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2023-12-31-accounts

The Society of Missionaries of Africa

Report and Accounts

31 December 2023

England and Wales Charity registration number: England and Wales no 233302 Scotland no SC037981

Borucki & Co 42 Radnor Road Harrow Middlesex HA1 1RZ

The Society of Missionaries of Africa (also known as The White Fathers) Report and accounts Contents

Page
Reports
Legal and administrative information 1
Trustees report 2
Auditors' report 6
Accounts
Statement of financial activities 9
Balance sheet 10
Cash flow statement 11
Principle accounting policies 12
Notes to the accounts 14

The Society of Missionaries of Africa (also known as The White Fathers) Legal and administrative information

Trustees Rev H Seenan
Rev D Starkey
Rev C Wallbank
Sector Treasurer Rev D Starkey
Principle address 64 Little Ealing Lane
London W5 4XF
Charity registration numbers England 233302
Scotland SC037981
Auditors Borucki & Co
42 Radnor Road
Harrow
Middlesex HA1 1RZ
Investment managers Raymond James Investment Services
1 King William Street
London EC4N 7AF
Bankers National Westminster Bank plc
Corporate Service Team
PO Box 666
Waterloo Street
Bolton BL1 8FH
Solicitors Hunters
9 New Square
Lincoln's Inn
London WC2A 3QN

1

The Society of Missionaries of Africa (also known as The White Fathers) Trustees report

The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023.

INTRODUCTION

The Society of Missionaries of Africa (The White Fathers) is an international society of Roman Catholic priests, Brothers and lay associates. It was founded by Cardinal Charles Lavigerie in Algeria in 1868 and now has its international headquarters in Rome. The British Sector of the Society, with which these accounts deal, is governed by the Society’s own constitutions and by-laws, and by a principal trust deed dated 2 November 1949. The Trust is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (No. 233302) and with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (No. SC037981). The Charity Commissioners for England and Wales granted a Certificate of Incorporation to the Trustees of the Charity on 03 April 1996. They are called “The Trustees of the Society of Missionaries of Africa (also known as The White Fathers).”

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES AND AIMS

The general objectives of the Society are religious and charitable, and specifically the promotion of the religious and human development of the people of Africa. In Britain the Society is concerned with the recruiting of missionaries; promotion of the missionary vocation; missionary promotion among the general public through the magazine, letters, and mission appeals in parishes; promotion of Justice, Peace & the Care of Creation issues as well as Encounter & Dialogue with other religions; the care in retirement and/or sickness of our returned missionaries. The latter has become one of the main activities and aims of the Society in Britain, given that the 31 members have an average age of 78 years.

As missionaries we follow the exhortation of our founder, Cardinal Lavigerie: “Be apostles, nothing but apostles”.

ORGANISATION

For ecclesiastical purposes, the worldwide Society, headquartered in Rome, is divided into Provinces and sub-divided into Sectors. The British Sector is one of nine Sectors in the European Province, with its headquarters in Brussels. For legal purposes, the Society in Great Britain is independent of any outside body of the Society. The Sector chairperson and his Council manage the Society here. He is, de jure and de facto, a Trustee and the chair of the Trustees, and appoints a number of other Trustees: the treasurer and usually one or two other members. Decisions are normally reached by consensus.

TRUSTEES

Fr Hugh Seenan

Fr Hugh Seenan was ordained a priest in 1989. He has worked in Mozambique for 22 years, India for 6 years and Malawi for 3. He came back to Britain in August 2020 to take over as Sector Superior. This is the first time that he has been resident in Britain since 1989.

Fr B Denis Starkey

Fr. Denis Starkey was ordained priest in 1977. His African missionary activity was in Malawi and Nigeria. For 11 years he was Superior and Church Appeals Organiser in our house in Sutton Coldfield. In 2005 he was appointed Registrar/Secretary/Treasurer of the Missionary Institute London and was responsible for the arrangement of the eventual closure of the Institute in 2007. He took up his appointment as Treasurer of the Missionaries of Africa in the USA in 2008 and completed his term of office in 2013. He was appointed to his present role of Treasurer in 2013.

Fr Christopher Wallbank

After joining the Society of Missionaries of Africa in 1973 Fr Wallbank spent a number of years as a missionary in Malawi. Since returning to work in the then-Province he has been Vocations Director and Superior of our residence for the elderly in Glasgow. Currently he is Secretary to the Sector Superior and his Council as well as Superior of our Little Ealing Lane community in Ealing, West London. As a Trustee, keeps the Minutes of Trustees Meetings. He was appointed as Secretary to the then Province in July, 2006

PERSONNEL

At the end of 2023, there were 30 Society members appointed to the Sector, 25 British members and 5 from areas outside Britain, including 1 trainee. Of the 30 members, there were 12 active, 18 semi-retired/retired. There were an additional 8 active British Society members appointed outside Great Britain: 5 in various African countries, 1 in Jerusalem, 1 in France and 1 awaiting an appointment while on sabbatical. There were a further 2 members of our Society from outside Britain resident but not appointed to the Sector. 1 was working in a parish and 1 was retired in his own home.

2

The Society of Missionaries of Africa (also known as The White Fathers) Trustees report

SECTOR ADMINISTRATION TEAM

Sector Council: The Council

The Sector Superior has his office at our British Headquarters in Little Ealing Lane, London. The Sector Superior is entrusted with the duty of providing for the spiritual and temporal wellbeing of the members. His chief ministry is the spiritual and apostolic inspiration of communities and individuals, in accordance with the charism of the Society. The current Superior was appointed for a 1st 3-year mandate on 1st July 2020.

The Sector Treasurer , under the responsibility of the Sector Superior and his Council, is in charge of the material interests of the Sector. He administers the Society’s fixed and current assets. In carrying out his duties, the Treasurer is assisted by the Financial Council, which meets twice yearly. He makes use of legal, accounting and other professional advice on an ad hoc basis. His term of office was renewed on 1st July 2022 for a term of 3 years.

The Sector Secretary , appointed by the Sector Council, is at the service of the Sector, under the direction of the Sector Superior. His term of office is usually for three years, though it may be extended. His term of office was renewed on 1st July 2019 for a period of 3 years.

The Sector Council is composed of six members, the three trustees above and one member each from our communities in Corfton Road, London, St. Vincent's Parish, Liverpool and Rutherglen, Scotland.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

The trustees have consulted the guidance made available by the Charity Commission for England and Wales on the Public Benefit requirement of the Charities Act 2011.

The trustees are confident that they have complied with their duty under the Charities Act 2011 in that they have had due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Commission.

In furtherance of the trust's charitable purposes for the public benefit, the trustees give details of their activities in the following paragraphs.

REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES

Here follows a description of the major activities that take place in the communities in England and Scotland, activities that assist the Society in its general and specific objectives.

(1) 64 Little Ealing Lane (W5 4XF) , London, is the Sector’s administration centre, a home for our elderly/retired members who no longer can do much or any active ministry, but can still look after themselves reasonably well, a place for student-priests, and visitors. Some of the members help in nearby parishes and als0 in making church appeals. At the end of 2023 there were 12 members in residence.

(2) Corfton Road (W5 2HP), London , is a community of 3 members. One is Administrator of the Promotion Office and Church Appeals plus the local house bursar. One provides help with his computer expertise. The Magazine Editor is based here and looks after our website.

Appeals in parishes are organised by the Catholic Missionary Union of England and Wales on a rotation basis among the participating missionary societies and congregations. In 2023, the Society was assigned to the Archdiocese of Liverpool. This program enables us to contact parishes and arrange dates and details for Church Appeals. For the appeals’ organiser, this involves correspondence with and telephone calls to parish priests, finding Society members to do the appeals and sending them the necessary details and instructions. These appeals promote awareness among the parishioners of the Church’s role and activities in mission in Africa and awareness of their solidarity with and co-responsibility towards the Church and peoples of Africa.

It is to be noted that our magazine, Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers), is an excellent means of fostering mission awareness. Besides news of the Sector and work done by our members in Africa, each issue usually has articles on one or other aspect of our work, for example, relations with Muslims, problems in large towns, Africa’s financial problems, our spiritual and development work in a particular African country. The magazine is free and it offers people the chance to support the Society and its works through donations, gifts, and legacies.

(3) In Liverpool, (L1 5JN) a community of 5 members was established in September 2018 at the invitation of the Archbishop to assist the Archdiocese with the pastoral care of a small inner city parish. Also, in line with our policies of inter-religious dialogue and availability to the African World, the community is an outreach to diverse ethnic groups in the city. One of the members is the Sector representative of Justice, Peace & the Integrity of Creation (JPIC) matters. A trainee from Tanzania completed his period of participation in the activities of the community and he was replaced by another from Burundi towards the end of the year.

3

The Society of Missionaries of Africa (also known as The White Fathers) Trustees report

(4) In Rutherglen, Glasgow (G73 2NG) , the community consists of 6 members. One of the members works on promotion and mission animation, including mission appeals, pastoral work, and correspondence with our benefactors. The appeals’ organiser arranges for all appeals made in Scotland, contacting parish priests and finding members to do the Church appeals. From the house, support is given to a group called The Parents & Friends Association. Its members organise and host different fund-raising activities that help to support White Fathers working in Africa.

Outside our community houses, there are 4 members:

The Society of Missionaries of Africa is an active member of the Conference of Religious and Societies of Apostolic Life (CoR) (www.corew.org), which facilitates and coordinates the efforts of its members to be at the service of the Church and society. It is proactive in its support for the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) (https://catholicsafeguarding.org.uk). Its primary role is one of co-ordination, advice and support in respect of the wider job of safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. One of our members is Safeguarding Representative to the various safeguarding groups in England, Wales and Scotland to deal with any cases of abuse that may arise. The Society of Missionaries of Africa are aligned to the Religious Life Safeguarding Service (RLSS) (https://religioussafeguarding.org) for purposes of safeguarding arrangements put in place by CSSA.

Within the framework of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales

(www.catholic-ew.org.uk), the Society is actively involved in matters concerning Africa through its membership in the Catholic Missionary Union (CMU) (www.cmu.org.uk).

It should be noted that while the charity’s members are, for the most part, supported by the charity, there would be no charity without them. Their work contributes to it in many ways: they organise its numerous activities, and in a word, give their lives for it and its aims.

THE CHARITY'S STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

-- Incoming Resources: General Fund Appeals and donations decreased compared to 2022. Legacies received both general and restricted showed increases. This fluctuation in the level of legacy income illustrates that income cannot be assumed for future years. Although the market value of investments showed a gain investment income decreased substantially following changes in the makeup of the portfolio. Overall income was up by some £900,000.

-- Expenditure: was £1.69 million less than in 2022 although the upkeep of comunities increased by £125 thousand support of missions and donations decreased by some £1.89 million as a result of the 2022 deficit.

-- Compared with 2022, our Capital and Reserves increased by about £600,000. The trustees consider the position to be satisfactory.

-- With the General Fund standing at £3.7 million the trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Trust's ability to continue as a going concern.

TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES WITH REGARD TO THE ACCOUNTS

Under charity law, the trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the accounts for each financial year which show a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the excess of income over expenditure for that period.

In preparing these accounts, generally accepted accounting practice entails that the trustees:

The trustees are required to act in accordance with the trust deed of the charity, within the framework of trust law. They are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, sufficient to disclose at any time, with reasonable accuracy, the financial position of the charity at that time, and to enable the trustees to ensure that, where any statements of accounts are prepared by them under section 132(1) of the Charities Act 2011, those statements of accounts comply with the requirements of regulations under that provision. They have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the charity and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

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The Society of Missionaries of Africa (also known as The White Fathers) Trustees report

TRUSTEES' INVESTMENT AND OTHER POWERS

According to the Trust Deed, the Trustees have the power to invest any money forming part of the. Trust Fund and to apply income and capital for the charitable purposes of the Trust in England and elsewhere. They may purchase property, sell land and property, and pay for the upkeep of land and property held upon Trust. They may also borrow money for any of the foregoing purposes and accept donations.

RESERVES POLICY

Reasonable reserves are maintained to produce required income for the purposes and needs of the Trust. While the funds reserved might be considered small relative to the number of members and the work for which the Charity is responsible, it is the Society on a worldwide level rather than any individual section of the Society that ultimately looks after any unexpected needs or problems that may arise.

INVESTMENT POLICY

The Investment policy of the Society is to receive interest and dividends from investments, made on an ethical basis, so that the aims of the Society can be achieved. The objective of the portfolios under an investment manager at Raymond James Investment Services, London, is to maximise total return from income and capital at medium risk.

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS

Along with all other organisations who serve in the community, the trustees recognise the absolute necessity of ensuring the protection and safety of all those the charity serves. This means that all our members who are in any kind of ministry in Great Britain must obtain clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau. The trustees are committed to implementing all policies and procedures of the office of the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) and those of our Society. One of our members provides safeguarding services for the Sector as and when required.

DATA PROTECTION

In line with the GDPR Act of 2018, procedures were implemented to ensure that the Society data protection policies follow the latest legal requirements. The current full Privacy Policy is to be found on the website at www.missionariesofafrica.org.uk

RISK ASSESSMENT

The major risks to which the Charity is exposed, as identified by the trustees, have been reviewed and systems have been established to mitigate those risks as far as possible. The major risks include: fraud by members of the Society or employees; operational and fundraising losses due to catastrophic situations and, in consultation with our insurers D.E. Ford, periodic risk assessments for Health, Safety, Welfare and fire in each of the properties of the Charity.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

There are no other definite planned changes in the activities of the Society for the coming year.

THE CHARITY'S ASSETS

Acquisitions and disposals of fixed assets during the year are recorded in the notes to the accounts.

Signed on behalf of the Trustees:

Denis Starkey Trustee Approved by the trustees on 23rd September 2024

5

The Society of Missionaries of Africa (also known as The White Fathers) Independent Auditor's Report

Independent auditors' report to the Trustees of the Society of Missionaries of Africa

We have audited the financial statements of the Society of Missionaries of Africa for the year ended 31 December 2023 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, Statement of cash flows and the related notes.The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice)..

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the accounts in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the report and accounts other than the accounts and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the accounts does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the accounts, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the accounts or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the accounts or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:-

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Trustees' Responsibilities Statement set out on page 6, the Trustees are responsible for the preparation of financial statements which give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of accounts that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

6

The Society of Missionaries of Africa (also known as The White Fathers) Independent Auditor's Report

In preparing the accounts, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the accounts as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these accounts. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

How the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities including fraud

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and noncompliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

• we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the Charity through discussions with management and trustees, and from our knowledge and experience of the charity sector;

We assessed the susceptibility of the Charity’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

• making enquiries of management and trustees as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

7

The Society of Missionaries of Africa (also known as The White Fathers) Independent Auditor's Report

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the accounts is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of report

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and with regulations made under section 154 of that Act. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Borucki & Co

Borucki & Co Signed on 23rd September 2024 Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 42 Radnor Road Harrow Middlesex HA1 1RZ

Borucki & Co is eligible to act as auditor in terms of Section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

8

The Society of Missionaries of Africa (also known as The White Fathers) Statement of financial activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 December 2023

Notes
General
fund
Designated
fund
Restricted
fund
2023
£
£
£
Income
Voluntary income
Appeals, donations and legacies
1
636,953
-
583,081
1,220,034
Contribution from Provincial fund
-
Salaries, stipends and pensions
1
292,721
-
-
292,721
Masses said
32,084
-
-
32,084
Investment income
-
Dividend and interest
2
154,904
-
-
154,904
Other income
Miscellaneous income
21,225
-
-
21,225
Formation grants and bursaries
12,775
-
-
12,775
Total income
1,150,662
-
583,081
1,733,743
Expenditure
Raising funds
Investment manager fees
14,766
-
-
14,766
Charitable activities
Pastoral activities
Mission animation - magazine
105,701
-
-
105,701
Upkeep of communities
3
789,321
-
-
789,321
Promotion and formation
21,109
-
-
21,109
Support of Missions and donations
31,697
-
253,529
285,226
Administrative expenses
4,081
-
-
4,081
Governance costs
29,417
-
-
29,417
Total expenditure
4
996,092
-
253,529
1,249,621
Total income less tota expenditure
154,570
-
329,552
484,122
Net gains (losses) on investments
180,640
-
-
180,640
Net income (expenditure) before transfers
335,210
-
329,552
664,762
Transfers between funds
-
-
-
-
Net income (expenditure)
335,210
-
329,552
664,762
Balances brought forward 1 January
3,381,304
8,123,801
22,839
11,527,944
Balances carried forward 31 December
3,716,514
8,123,801
352,391
12,192,706
Unrestricted funds		 Notes
General
fund
Designated
fund
Restricted
fund
2023
£
£
£
Income
Voluntary income
Appeals, donations and legacies
1
636,953
-
583,081
1,220,034
Contribution from Provincial fund
-
Salaries, stipends and pensions
1
292,721
-
-
292,721
Masses said
32,084
-
-
32,084
Investment income
-
Dividend and interest
2
154,904
-
-
154,904
Other income
Miscellaneous income
21,225
-
-
21,225
Formation grants and bursaries
12,775
-
-
12,775
Total income
1,150,662
-
583,081
1,733,743
Expenditure
Raising funds
Investment manager fees
14,766
-
-
14,766
Charitable activities
Pastoral activities
Mission animation - magazine
105,701
-
-
105,701
Upkeep of communities
3
789,321
-
-
789,321
Promotion and formation
21,109
-
-
21,109
Support of Missions and donations
31,697
-
253,529
285,226
Administrative expenses
4,081
-
-
4,081
Governance costs
29,417
-
-
29,417
Total expenditure
4
996,092
-
253,529
1,249,621
Total income less tota expenditure
154,570
-
329,552
484,122
Net gains (losses) on investments
180,640
-
-
180,640
Net income (expenditure) before transfers
335,210
-
329,552
664,762
Transfers between funds
-
-
-
-
Net income (expenditure)
335,210
-
329,552
664,762
Balances brought forward 1 January
3,381,304
8,123,801
22,839
11,527,944
Balances carried forward 31 December
3,716,514
8,123,801
352,391
12,192,706
Unrestricted funds		 2022
General
fund
Designated
fund
Restricted
fund
£
£
£
361,759
266,291
-
95,468
-
251,438
251,438
-
-
34,104
34,104
-
-
-
175,763
175,763
-
-
4,574
4,574
-
-
20,825
20,825
-
-
Unrestricted funds
1,150,662
-
583,081
1,733,743		 848,463
752,995
-
95,468
14,766
-
-
14,766
105,701
-
-
105,701
789,321
-
-
789,321
21,109
-
-
21,109
31,697
-
253,529
285,226
4,081
-
-
4,081
29,417
-
-
29,417		 15,666
15,666
-
-
101,179
101,179
-
-
664,791
664,791
-
-
24,356
24,356
-
-
2,111,762
2,007,541
-
104,221
7,093
7,093
-
-
10,500
10,500
-
-
996,092
-
253,529
1,249,621		 2,935,347
2,831,126
-
104,221
154,570
-
329,552
484,122
180,640
-
-
180,640		 (2,086,884)
(2,078,131)
-
(8,753)
(863,435)
(863,435)
-
-
335,210
-
329,552
664,762
-
-
-
-		 (2,950,319)
(2,941,566)
-
(8,753)
-
-
-
-
335,210
-
329,552
664,762
3,381,304
8,123,801
22,839
11,527,944		 (2,950,319)
(2,941,566)
-
(8,753)
14,478,263
6,322,870
8,123,801
31,592
3,716,514
8,123,801
352,391
12,192,706		 11,527,944
3,381,304
8,123,801
22,839

Continuing operations

None of the charity's activities were acquired or discontinued during the above two financial years.

Statement of total recognised gains and losses

The charity has no recognised gains and losses other than those shown above and therefore no separate statement of total recognised gains and losses has been presented.

9

The Society of Missionaries of Africa (also known as The White Fathers) Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2023

Notes 2023 2022
£ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 7 8,139,325 8,124,198
Investments at market value 8 3,768,382 3,600,944
11,907,707 11,725,142
Current assets
Debtors 9 831,657 34,398
Cash at bank and in hand 619,987 1,632,553
1,451,644 1,666,951
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year 10 (1,166,645) (1,864,149)
284,999 (197,198)
Total assets less current
liabilities 12,192,706 11,527,944
12,192,706 11,527,944
Represented by:
Funds and reserves
General funds 3,716,514 3,381,304
Designated funds 11 8,123,801 8,123,801
11,840,315 11,505,105
Restricted funds 12 352,391 22,839
12,192,706 11,527,944
-

Appoved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf

Denis Starkey Trustee Approved by the trustees on 23rd September 2024

10

The Society of Missionaries of Africa (also known as The White Fathers) Statement of cash flows for the year ended 31 December 2023

Note
Cash generated in operating activities
A
Cash flows from investing acivities
Investment income
Proceeds of investment sales
Purchases of investments
Net proceeds on sale of assets
Cash provided (used) in investing activities
Increase in cash and cash equivalents in year
Movement in year
(Decrease) increase in cash at bank and in hand
(Decrease) increase in cash held by investment managers for re-investment		 2023
£
(1,179,172)
154,904
1,209,664
(1,178,624)
19,200
184,444
(994,728)
(1,012,565)
17,837
(994,728)		 2022
£
383,775
175,763
184,743
(165,553)
1,530
196,483
580,258
576,699
3,559
580,258

A. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities

Net income (expenditure)
Deduct investment income
Add depreciation
Profit on sale of assets
Add/(deduct) net movement on investments.
Increase (decrease) in creditors
(Increase) decrease in debtors		 2023
£
664,762
(154,904)
5,573
(19,200)
(180,640)
(697,504)
(797,259)
(1,179,172)		 2022
£
(2,950,319)
(175,763)
2,648
(1,530)
863,435
1,373,884
1,271,420
383,775

11

The Society of Missionaries of Africa (also known as The White Fathers) Principal Accounting policies for the year ended 31 December 2023

1 Basis of preparation and assessment of going concern

The trust constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Trust's ability to continue as a going concern.

2 Income

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably. Donations, are recognised when the Trust has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date.

Legacies are recognised on a case by case basis following the granting of probate when the administrator/executor for the estate has communicated in writing both the amount and settlement date.

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due. This is normally upon notification by our investment advisor of the dividend yield in the investment portfolio.

3 Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

The cost of generating funds includes the fees paid to investment managers in respect of the management of the charity's investment portfolios.

Expenditure on charitable activities comprises direct expenses incurred on the defined charitable purposes of the charity and includes staff costs attributable to the activity.

Governance costs comprise of expenditure on compliance with and advice on constitutional and statutory matters. As all expenditure can be attributed to specific categories no apportionment between heading has been necessary. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the items of expenditure to which it relates.

4 Tangible fixed assets

Freehold land and buildings are included at a valuation based either on a value estimated by the trustees in 1999 or on historical cost. The Trustees do not consider that the expense of a professional valuation in order to ascertain the separate values of the land and buildings is justified.

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life: Plant, equipment, fixtures and fittings 20% or 25% on cost. Motor vehicles 25% on cost .

After five years plant, equipment, fixtures and fittings with a net book value of nil are written out of the accounts as in the opinion of the Trustees such assets have a negligible residual value.

5 Foreign currencies

Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. All differences are taken to the profit and loss account.

12

The Society of Missionaries of Africa (also known as The White Fathers) Principal Accounting policies for the year ended 31 December 2023

6 Investments

Investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price. The statement of financial activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluation and disposals throughout the year.

The Trust does not acquire put options, derivatives or other complex financial instruments.

The main form of financial risk faced by the charity is that of volatility in equity markets and investment markets due to wider economic conditions, the attitude of investors to investment risk, and changes in sentiment concerning equities and within particular sectors or sub sectors.

All gains and losses are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities as they arise. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and their opening carrying value or their purchase value if acquired subsequent to the first day of the financial year.

Unrealised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between the fair value at the year end and their carrying value. Realised and unrealised investment gains and losses are combined in the Statement of Financial Activities.

7 Fund accounting

The general fund comprises those monies, which may be used towards meeting the charitable objectives of the charity at the discretion of the Trustees.

The designated funds are monies set aside out of general funds and designated for specific purposes by the Trustees.

The restricted funds are monies raised for, and their use restricted to, a specific purpose, or donations subject to donor imposed conditions.

8 Taxation

The Trust, as a registered charity, is exempt from taxation on its income and gains falling within Section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that they are applied to its charitable objectives. No tax charge has arisen in the year.

13

The Society of Missionaries of Africa (also known as The White Fathers) Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023

General fund
Designated
fund
Restricted
fund
2023
2022 General fund
Designated
fund
Restricted
fund
1
Voluntary income
Appeals, donations and legacies
£
£
£
£
£
£
Mission appeals and donations
258,699
-
104,564
363,263
310,792
215,324
-
95,468
Legacies
378,254
-
478,517
856,771
50,967
50,967
-
-
636,953
-
583,081
1,220,034
361,759
266,291
-
95,468
Salaries, stipends and pensions
Salaries and stipends
15,764
-
-
15,764
15,042
15,042
-
-
Ministry
22,504
-
-
22,504
19,946
19,946
-
-
Pensions
254,453
-
-
254,453
216,450
216,450
-
-
292,721
-
-
292,721
251,438
251,438
-
-
Salaries, ministry and pensions are the earned income of the Members gift-aided to the trust
2
Investment income
Dividends and interest from investments
154,351
-
-
154,351
175,672
175,672
-
-
Bank and other interest
553
-
-
553
91
91
-
-
154,904
-
-
154,904
175,763
175,763
-
-
3
Pastoral activities
Upkeep of Communities
Premises
183,040
-
-
183,040
147,129
147,129
-
-
Community and personal
606,281
-
-
606,281
517,662
517,662
-
-
789,321
-
789,321
664,791
664,791
-
4
Net incoming (outgoing) resources before transfers
This is stated after charging (crediting)
Staff (note 5)
240,234
-
-
240,234
225,744
225,744
-
-
Auditors remuneration
-
-
-
-
6,400
6,400
-
-
Accounting and other
-
-
-
-
4,100
4,100
-
-
Depreciation of owned assets
5,573
-
-
5,573
2,648
2,648
-
-
5
Staff costs
2023
2022
£
£
Staff costs during the year were as follows:
Wages and salaries
223,099
213,259
Social security costs
13,214
9,528
Pension contributions
3,921
2,957
240,234
225,744
The average number of employees, analysed by function was:
Administrative
3
4
Domestic
10
7
Total
13
11
No employee earned more than £60,000 per annum (including benefits) during the year or in the previous year.		 2022 General fund
Designated
fund
Restricted
fund
£
£
£
310,792
215,324
-
95,468
50,967
50,967
-
-		 2022 General fund
Designated
fund
Restricted
fund
£
£
£
310,792
215,324
-
95,468
50,967
50,967
-
-
361,759
266,291		 -
95,468
15,042
15,042
19,946
19,946
216,450
216,450		 -
-
-
-
-
-
251,438
251,438		 -
-
175,672
175,672
91
91		 -
-
-
-
175,763
175,763		 -
-
147,129
147,129
517,662
517,662		 -
-
-
-
664,791
664,791		 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2023
2022
£
£
223,099
213,259
13,214
9,528
3,921
2,957
240,234
225,744
3
4
10
7
13
11

Trustees

As members of the Order the Trustees’ living expenses during the year were borne by the Trust but the trustees received no remuneration or other benefits in connection with their duties as Trustees during the year or in the previous year.

6 Taxation

The trust as a registered charity, is exempt from taxation on its income and gains falling within Section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that they are applied to its charitable objectives. No tax charge has arisen in the year.

Tangible fixed assets
Cost
At 1 January 2023
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2023
Depreciation
At 1 January 2023
Charge for the year
On disposals
At 31 December 2023
Net book value
At 31 December 2023
At 31 December 2022		 Freehold
land and
buildings
Motor
vehicles
Furniture
and
equipment
Total
£
£
£
£
8,123,801
100,687
-
8,224,488
-
20,700
-
20,700
-
(40,319)
-
(40,319)
8,123,801
81,068
-
8,204,869
-
100,290
-
100,290
-
5,573
-
5,573
-
(40,319)
-
(40,319)
-
65,544
-
65,544
8,123,801
15,524
-
8,139,325
8,123,801
397
-
8,124,198

7 Tangible fixed assets

14

The Society of Missionaries of Africa (also known as The White Fathers) Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023

8 Investments

Investments
Market value at 1 January 2023
Additions at cost
Sale proceeds from disposals
Net gain (loss) in year
Market value at 31 December 2023
Cash held by investment managers for re-investment
Cost of listed investments at 31 December 2023
Debtors
Due from other Provinces
Legacies receivable
Sundry debtors
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Held for Missions and Missionaries
Due to Generalate and other Provinces
Masses unsaid
Accruals		 2023
2022
£
£
3,581,172
4,463,797
1,178,624
165,553
(1,209,664)
(184,743)
180,640
(863,435)
3,730,772
3,581,172
37,610
19,772
3,768,382
3,600,944
3,108,174
3,240,272
2023
2022
£
£
24,347
10,477
797,994
19,121
9,316
4,800
831,657
34,398
2023
2022
£
£
99,410
109,938
944,418
1,670,815
29,348
23,936
8,000
8,000
1,166,645
1,864,149

9 Debtors

10 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

11 Designated funds

The income funds of the charity includes the following designated funds, set aside from the unrestricted funds of the trust by the trustees for specific purposes:

Capital
12 Restricted fund
Mission fund
St Anthony's Novena and Burse Fund		 At 1 January
2023
£
8,123,801
8,123,801		 Transfers
Incoming
resources
Utilised/
realised
At 31
December
2023
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
8,123,801
-
-
-
8,123,801
At 1 January
2022
Income
Expenditure
At 31
December
2022
£
£
£
£
-
230,690
(230,690)
-
22,839
352,391
(22,839)
352,391
22,839
583,081
(253,529)
352,391

The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows: The Mission fund represents funds received in respect of specific mission activities.

St Anthony's Novena and Burse fund represents funds received for the training of White Father candidates.

13 Analysis of net assets between funds

Fund balances at 31 December 2023
are represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors: amounts falling		 General fund
Designated
fund
Restricted
fund
2023
£
£
£
3,783,906
8,123,801
-
11,907,707
1,099,253
-
352,391
1,451,644
(1,166,645)
-
(1,166,645)
3,716,514
8,123,801
352,391
12,192,706		 2022 General fund
Designated
fund
Restricted
fund
£
£
£
£
11,725,142
3,601,341
8,123,801
-
1,666,951
1,644,112
-
22,839
(1,864,149)
(1,864,149)
-
-
11,527,944
3,381,304
8,123,801
22,839

15