By Pierre-Paul Anani Dossekpli

Nigerian bishops visiting the SMA Generalate expressed gratitude for the missionary legacy that helped shape the Church in their country and encouraged younger missionaries to continue the mission with humility.

“Keep that humility of service and be ready to go anywhere.”

With these words, Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Bishop of Kontagora Diocese in Nigeria, addressed young missionaries of the Society of African Missions (SMA) during a visit to the SMA Generalate in Rome on March 13, 2026.

Quoting an African proverb, the bishop reminded the missionaries of the importance of remaining rooted in their history:

“The river that forgets its source will surely dry up.”

The visit marked the second group of Nigerian bishops welcomed at the SMA house this month. They were jointly received by the General Councils of the Society of African Missions and the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA).

Gratitude for the Missionary Legacy

Several bishops used the occasion to express deep gratitude for the role played by the SMA in the growth of the Church in Nigeria.

“The SMA has been everything to me,” Bishop Bulus said. He encouraged the younger generation of missionaries to build on the legacy of the first missionaries, “who left everything to bring the Gospel to Africa.”

Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Abuja also highlighted the significance of the encounter.

“It is a great pleasure to connect with those who brought the Gospel to us,” he said.

For Bishop William Avenya of Gboko Diocese in Benue State, the visit carried a personal dimension.

“It is like being away from home,” he said, recalling how the SMA had once welcomed him to pursue his studies in England.

A Personal Connection to the SMA

Bishop Martin Igwemezie Uzoukwu, Bishop of Minna Diocese, also shared his personal story. He described himself as a spiritual son of Bishop William Mahony, SMA (1919–1994), the Irish missionary who ordained him a priest and later became the first Catholic Bishop of Ilorin in Nigeria.

“May God bless the SMA who saw me through,” Bishop Uzoukwu said with gratitude.

The sense of appreciation was widely shared among the bishops, reflecting the deep historical ties between the Nigerian Church and the missionaries who helped establish it.

Renewing the Mission

Addressing the bishops, Fr. François du Penhoat, Superior General of the Society of African Missions, reaffirmed the Society’s commitment to its missionary vocation.

“We reiterate our commitment to uphold the values handed on to us and to contribute, in our modest way, to the building of the Kingdom of God,” he said.

Fr. Damian, Vice Superior General of the SMA, described the meeting as both encouraging and humbling.

“It is wonderful to meet such down-to-earth men, full of joy, simplicity, and brotherly care for one another,” he said.

Sr. Mary T. Barron, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, emphasized the importance of continuing collaboration.

“The relationship we strengthen here today will help shape the future of the mission in Nigeria,” she said.

The encounter served as a reminder of the enduring bond between missionaries and the local Church in Nigeria—a relationship rooted in history and renewed through shared commitment to the Gospel.