Publisher's Synopsis
"Having served in the Archdiocese of St. Boniface for forty-three years and having witnessed the decline in numbers of our local-born clergy as well as the arrival and increase in numbers of missionaries from overseas together with the challenges facing them and the people they serve, I believe this book to be a clear and honest (and dare I say charitable) presentation of this current phase in the life of our church in Western Canada. This little book can serve as an excellent preparation for the missionaries from other countries who are called to serve here in Western Canada and for the communities into which they will integrate and that these dedicated missionaries will serve."
Carl J. Tarnopolski, B.A., M.A., L.I.C.
Pastor of St. Emile Parish and Vicar General
for the Archdiocese of St. Boniface
"Traditionally when we think of missionaries, we by default assume that they are people from developed countries taking the gospel to Third World developing countries. In this book, Mr. Nnadi challenges this concept and pushes us to shift our paradigm and consider that in this era, a new type of missionary has emerged. These are the 'missioned' now coming from Third World countries to re-evangelize North America and Europe. Although they are often seen and referred to as visiting clergy or volunteers, they are in the true sense of the word, bona fide missionaries.
Bishop Calvert Layne
Pastor, Truth and Life Worship Centre, Winnipeg
"This is a great tribute to African missionaries so full of His love and the blessing of the Holy Spirit that they came to Canada to share the Good News to our mosaic of people."
Michele Synnott
Coordinator, Formation for Healing Ministry,
St. Ignatius Parish, Winnipeg Archdiocese
"From Convert to Missionary is a book all must read. From a layman's perspective, Professor Joseph recalls the genesis and the mission of priests and nuns of African descent in the church in Canada. The author exposes the motivating factors for this evangelization endeavour. The book is here for us, lest we forget why they are in Canada."
Rev. Dr. Udoka Chris Nwosu
St. Boniface Archdiocese
About the Book
This book tells the yet untold story of missionary activity in Canada by men and women of African descent. It begins with their experience in Episcopal churches in the last century and concludes with their work in the contemporary Catholic church. It highlights the pivotal role Pope John Paul II played in galvanizing the "new evangelization" effort in Canada.
About the Author
Dr. Joseph Nnadi is a retired Professor of French Literature and Language at the University of Winnipeg. He is currently a "Senior Scholar" of the same institution. In addition to his academic research and professional publications, which cover subject areas such as 19th Century French Literature and Francophone Literature, Dr. Nnadi studies and writes about the history and experiences of Africans in the diaspora. He is the author of the bilingual publication, Black Pioneers of St. Boniface, MB: 1908-2008/Les Pionniers Noirs de Saint Boniface, MB: 1908-2008, as well as Les NEgresses de Baudelaire.
