Société des Missions Africaines –Province d'Irlande

né le 27 août 1906 à Cork dans le diocèse de Cork, Irlande membre de la SMA le 8 juin 1927 prêtre le 7 juin 1931 décédé le 26 avril 1975

1931-1952 missionnaire au Nigeria, Lagos 1953-1956 au service du District de Grande-Bretagne 1956-1958 Blackrock Road, Cork  1958-1967 missionnaire au Nigeria, Lagos 1968-1975 malade, soins décédé à Cork, Irlande, le 26 avril 1975, à l'âge de 70 ans

Michael Drummond was born in Cork city (his home address was 45 Hibernian Buildings) in the parish of Saints Peter and Paul, on 27 August 1906. He died in St. Joseph's convalescent home, Mount Desert, Lee Road, Cork, on 26 April 1975.

Michael (Mick) came from a Cork family well known in the milling business. His father, George, was one of several brothers who specialised as masons for the cutting, repairing and polishing of the grinding stones for mills in many parts of the country. Mick was educated in the colleges of the Society. He came to the Sacred Heart college, Ballinafad, Co Mayo, in 192l and to St. Joseph's college, Wilton, Cork, in 1922. Mick entered the Society's novitiate and house of philosophy at Kilcolgan, Co Galway, in 1925 and completed his theological formation in the Society's seminary, at Dromantine, Co Down. He was received as a member of the Society on 8 July 1927, and was ordained a priest by Bishop Edward Mulhern of Dromore diocese, in St. Colman's cathedral, Newry, on 7 June 193l. He was one of a class of twelve ordained on that day.

After ordination Mick was appointed to the vicariate of the Bight of Benin, in south western Nigeria. A year before Mick's ordination this vicariate had been entrusted to the Irish Province, when Francis O'Rourke was nominated vicar apostolic. On Mick's arrival, in October 1931, Bishop O'Rourke appointed him to the district of Ado Ekiti, where Philip Corish was superior. Here Mick learned the local language, studied African culture at first hand and undertook supervised pastoral work. After six months he passed his language examination and received faculties to hear confessions. He was then appointed to Ebute Metta station, as assistant to John Kilbey. Ebute Metta was the 'third principal station' of Lagos district, established in 1890. When Mick came there, Ebute Metta and its three outstations, had a Catholic community of almost 3,000 members and 300 catechumens. Ebute Metta was also the location of the vicariate's printing press and library. In 1935 Mick was appointed superior of Lafiaji mission, the 'second principal station' of Lagos district, which had been founded in 1918 and had a Catholic community of some 2,000 members.

When Mick returned from his first home leave, in March 1937, he resumed his ministry at Lafiaji. In June 1939 Leo Hale Taylor became vicar apostolic (on the death of Bishop O'Rourke). He transferred Mick to Holy Cross cathedral mission, the oldest station in Nigeria, founded in 1868. Mick was appointed superior at Holy Cross, with Pat Dorr, William Field and Dave Mulcahy as his assistants. Mick went on home leave in May 1941. He returned to Nigeria a year later, resuming his duties at Holy Cross. Five months earlier (January 1943), with the detachment of the Ondo and Ilorin districts to form a new jurisdiction, the old vicariate was renamed 'the vicariate of Lagos'. In 1950 it was to become the archdiocese of Lagos. Mick remained in charge at Holy Cross until his return from leave in November 1949, when he was appointed superior of Ibadan district. Together with Frank O'Mahony, his assistant, and living at Ogunpa mission, he ministered to a Catholic community of almost 9,000 members and 700 catechumens.

In June 1952 Mick was invalided home from Africa. After a period of rest in Cork he entered the Tropical Institute, Liverpool, in May 1953. After a months treatment and a subsequent period of convalescence, in November 1953 Mick was appointed to the 'British District' of the Society, taking up residence in the 'foundation house' at Anson Road, Victoria Park, Manchester. In June 1956 Mick received permission to return to Lagos. However, having made his booking for 10 January 1957, he fell ill and had to cancel. He was then appointed to work in the 'treasury department' at Blackrock Road. Finally, on 13 November 1958, in better health, he returned to the archdiocese of Lagos. Realising that Mick would no longer be able for heavy work, Bishop Taylor appointed him as curate to the pastor of Ebutte Metta parish, Harry Sheppard, where his duties were relatively light. During these years his health gave much cause for concern, but he courageously remained at his post until December 1967 when he was finally compelled to withdraw. From 1968 Mick was invalided in the S.M.A. house at Blackrock Road. In May 1971 his health further deteriorated he was suffering from multiple sclerosis and he was hospitalised at Mount Desert.

A confrère wrote of Mick after his death: 'He was a man with a quiet, gentle, open personality, and possessed of a good sense of humour. He loved a get together and sing song. At the same time he had inherited the strong rugged faith of his parents. Mick had a soft, clear, tenor voice, which was to sing God's praises in many a lowly bush church as well as in the vaulted spaciousness of Holy Cross cathedral in Lagos'. Mick was a first cousin of Tom Drummond who was ordained for the Society in 1947.

He is buried in Wilton cemetery.