Early Conventual Franciscan vocations in Ghana, late 1970’s.

One of the early missions the Franciscan Friars Conventual began in Africa was in Ghana, West Africa. Started in 1977, the mission in Ghana would provide full-service healthcare and spiritual care for persons suffering from Hanson’s Disease, formerly known as leprosy, educational and vocational training, and many, many other forms of care and service to the people of Ghana. As with all Franciscan missions, in time local young people heard the call to Franciscan religious life. Responding to the need for formation in Ghana, the friars developed the St. Francis Novitiate and Spirituality Center in Saltpond, Ghana.

Early Conventual Franciscans in Ghana. Fr. Dominic Slemba is standing on the far right.

In 1977, +Friar Dominic Slemba, OFM Conv. was one of the first group of friars from the former St. Anthony of Padua Province (whose friars joined those of Immaculate Conception Province to create Our Lady of the Angels Province in 2014) to open the new mission in Ghana. From 1978 – 1984, +Friar Dominic continued his missionary work of forming new friars by  serving as the Director of Novices, at St. Francis Novitiate, in Saltpond. +Friar Dominic then served as the Director of Formation and Guardian at the Our Lady of the Portiuncula Friary, in Cape Coast, Ghana until 1988 when he resumed his work in Saltpond, serving again as Director of Novices and then as a staff member of the Spirituality Center. In 2004, suffering from cancer, +Friar Dominic left his beloved Ghana and returned to the United States. Sister Death greeted him in 2006 after a long fought battle and he was buried in the Friars’ Mausoleum in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, in Baltimore, MD.

A major part of the friars’ ministry in Ghana was care for those suffering from Hanson’s Disease, then known as leprosy. Here, Fr. Dominic shares Communion with a leprosy patient.

As Director of Novices, Fr. Dominic formed many young men in their journey to Franciscan life. Here, Fr. Dominic oversees as then Vicar Provincial Fr. Alexander Cymerman, OFM Conv., receives the simple vows of a Ghanaian friar .

Fr. Dominic in a thoughtful moment in the friary courtyard. His impact on the Franciscan Order and the Church in Ghana is immeasurable.

At the request by those he served so faithfully, permission was granted for the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., Minister Provincial of the Our Lady of the Angels Province, to translate, or move, the remains of +Friar Dominic back to Ghana. The Memorial Mass and Interment lasted three hours, concluding under lashing rain at the grave-site in the “Franciscan Valley of Prayer and Silence.”  Cardinal Peter Turkson, who serves as President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in Vatican City, was the main celebrant. Cardinal Turkson was assisted by the Archbishop of Cape Coast – the Most Reverend Matthias Kobena Nketsiah, as well as the Custos of the Order’s Ghanaian Custody of St. Anthony – Fr. Anthony Bezo Kutiero, OFM Conv. and Fr. James.  Not even the drenching downpour, as it was Ghana’s legendary “Rainy Season,” dampened the exuberant spirit of the day.  A fitting summary can be found in the succinct and memorable words of the Archbishop: “Fr. Dominic was an American by accident, but a Ghanaian by Divine appointment!”

Before Mass, Fr. Dominic’s cremated remains reposed beneath the Tabernacle which he installed at the Saltpond Novitiate Chapel, while serving there.

Archbishop of Cape Coast – the Most Reverend Matthias Kobena Nketsiah, Minister Provincial of Our Lady of the Angels Province – the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., President of the Pontifical Council for Justice & Peace in Vatican City – Cardinal Peter Turkson, Custos of the Order’s Ghanaian Custody of St. Anthony – Fr. Anthony Bezo Kutiero, OFM Conv.

Procession of Friars, friends, and faithful honor the life and legacy of Fr. Dominic Slemba, OFM Conv.

Fr. Dominic Slemba, OFM Conv. in 2006 at the Shrine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City, Maryland.