Among the students who completed their medical
studies in Malta
was
Dr Adrian Attiman. He became the most outstanding
of the group
because of all he achieved in his own country, Tanganyika.
When he had finished his training, he and his companions had
the joy
of assisting at the consecration of their future Apostolic
delegate,
Bishop Bridoux, at Paris. The consecration was performed by
Cardinal Lavigerie, who afterwards gave an arousing talk about
the horror of the slave trade carried on in Central Africa.
On July 16th 1888, Adrian Attiman left Marseille together
with
Bishop Bridoux and several Missionaries of Africa. After
thirty days
they arrived in Zanzibar. There the missionaries organised
a caravan,
which was the only way of travelling in the country.
At Mpwapwa, they came across a caravan of slaves, many of
whom
were suffering from small pox and dysentery. Adrian was
deeply
moved at the sight of their misery and he realized how fortunate
he was to have been rescued and educated by missionaries
and
that he was now a doctor and catechist.
He expressed his gratitude by giving himself fully to the
task of helping his brethren not only physically, but also
by sharing with them the gift of faith in Christ Jesus,
who came to free captives and give new life to all without
distinction.
Adrian arrived in Karema six months after the departure
from Marseilles.
This was his first Mission and he started straightaway to
take care
of the people. Besides giving medical care, he also gave
catechism lessons
to the children and revealed to the people around that it
was the love
of Christ in him that was the source of his concern for
them, and not human interest. His presence had a great impact
on the people.
In 1882 he married Agnes Wamseila who came from a pagan
tribe.
In so doing, he hoped that her people would also come closer
to
the Church. The following year a son was born and they called
him Joseph.
He later became a priest.
Cardinal's Lavigerie's project of educating Africans
in Malta came
to an end in 1896.
.
