The Catholic Diocese of Ondo celebrated 100 years of Catholicism (1916-2016) early this year 2017. Among the activities of the celebrations was an award giving ceremony to Missionary groups that worked in the diocese.

The Society of African Mission (SMA) was one of the recipient.

The celebration of the award ceremony kicked off with a solemn Mass presided by Bishop Jude Ayodeji Arogundade of Ondo diocese. He was assisted by Bishop Alonge, emeritus of Ondo diocese. Present also were many priests, religious and lay faithful. In His homily the vicar general Fr. Adequate Ojo thanked and praised the early missionaries for their contribution, despite the harsh weather and an entirely different diet they met on the ground. He said, they continued coming and preaching the word of God despite all this.

It would be recall that the first Bishop of Ondo diocese was an SMA priest, Bishop William Field, SMA who died some years back. We salute the early SMA missionaries that planted the seed of faith, watered it and nurtured it to grow. The relay baton is passed on to us.

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The Society of African Mission contributed a lot to the growth of the diocese. At present the SMA priests are working at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus parish in Akure, the capital city of Ondo State.

The SMA looks forward to a greater collaboration with the diocese and prays for growth in all area of ramification. On the occasion of this special recognition of the Society’s contribution to the growth of the diocese, the Society of African Missions encourages its members to give their best in their various missions and congratudalates all who have worked in Ondo diocese at any point of the diocese’s history.

Fr. Christopher Emokare, SMA