New President of Sierra Leone’s Catholic Priests Pledges to Foster “deep, visible unity” among the Clergy

Freetown, 05 December, 2025 / 6:39 PM

The newly elected President of the National Confraternity of Catholic Priests in Sierra Leone has expressed commitment to promoting unity among the members in the West African nation during his tenure in office.

In his acceptance speech following his election during the Priests’ December 2–5 retreat, Fr. Paul Morana Sandi underscored the need for mutual support as a key means of fostering unity and solidarity among the Priests.

“My first commitment as your President is to foster deep, visible unity within our Presbyterate,” Fr. Morana said, adding, “I stand before you as a servant, echoing the words of our Lord, who ‘came not to be served but to serve’ (Mk. 10:45).”

In his speech at the retreat that was held at Pastoral Center, Kenema, on the theme: “Unity, Fraternity, and Service in the Priesthood,” Fr. Morana underlined the need to foster mutual support among the Priests, saying, “Many of our brothers serve in remote parishes, facing immense material and spiritual challenges.”

“We must strengthen our programs for mutual support, ensuring our elderly, sick, and those in remote missions feel the tangible presence of our solidarity. Let no Priest in Sierra Leone feel alone in his ministry,” the member of Clergy of Sierra Leone's Catholic Diocese of Bo said.

Fr. Morana urged the Priests in the country to uphold universal dignity to promote unity and solidarity among themselves and further encouraged them to “guard against the error of sectionalism and populism.”

“Our priesthood is a universal dignity that transcends tribal politics and local affiliations. We are priests of the Catholic Church, called to serve all the people of God, regardless of ethnicity, region, or background,” he said.

Fr. Morana also urged the Priests to unite in taking part in healing and formation programs, saying, “In obedience and collaboration with our Bishops, we must prioritize ongoing formation that addresses the healing of deep wounds, both our own and those of our people.”

He identified dedicated training to become effective ministers of reconciliation and social cohesion as among the key programs that priests must prioritize, noting that such efforts are vital to the future of the country.

Fr. Morana, who is succeeding Fr. Peter Konteh, also reflected on the challenges facing the West African nation, noting that the country “desperately needs credible witnesses.” He urged the priests to channel their energy toward their eternal calling.

“Our compatriots, and our flocks, will judge us not by the size of our buildings or the prominence of our titles, but by our moral conduct, our spirituality, and our fidelity to our priestly life and service. We must strive daily to be the men that Christ calls us to be, following His example,” he said.

“Our call as priests in Sierra Leone is unique and powerful. We have historically been, and must continue to be, the ‘voice of the voiceless,’ agents of reconciliation, healing, and social transformation,” he said.

He added, “We serve a people who have endured much, and who look to the Church, and specifically to us, for hope, stability, and the assurance of God’s abiding love.”

In his address, Fr. Morana said that the Confraternity of Catholic Priests in Sierra Leone is a fraternity, a brotherhood of men configured to Christ, the High Priest.

He called for collaboration with other members of the Executive, saying, “I look forward to working collaboratively with you to implement our collective plans, managing the affairs of this Confraternity with wisdom, fairness, and humility.”

“We will uphold our statutes, manage our resources efficiently, and transparently report our progress,” he said, and added in reference to all the Priests in the country, “Let us work together to strengthen the Confraternity, support our Bishops, and most importantly, fulfill our sacred mission.”

Speaking at the same event, Fr. Konteh, the outgoing president of the confraternity, congratulated his successor and pledged his full support and collaboration to the new Executive.

He lauded the election and the transition, noting that it was done smoothly, peacefully, and transparently.

“One of the greatest signs of maturity shown was the spirit of brotherhood; even those who did not win celebrated with those who were elected. This is true servant leadership and a profound witness to the Gospel,” Fr. Konteh said.

The member of the Clergy of the Archdiocese of Freetown explained that the maturity in which the process took place gives the Priests the moral authority to speak boldly when national political elections lack transparency or when those who lose refuse to accept the results.

“We Priests demonstrated to the nation what peaceful, honest, and dignified leadership looks like,” said the award-winning Catholic Priest who is the Executive Director of Caritas Freetown.