New York Province Jesuits Celebrate 50 Years in Africa

Fr. Joseph Schuyler, SJ, Fr. Joseph Schuh, SJ, and Fr. Joseph McKenna, SJ, in the fall of 1963 in Surulere, Lagos (Nigeria) where they lived and worked.

Fifty years ago today, New York Province Jesuit Father Joseph Schuh landed in Lagos, Nigeria to help open the University of Lagos and teach biology. His arrival marked the start of an enduring legacy.

More than 125 members of the Society of Jesus, mainly from the New York Province, have served this region of Africa in various works during the last half century.

The area was a mission of the New York Province until becoming an independent province in 2005, with Jesuit Father George Quickley serving as the first provincial. Today the North-West Africa Province (ANW) consists of Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Gambia and has approximately 106 Jesuits.

Fr. Jeff Chojnacki, SJ, former New York Province Provincial, (center) and concelebrants bless Fr. George Quickley, SJ, at a Mass celebrating his installation as the first provincial of the new ANW Province in 2005.

The province’s works include five parishes, two retreat centers and three schools, with another currently under construction. Jesuits in the province also serve as chaplains in the university system and as spiritual directors.

For more information on the works of the province, visit the ANW Jesuits website; for additional photos, view this slideshow from the New York Province. [New York Province]