by Pierre-Paul Anani Dossekpli

A New Mission Inaugurated in the Diocese of Tenkodogo

Sunday, 15 February 2026, will remain an important date in the missionary history of the Society of African Missions (SMA). On that day, the SMA officially inaugurated its new mission in the Diocese of Tenkodogo, Burkina Faso.

The celebration took place in the presence of Bishop David Koudougou of Tenkodogo, leaders of the SMA Province of Côte d’Ivoire, numerous local authorities, Catholic faithful, and representatives of other religious denominations.

The mission has been entrusted to Fr. Bruno Ouédraogo from Burkina Faso and Fr. Junior Biro from the Central African Republic. They now assume responsibility for Saint Peter the Apostle Parish of Ouaregou-Komtoega, called to become a place of communion, listening, and missionary dynamism.

A Presence Rooted in History

If Burkina Faso welcomes the SMA “once again,” it is because this presence is rooted in an earlier history. According to the Archives of the Society of African Missions preserved in Rome (Italy), in 1936, Fr. Chazal volunteered to help found Mango in northern Togo. On 8 December 1936, he was sent further north, within the Apostolic Vicariate of Dahomey, to establish Fada-N’Gourma, now part of Burkina Faso.

In December 1946, he handed that mission over to the Redemptorist Fathers before founding Tanguiéta in northern Dahomey. Thus, long before the current official reopening, the SMA had already contributed to the early missionary efforts in this region. The mission inaugurated today continues in the same legacy rooted in history and charism.

A Long Discernment Toward Establishment

The opening of this mission is also the fruit of a gradual process of discernment.

In 2008, during the ordination of the first Burkinabè SMA priest, Fr. Michel Sawadogo, Bishop François Gnonhossou — now Bishop of Dassa-Zoumé in the Republic of Benin and at that time responsible for the SMA in Africa — met with the Bishop of Ouahigouya to consider the possibility of establishing the Society in Burkina Faso.

Today, Fr. Michel Sawadogo continues his missionary commitment as head of the Shalom Network, based in Côte d’Ivoire.

Burkina Faso now counts eight Burkinabè missionaries serving within the SMA in various countries across Africa and beyond.

Interreligious Fraternity: A Strong Message for Today

Bishop David Koudougou also welcomed the strong presence of the Muslim community at the celebration. He invited Christians and Muslims alike to cultivate a sincere fraternity grounded in respect, closeness, and the pursuit of the common good.

In the current context of Burkina Faso, this message carries particular weight. It reminds us that faith, when lived as service and encounter, can become a space of renewal — a path toward inner transformation, peaceful coexistence, and resistance to forces of division.

Shared Joy and Renewed Hope

Bishop François Gnonhossou expressed his joy at this development, highlighting the strength of faith in Burkina Faso and the generosity of its vocations.

Fr. Fabien Sognon also shared his joy: “The SMA had recruited Burkinabè missionaries without having a presence in Burkina Faso. Today, that presence becomes a reality. It is a sign of hope and solidarity.”

He encouraged the pastors to listen before building and to serve as bridges in the present context.

A Mission for Today

In a country facing significant security and social challenges, the opening of a mission is an act of faith and trust in Providence.

May this missionary presence bear fruit, inspire new vocations, and contribute to the growth of the local Church and to the universal mission of the Church.