Executive Director of Caritas Freetown and President of Sierra Leone Priests Association
Reverend Father Peter Konteh, a dedicated Catholic Priest ordained on April 9, 1996, amidst the turmoil of Sierra Leone’s brutal 10-year civil war, has spent over 30 years balancing pastoral duties and social work with remarkable dedication. Growing up in a devout Catholic family, Fr. Peter, as he is affectionately known, displayed an earlypassion for service.
He began his mission among street children in the congested slums of Freetown and extended his support to Catholic Priests and the local community in numerous impactful ways. Fr. Peter’s commitment to dedicated service led him to enter the college seminary for priestly formation where he earned degrees in Philosophy and Humanities. His education was complemented by professional training and extensive experience in pastoral, humanitarian, and relief work.
During the civil war, he co-founded the Inter-Religious Council, playing a crucial role in the peace talks between
the Sierra Leonean government and the RevolutionaryUnitedFront (RUF).
When journalists fled the country, Fr. Peter became the voice of the war’s horrors, reporting for the BBC. He also
managed refugee and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, earning recognition from the UNHCR for his integrity and exceptional management. His humanitarian efforts transcended religious and national boundaries, ensuring that war-affected and suffering individuals receivedessential support.
In 1997, Fr. Peter founded St. Mary’s Children’s Home in Bo to care for war orphans. This institution has since
nurtured many children who have gone on to attend university. Post-war, he oversaw the reconstruction of the where
he earned degrees in Philosophy and Humanities. His education was complemented by professional training and extensive experience in pastoral, humanitarian,andrelief work. During the Ebola outbreak, Fr. Peter’s leadership within Caritas Freetown was instrumental in raising awareness, training response teams, and ensuring dignified burials.
His advocacy extended to the international stage, presenting to the US Senate and the UK House of Commons to garner support. His proactive disaster response strategies have made Caritas Freetown a critical player in managing crises, including the 2017and2019 floods.
Fr. Peter’s commitment to human rights and education is evident through his collaboration with the Desert Flower Foundation, which campaigns against female genital mutilation and supports over 900 girls in Sierra Leone. He is a board member of this international body and leads its efforts locally. His leadership extends to numerous roles, including President of the National Catholic Priests Association in SierraLeone, Chairman and Technical Supervisor
for Healey International Relief Foundation, and Technical Advisor for The FigTree Children Foundation.
As a parish priest, Fr. Peter draws strength from his pastoral duties, serving both rural and urban communities.
Currently, Fr. Peter is the CEO of Christ the King Hospital, a specialized child hospital in Waterloo, and St. Mary’s
Fatima Interim Care Center, which supports 24 children. His unwavering dedication to humanitarian efforts,
child protection, and women’s empowerment underscores his exceptional leadership. In terms of his academic background, Fr. Peter holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a Bachelor of SacredTheology (BST).
Additionally, he has a Master’s degree in Development Studies. His professional experience spans over 20
years as the Executive Director of Caritas Freetown, and he has served for 4 years as the Vice President of
CaritasAfrica. Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh, a distinguished leader in the Catholic Church, serves as the Vice President of the West African Priests Association and the President of Priests in Sierra Leone. His leadership roles underscore his exceptional commitment to fostering unity and advancing themission of the Church across the region.