges the injustice of trafficking of persons for human organs.
Human trafficking
For the SMA in Ireland, challenging Human Trafficking is one of three justice areas it has chosen to prioritize. The other two are advocacy on behalf of Africa and people of African descent and Promoting Care for Creation. The SMA recognises the importance of giving witness to Gospel values through our lifestyle, the choices we make and through public advocacy and action for justice. It will particularly do so in relation to these three areas, as we believe that this approach will allow us to make the best use of the skills, strength and resources currently at our disposal. At the same time, focusing on these areas will allow us to remain faithful to the vision of the SMA founder, the Venerable Melchior de Marion Brésillac and to his commitment to bring the Good News to Africans and to the most abandoned. In order to be as effective as possible in continuing this mission and to making a real contribution in these priority areas the SMA works in partnership with the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles and is also open to a collaboration with other congregations and likeminded civil society groups.