Fr. Renzo Mandirola of the Society of African Missions – Italian Province has successfully published a significant new book on Fr. Francesco Borghero, SMA. This comprehensive volume, spanning around 800 pages, compiles all the writings of Fr. Borghero from his time in Africa (1861-1865), offering scholars invaluable first-hand documents on various West African countries and the challenges faced by a nascent missionary institute.

“I am pleased to have succeeded in publishing this important volume, which brings together all the writings of Father Francesco Borghero, SMA, from the period when he was in Africa (1861-1865),” Fr. Mandirola remarked.

Fr. Francesco Borghero (1830-1892), a devoted member of the Society of African Missions, played a crucial role in establishing the Catholic Church across the vast Vicariate of Dahomey. His extensive travels and dedication to his mission from the River Volta to the River Niger laid the foundation for the Church in this region. Upon his death, his contributions were lauded in the Annales de la Propagation de la Foi for their detailed and heartfelt accounts of his apostolate on the Slave Coast and in Dahomey, serving as primary sources for scholars and publicists in France, Italy, and England.

Fr. Borghero’s extensive correspondence and reports provide rich insights into his life and work. They detail his arduous journeys, interactions with diverse peoples, and the complexities of his relations with local political and religious authorities. His writings also describe his challenges with the emerging European colonial powers in the Gulf of Guinea, his construction projects, the frequent illnesses and deaths among his confreres, and his missionary methods, which emphasized evangelical principles through the care of the sick and the education of children. His candid reflections and questions highlight his efforts to navigate and respond to the new realities he encountered.

This publication is a valuable addition to historical scholarship, shedding light on the early missionary efforts in West Africa and the enduring legacy of Fr. Francesco Borghero.