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Religious Order

Missionaries of Africa

Catholic Religious Orders and Congregations
Origin from 1868

The Missionaries of Africa, popularly known as the White Fathers and abbreviated M.Afr., are a Catholic society of apostolic life founded in 1868 in Algiers by Charles-Martial Allemand-Lavigerie, then Archbishop of Algiers, to evangelize and educate primarily in Africa. The society is headquartered on Via Aurelia in Rome under Superior General Stanley Lubungo, and as of 2021 comprised about 1,428 members from 36 nationalities operating in 42 countries across 217 communities.

Facts
Classification
Kind of order
Catholic Religious Orders and Congregations 1
Apostolate
Teaching and Education 2
Apostolate
Missionary Work 1
Apostolate
Preaching 2
Who may join
Men Only 1
Who may join
Lay and Ordained Together 2
Origins
Origin Period
from 1868 1
Belief
Defining Doctrinal Position
Catholic Apostolic Magisterial Authority 2
Practice
Liturgical Language
The vernacular 2
Liturgical Language
Latin 2
Organisation
Ordination
Holy Orders / Apostolic Succession 2
Ordination
Vowed Religious Profession (not ordained) 2
Status
Status Today
Living tradition, practised today 1
Connections

Belongs to Tradition

Originated In

Algeria, Countries
Source Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent): White Fathers

Rooted In

Source Missionaries of Africa (Wikipedia)

Uses Liturgical Language

Sources
1. Wikipedia: Missionaries of Africa
Wikipedia
  • lead paragraph
    The White Fathers (French: Pères Blancs), officially known as the Missionaries of Africa (Latin: Missionarii Africae) and abbreviated MAfr, are a Catholic society of apostolic life of pontif
  • Introduction, apostolate
    The society focuses on evangelization and education, primarily in Africa.
View the Source
2. Islamic Mysticism: A Short History
Alexander Knysh, Brill
Missionaries of Africa (Wikipedia)
Rooted In: Roman Catholicism, Lead section
Quote, Rooted In: Roman Catholicism, Lead section
The White Fathers (French: Pères Blancs), officially known as the Missionaries of Africa (Latin: Missionarii Africae) and abbreviated MAfr, are a Catholic society of apostolic life of pontifical right for men.
View the Source
Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent): White Fathers
Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent)Originated In: Algeria, Opening article text
Quote, Originated In: Algeria, Opening article text
was founded in 1868 by the first Archbishop of Algiers
View the Source
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