On Wednesday, 28^th of March, 2024, the seminary of Saints Peter and Paul, Bodija, welcomed and hosted the superior general of the Society of African Missions (SMA), Fr. Antonio Porcellato, SMA. Fr. Porcellato, who was on a visit to Nigeria from Italy, called in to take a tour round the seminary of Saints Peter and Paul, Bodija. He arrived the seminary compound at about 3:30pm together with the Councillor of the SMA Fr. Krystof Pachu. SMA and the Rector of the SMA house of formation here in Ibadan – Fr. Emmanuel Avonyoh, SMA. 

Fr. Porcellato was warmly welcomed by the Rector of Saints Peter and Paul Seminary, Bodija, Fr. Anthony Igbekele. Fr. Porcellato together with Fr. Pacho and Fr. Avonyoh, had lunch with the Rector and the other members of the seminary formation team in the Priest’s refectory.

After the meal, the Rector and some members of the seminary formation team showed Fr. Porcellato round the seminary compound. The Rector entertained Fr. Porcellato with information about the history of the different seminary structures and buildings as well as the impact which the SMA Fathers made in the early years of the seminary’s growth in Bodija.

This visit was covered by the Seminary’s media team, whom Fr. Porcellato graciously granted the privilege of a ten-minute interview just before his departure from the seminary at about 4:45pm when the Rector bade him farewell. The interview focused on the pastoral experiences of Fr. Porcellato as well as his opinions about the challenges and prospects in the Nigerian Church and in priestly formation.