Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Freetown (Agenzia Fides)- Catholics in Sierra Leone are commemorating Bishop Melchior de Marion de Brésillac, the country's Vicar Apostolic, who died 150 years ago. On the occasion of the anniversary Italian Xaverian missionary Fr. Gerardo Caglioni, an expert in the history of the Catholic Church in Sierra Leone, sent Fides the following contribution.
On 3 November 1858, the first three missionaries of the Society for African Missions (SMA) set out from Lyons to start the Vicariate of Sierra Leone. They arrived on 12 January 1859. Their names were, Father Louis Reymond, Father Jean-Baptist Bresson and Brother Eugene Reynaud.
A few months later, the founder himself of the missionary congregation, Mgr Melchior de Marion de Brésillac, newly appointed Vicar Apostolic of Sierra Leone, arrived in Freetown accompanied by Fr Luois Riocreux and Brother Gratien.
When the three missionaries arrived in the port of Freetown, a tremendous epidemic of yellow fever was raging. Fr. de Brésillac, warned by the captain of the ship, Danae, not to expose himself to the danger of certain death, exclaimed: “I am in my Diocese. Shall I not share the plight of my children?”
A few weeks after their arrival in Sierra Leone, five of the six missionaries fell on the field, whereas on 20 June, aboard La Dialmath a French ship of Captain Vallon, Fr. Eugène departed from Sierra Leone. Mgr. Marion de Brésillac died at the age of 46 at 1.20pm on 25 June, 1859.
Since that historic moment 150 years have passed (25 June 1859 -25 June 2009). The Catholic Church in Sierra Leone intends to recall - with a solemn commemoration - that sacrifice which in some way, marked the beginning of the modern Church of Sierra Leone. That sacrifice of foreign missionaries we can say with Tertulian, was seed for numerous new Christians and flourishing and conscious Christian communities.
Today the Catholic Church in Sierra Leone is organised in three dioceses (and others will soon follow). The local clergy continues to grow, well nourished by the local major seminary where the country's future shepherds of the flock are prepared. The hierarchy is nearly all African and men and women religious slowly but surely render themselves present in the different fields of Church life. Lay Catholics are increasingly aware of their responsibilities and the duty to make their voices heard in the different aspects of Christian life.
On 25 June, in Freetown, to mark the 150th anniversary of the death of Brésillac, the local Church has organised solemn celebrations with the participation of the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop George Antonysamy, the three residential Bishops: the Archbishop of Freetown and Bo, Mgr Edward T. Charles, the Bishop of Makeni, Mgr Giorgio Biguzzi, the Bishop of Kenema, Mgr Patrick D. Koroma, and Archbishop emeritus Mgr. Joseph H. Ganda. Also present for the celebrations, representatives of the S.M.A., founded by Marion de Brésillac, with Mgr. Jean Bonfils, emeritus Bishop of Nice and other leading members of the Congregation and of civil and political life.
After the celebration of the Eucharist, at the church nearest to Circular Road Cemetery, St. Anthony's in Brookfields, the participants, confreres of S.M.A., representatives of the local Church and the local civil authorities will pay a visit to the cemetery to pay tribute at the tomb where Mgr. Marion Brésillac and his four confreres were laid to rest over 100 years ago.
Some years ago the confreres took the earthly remains of the five men, as precious relics, back to the Mother House in Lyons, France.
May this commemoration of the sacrifice of men of the past, totally dedicated to missions even to the point of giving their lives, increase missionary awareness and commitment among the Catholics of Sierra Leone today. (L.M. G.C.) (Agenzia Fides 23/6/2009 righe 46 parole 605)
