Africa

Oblates from France first landed in South Africa on March 19, 1852 after a rough sea travel of four months. Today, 150 years later, Oblates have established and thriving missions in many countries of Africa, serving as Parish priests, administering schools, health clinics, hospitals, orphanages and working in prison ministry.

Missionary Oblates in Sub Saharan Africa are organized in provinces and mission centers. Oblates in Southern Africa work in South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. In West Africa Oblates have missions in Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad. The Oblates also have a significant presence in Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola and Kenya.

Oblates have had a major presence in South Africa from the beginning. During the Apartheid period, Oblates stood with the people against an unjust system. Denis Hurley OMI, Archbishop emeritus of Durban in South Africa was noted for his efforts to rally Catholics against apartheid.

Oblates in Africa work for social justice - in parishes and through retreat houses. Some Oblates are engaged in primary and tertiary education; others work as chaplains and in media. Oblates promote conflict resolution especially in nations emerging from violent conflicts. The urgency of the HIV/AIDS pandemic has led many Oblate units in Africa to develop programs responding to the crisis. Today, Sub-Saharan Africa is one the fastest growing regions for Oblate membership.

Oblate involvement in Justice & Peace issues is particularly prominent in:

• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Kenya
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Southern Africa
  

Informational resources about this region include:

• Paying the Price

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