Photographs of the Society of Missionaries of Africa

Photographs relating to missionary work undertaken by The Society of Missionaries of Africa [also known as 'The White Fathers'] during the 20th century. Photographs depict missionary work in numerous African countries.

The images are largely uncaptioned, but have been ordered into two sequences: photographs arranged by country; and photographs arranged by subject. It appears this ordering was undertaken by 'Vivant Univers' [Living Universe]. Most sequences of photographs include typescript explanatory notes written in French.

The Society of the Missionaries of Africa, also known as 'The White Fathers' [due to the colour of their habit], is an international missionary society of priests and brothers. The society was founded in 1868 by Cardinal Charles Lavigerie (1825-1892), Archbishop of Algiers and Carthage in North Africa. The Missionaries of Africa arrived in Great Britain in 1912. Their first foundation was in the Diocese of Portsmouth at The Priory, Bishops Waltham, Hampshire. The already existing house was opened as a Junior Seminary. During the course of the following years, further houses were opened in both England and Scotland to cater for growing needs.

Individual members are involved in various society activities including the care of sick and elderly missionaries, collecting funds, preaching, media work and administration. Ministry in neighbouring parishes is undertaken whenever possible as a way of helping the local Church.

The official Archives of the Society of Missionaries of Africa are based in Rome: http://peresblancs.org/archivesdocgb.htm

Source: The Missionaries of Africa website, accessed 3 August 2016 via: http://www.thewhitefathers.org.uk/

A separate working arrangement, at one time used by the Society of Missionaries of Africa, was alphabetical order by name of country. Upon transfer to the Cadbury Research Library, they were arranged by 'Vivant Univers' number sequence, and now have been arranged initially into sub-series of country and subject. The original 'Vivant Univers' sequence is kept within the deposit file.

Open, access to all registered researchers.

Presented July 2016.

Please see full catalogue for more information.

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