Rev. Fr. Joseph Emmanuel Bangura was born in Freetown to the late SLA 18160915, warrant Officer I (RSM) Bangura A. S. and late Mrs Agnes Fatu Bangura on the 11th day of March 1971. Fr. Bangura has a brother, Alfred and four sisters – Kadiatu, Jane. Marion and Annie.
He attended the Services Children’s School, Wilberforce (From Class1-5), Services Primary School, Benguema (From class 6-7) and St. Edward’s Secondary School, May park Kingtom Freetown and later Christ the King College where he took the GCE O’level exams .
He finally entered St. Paul’s Major Seminary in Makeni on the 26th September, 1993. After the first four years of hard studies, he graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and humanities (B.A. Phil.). He was assigned for perfecting at St Augustine’s Junior Seminary cum St Theresa’s Parish, in Bo.
He then returned to the Major Seminary in 1998. Fr. Bangura was ordained Deacon on the 1st April, 2001, in St. Luke’s Church, Wilberforce, Freetown together with Michael Selenga Bassie, Philip sandy Lebbie and David.
They were later ordained to the priesthood on the 20th April 2001 at the Immaculate Heart Church, Bo by His Grace, Most Reverend. Joseph H Ganda of Blessed memory.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Sacred Theology (BST) in June that same year.
Fr. Bangura since his ordination has worked and served in several positions. After his ordination, together with his class mates spent a year at the Priestly formation centre at the Bishop’s House at Thunder Hill, Freetown. Upon completion, he was appointed as the Rector and of the St. Augustine Junior Seminary (2002-2008) and Vocations Director of the then Archdiocese of Freetown and Bo, and later Parish Priest of St. Theresa’s Parish, Bo (2006-2008).
After diligently working both at the seminary and the Parish, Fr. Bangura was sent to the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) for further studies in Nigeria (2008-2010). Fr. Bangura studied Sacred liturgy and graduated with Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL). Upon his return home, he was assigned to the St. Luke’s Parish, Wilberforce for a year.
In 2011, he was appointed to St. Paul Major Seminary, Freetown as a formator, lecturer and bursar . He served in this capacity till 2023.
He also served as assistant Priest in Charge at currently St Pauls’ Quasi Parish and later as the Priests in-charge of Blessed Michael Tansi Quasi Parish, Godrich .
In the area of administration and other ecclesiastical positions, Fr. Bangura is the Archdiocesan Liturgist and secretary to the ITCABIC Liturgical Commission. He is also Deputy Director, Caritas Freetown.