The first group of missionaries arrived in Esmeraldas on 13 April 1955. The pioneers of the Comboni mission were Fr. Angelo Barbisotti, who was soon after consecrated the first bishop of the apostolic vicariate (1958), Fr. Luis Marro, and Brother Ángel Fusetto. This was the first step in responding to the desire of Pope Pius XII, who entrusted the pastoral care of Esmeraldas, with a majority of Afro-descendants, to the Comboni Missionaries, due to their experience in Africa and the extreme social and religious poverty of this population.
Initially, there was considerable reluctance within the Congregation. The Comboni Missionaries saw themselves as “special envoys” in the missions of Africa, both because of the charism of the founder, St. Daniel Comboni, the first bishop of Central Africa, and because of their century-long work in African countries.
Some objections were raised at the Holy See, citing the shortage of missionaries and the urgent missions in Uganda and Sudan, nations nearing political independence. However, the Vatican did not change its decision, having already entrusted two missions in Peru to the German branch of the Missionaries and two others in Brazil and Mexico to the Italian branch.
The province of Esmeraldas was then marginal compared to the rest of the country: there were no roads or electricity; health centres and educational facilities were minimal. From a spiritual perspective, the lack of personnel had led to the almost total neglect of the population.
Shortly after his arrival, Father Barbisotti wrote about this: “In our first missionary journeys, we met many people endowed with genuine natural goodness, but who, through no fault of their own, are devoid of any doctrinal knowledge. They ignore the plan of salvation, grace, the richness of the faith and of Catholic morality. For the great majority, the Gospel is an unknown book, religion is reduced to a vague confusion of superstitious practices, formulas, and objects with no Christian content.”
The initial phase of the Comboni Missionaries’ presence in Esmeraldas was marked by a strong pastoral drive and saw the launch of numerous activities (catechesis, visits to families, training of leaders, etc.) in the regional capital and other towns, especially San Lorenzo, Limones, Quinindé, Muisne, and along the river villages. During this period, many missionaries, priests, brothers, and Comboni Missionary Sisters arrived, leading to a period of significant expansion and the construction of key facilities: parishes, schools, dispensaries, social promotion centres, technical schools, and more.
The core of this vibrant missionary activity was the spiritual support and human development of the people of Esmeraldas. The task was “not easy,” as the early missionaries observed, “particularly because of the scattered settlements across a vast and often difficult terrain. They became accustomed to long journeys by canoe, enduring strong river currents – sometimes on horseback or foot; ready for all breakdowns and unforeseen difficulties.”
On 14 June 1973, Pope Paul VI appointed the Comboni missionary Enrique Bartolucci as bishop of the vicariate of Esmeraldas, succeeding the late Monsignor Angel Barbisotti. Over subsequent years, priests, religious, and laypeople from both local and abroad arrived to support the evangelisation of Esmeraldas. At the same time, the Comboni Missionaries were asked to assist the Afro-Ecuadorian community and to foster the missionary spirit of the local Church. Starting from 1976, new pastoral responsibilities were taken up in the dioceses of Manabí, Quito, and Guayaquil. By 1982, the presence of the Comboni Missionaries extended to Colombia, with communities in Cali, Bogotá, and Medellín. In 1995, the Spanish Comboni priest Eugenio Arellano was appointed the third bishop of Esmeraldas.
Over time, the Comboni Missionaries’ presence waned. In 2021, Monsignor Arellano, as bishop and apostolic vicar of Esmeraldas, reached retirement age and stepped down. He was succeeded by Monsignor Antonio Crameri, of the priestly society of Saint Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo. The Missionaries remain active in Esmeraldas, in the parish of La Merced, and in the towns of San Lorenzo and Borbón. They left a lively and evangelising local Church, undoubtedly inspired by the missionary spirit of Saint Daniel Comboni.
To mark 70 years of Comboni presence in Esmeraldas, a flower wreath has recently been placed on the tombs of Monsignor Angel Barbisotti and Monsignor Enrique Bartolucci at the cathedral entrance, honouring the approximately 60 Comboni missionaries who have passed away in Esmeraldas. Others continue their work, and thanks to this legacy, several Ecuadorian-born Comboni missionaries are now serving, proclaiming the Gospel in other parts of the world.
Francisco Carrera
Comboni Missionaries