Sierra Leone
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Population: 4.4 million
Life expectancy male/female: 33/36 years
Infant mortality rate: 195‰ |
Religions: Muslim 75%; Animists 15%; Christians
10%
Independence: 27 April 1961 (from Great Britain)
GDP per capita: US$ 180 (1995) |
Spiritan Presence: since 1864; 10 professed members - 1
bishop; 8 priests; 1 scholastic.
History
The Spiritans have worked in this country since 1864. They have
been involved in education, parish ministry, pastoral centre, formation
of priests and catechists and lay leaders.
The country has been devastated by a very bloody civil war since
1991 which has brought a lot of untold suffering for the people
especially after the overthrow of a democratically elected government
in May 1997. This has attracted economic sanctions and blockade
from the rest of the world. The war has cost a lot of lives including
that one of the Irish confreres, Felim McAllister. Almost one third
of the population has been displaced as refugees.
Statistics
· Although the number of Catholics is estimated to be 3%
of the overall population of 4 million people, the catholic church
has great influence and respect in the country. This has been brought
about through the many catholic schools which were set up by the
Spiritans many of which have now been destroyed by the civil war.
· The main source of personnel for the District has been
Ireland. There have also been confreres from the English Province.
The future hope of the District now lies on WAF.
In the space of 9 years (1988-1997) the District has lost 33 confreres.
· In 1994 they were 26, 21 from Ireland, two from the English
Province 3 from WAF.
· Presently they are 10 (5 Irish, 1 Bishop + 4 priests; 5
WAF, 4 priests + 1 scholar.).
· There has been steady growth of the local clergy (up to
40) in the last years. Most of the responsibility has gradually
been handed over to them. This transfer can sometimes result in
tension, but relations between them and the Spiritans are in general
quite good.
Community life
Presently most of the confreres are living on their own. Because
of the insecurity on the roads it has not always been possible to
visit the confreres or hold group retreats and meetings. Like the
rest of the people in the country, the confreres are going through
difficult times as a result of the stress and pressure of the war
situation.
Mission engagements
Confreres continue to do their ministry in very precarious circumstances.
The ministry includes:
· relief work;
· rehabilitation of child combatants;
· parish work;
· education - teaching /chaplaincy work in the Teachers Training
College.
The Future
It is hoped that WAF will invest more personnel
in the District in the future when things settle down. The following
are the projections for the next years:
· The main priority in pastoral work will be to help the
people in post war reconstruction, resettlement and reconciliation
programme. Attention will be given to the youth and those affected
by the war.
· The District would also like to be involved in retreat
work, formation in the major seminary and pastoral centre.
· Continued commitment to teaching and chaplaincy in the
Training Colleges and secondary schools.
· It would like to explore the possibility of a special Spiritan
project in secondary education.
· It will like to get another Spiritan parish in Kenema diocese,
to serve as home base for the District and WAF.
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