Obituaries - MISSIONARIES OF AFRICA - 2021 / N - Mafrome
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NECROLOGIE a pag 66.qxp_speciale 07/04/21 08:46 Pagina 1
2021 / N SPECIAL
Obituaries
MISSIONARIES OF AFRICA
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EDITOR’S WORD
SINCE DECEMBER 1912
PETIT ECHO Harvest time
Society of the
Missionaries of Africa There are always limits to any image
2021/N n° SPECIAL used in expressing a reality; the same is
10 ISSUES YEARLY
PUBLISHED BY
THE GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE SOCIETY
true of the Sower’s image who, by planting
Editorial Board the seed, was already anticipating the time
Francis Barnes, Asst. Gen. of harvest. The Sower knows when to sow
André Simonart, Sec. Gen.
Patient Bahati his seed; he knows the alternation of seasons.
Freddy Kyombo On the other hand, the seed has no choice
Editor
Freddy Kyombo but to trust the one who planted it. It has no
petitecho@mafrome.org idea what the future holds for it, what trans-
Translations formations it will have to undergo; it does
Jean-Paul Guibila
Steve Ofonikot not know what the season will be like, it
Jean-Pierre Sauge does not even know what it will be used
Administrative Secretary for. It has a vocation that it will discover in
Addresses and Dispatch
Odon Kipili time: bearing fruit, fruits that will delight
gmg.sec.adm@mafr.org the Sower and all his family.
Editorial Services
Guy Theunis
And when it has borne fruit, and the
Dominique Arnauld Sower judges that the time for harvest has
Correspondents come, he will help the little seed to fulfill
Provincial/Sector Secretaries
Msola, Rome its vocation by offering all that it has pro-
Internet duced as fruit, in a “generous gathering”,
Philippe Docq
gmg.webmaster@mafr.org
like in the refrain: “To love is to offer eve-
Archives
rything and to offer oneself”.
Photographs provided by the Let us live each day as a time of harvest,
M.Afr Archives are subject to
permission for any public use
as the day when I must offer everything
Postal Address and offer myself totally.
Padri Bianchi, Via Aurelia 269,
00165 Roma, Italia
Freddy Kyombo
Phone **39 06 3936 34211
Stampa Istituto Salesiano Pio XI Cover:
Tel. 06.78.27.819
E-mail: tipolito@donbosco.it A Easter Cross
Finito di stampare marzo 2021 IMAGE
“And if the law of death afflicts us, the promise of immortality
brings us consolation.” “Indeed for your faithful, Lord, life is
changed but not ended.”
(Preface of the deceased I)
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FOREWORD
Obituaries
Over the years I often noticed how some of the elderly confreres al-
ways start reading the latest copy of the Petit Echo by going through the
obituaries, no doubt because they would know some of those that had
died and whose lives were being remembered. Of late I have been truly
struck by the amazing lives of some of our missionaries. Many of them
started their missionary journey some 60 years ago or more finding
themselves in very difficult conditions and facing real hardships as they
adapted to culture, climate and languages that seemed at first so foreign.
Indeed, they, like Abraham before them, took the risk to set out on jour-
ney to a land that the Lord would show them. Today we talk about our
charism and all that it entails and yet, without maybe such a notion in
their minds, so many of our confreres lived gospel filled lives reaching
out not merely through their preaching and sacramental ministry but
were very much concerned to help the populations they served to
improve their standard of living, their education, their agriculture, their
very way of life. Today we would talk about development, of justice and
peace and dialogue and yet, without necessarily using those terms, they
truly lived those beautiful aspects of our charism.
3
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FOREWORD
In fact, reading through some of these obituaries I personally have
been very inspired and almost in awe at the sheer depth of encounter so
many of our confreres had. They truly identified with their people, a
people they loved and cared for and in fact gave their lives for. Some of
our confreres knew personal suffering in their lives and yet no doubt
this is what made them even more powerful witnesses of the gospel. Yes,
the obituaries are indeed the footprint of our confreres life stories, they
help us remember what could so easily be neglected and thus we cele-
brate their achievements which provide us with a sense of comfort and
community. Of course these are merely snapshots of a life given and
will of course be incomplete. At times such accounts of their lives are
framed in a favourable light without dwelling too much on their foibles
and inconsistencies.
Having said all that I hope it is not just our elderly confreres who
read the obituaries of our departed confreres. Their lives and their mis-
sionary adventure remain inspiring for us all today. Some of them are
well worth printing out and could well be used for a day of recollection
especially in some of our communities or formation houses.
Francis Barnes, 1st Assistant General
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FOREWORD
The Martyrs of Uganda: They gave it all
5
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PROFILES
Paul Zeller
1922 - 2020
P
aul was his teaching career,
born on 26 first at Widnau, then
July 1922, in 1964 at the Afri-
in the village of Ko- canum in Fribourg
belwald (Canton St. and at the Collège
Gallen). He comple- St-Michel. In 1967,
ted his secondary he became boarding
education at the se- school director at
condary school of this college.
Saint-Maurice (Can- On 26 January
ton of Valais). He 1970, he left for Bu-
started his theologi- rundi as a teacher at
cal studies at the the Minor Seminary
University of Fribourg in 1943. In of Mugera, at the same time su-
December 1945, he joined the pervising the financing, provided
White Fathers in Algeria and conti- by the Swiss Cooperation and Mi-
nued his theological studies in Thi- sereor, of the Teacher Training
bar (Tunisia). He took his missio- College in Gitega. In September
nary oath on 29 June 1948, and 1972, he was appointed to the Se-
was ordained priest on 1 February minary for late vocations in Giheta,
1949, also in Thibar. before being transferred the follo-
In August of the same year, he wing year to the Teachers Training
began literary studies at the Uni- College (for girls and boys) in Gi-
versity of Fribourg. In July 1953, tega. He was superior at the Afri-
he was appointed professor in Wid- canum in Friburg from September
nau (canton of St. Gallen); then in 1975 to November 1976, and then
September 1955, he returned to he left for Algeria where he un-
the University to complete his writ- dertook to teach German for a year
ten thesis and prepare for oral exa- at the University of Constantine.
minations for a Doctorate-ès-lettres, On his return to Switzerland,
which he obtained on 23 May he taught at the Heerbrugg Cantonal
1956. He then went on to pursue School and in July 1978, became
6
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PROFILES
superior of the community of Wid- And here is what two of Paul’s
nau again. He was appointed parish former fellow students had to say:
priest of Heerbrugg (Canton of St. “I was a young student at the time
Gallen) in June 1983 and remained and Paul was the rector. I think
there until June 1992. In 2001, he that without him I certainly
joined the community of Lucerne. wouldn’t be WF now... His attention
Upon the sale of the house in Lu- and advice helped me a lot. He
cerne in 2010, he moved to Fri- really cared about people. When
bourg. He relocated to Roggwil he saw someone who was discou-
(Canton Bern) on 12 December raged, he would invite them for a
2014 to stay with Dr. Jörg Michel. discussion to listen to them, en-
He moved to the home of the Good courage them and eventually make
Shepherd Sisters in Schönberg, a decision. ”
Fribourg, in August 2015. Another confrere, a brother, had
Paul Zeller died on February this to say: “I first met Paul in
10, 2020. His entire life was dedi- 1966. I had come to Fribourg to
cated to the formation of young learn French with the Assimil me-
people, both in Africa and in Swit- thod. He, Pater Dr. Paul Zeller was
zerland. His vast culture and affa- teaching at the University. What a
bility contributed to making him surprise to have met a highly qua-
an example of a missionary who lified man who was able to converse
had his feet firmly on the ground, with a young printer like me, wi-
for whom any development requires thout any reserve. Years later, I
in-depth education. had the opportunity of visiting Paul
A confrere testified: “An ener- when he was living in Berikon. In
getic person, Paul already demons- spite of (or because of) the many
trated this in his simple approach experiences which life offered him,
by his way of walking to the Col- he always gave me the impression
lège Saint Michel. I remember him of an honest, frank and very simple
as a very intelligent person who man. To tell the truth, I met in
liked to make his teaching some- Paul one of those rare fellow priests
thing more than merely passing who never show their superiority
exams. Very open-minded, he through a certain clericalism. ”
greatly appreciated the spirit of re- Father Paul had requested a re-
newal manifested during the Chap- ligious celebration in the Africanum
ter that followed the Council. ” chapel. Many confreres from Fri-
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PROFILES
bourg and Veyras and friends, moving Eucharist of the Resur-
among them the White Sisters, at- rection. The prayerful farewell at
tended in large numbers. the cemetery was presided over
His funeral was held in Die- by the dean of the Pastoral Unit. A
poldsau (canton of St. Gallen), a meal in a restaurant in the village
parish in his native region, on Sa- finally brought together all his re-
turday 22 February 2020. The beau- latives and friends.
tiful round church brought together “Father Paul, you have been a
many friends with one heart for a blessing to us” said one parishioner.
Jean-Marie Gabioud
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PROFILES
Robert Laberge
1936 - 2020
R
obert was wever, he showed
born on good judgement.
April 4, Throughout that pe-
1936, in Ste-Made- riod, he proved to
leine Parish in Ou- be a cheerful and
tremont, Montreal. very good compa-
He was the youngest nion, very helpful
son of Raoul La- and dedicated. His
berge and Isabelle sound piety was ba-
Lapointe. He was sed on deep convic-
cherished by his tions.
parents since his
early childhood. His At the end of his
mother overprotected him. She was eight years of secondary school,
the one who took the decisions for to the surprise of many, he took
him until he was a teenager. the decision to join the White Fa-
thers at the Novitiate of St-Martin
Robert did his elementary studies de Laval. This was in August 1956.
at the Académie St-Germain d’Ou- At the end of that year, his formators
tremont. He then began his classical concluded that he had fully grasped
studies at the Collège Jean-de-Bré- the meaning of his vocation and
beuf. As he had to repeat his last the demands of the apostolate but
year, he went to the Externat Clas- that he would need to be guided,
sique St-Viateur to do his two years encouraged and supported in his
of philosophy. And he succeeded. efforts. He continued his missionary
formation at the White Fathers’
During his high school studies, Scholasticate in Eastview on the
after much hard work, determina- outskirts of Ottawa studying theo-
tion and tenacity, he obtained his logy. On January 28, 1961, he
bachelor’s degree in art. He was was ordained priest. In September
slow, very slow in his studies as in of the same year, he was sent to
everything else. He had difficulty London for studies at Goldsmith’s
presenting his ideas clearly. Ho- College. In fact, in directing him
9
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PROFILES
there, the desire of his superiors These three years also included
was to help him to further deepen pastoral and catechetical animation.
what he had been taught at the Following these successful studies,
Scholasticate. Unfortunately, at he asked to teach catechesis in a
the end of the first year, it was school, and became a teacher in
realized that he was incapable of Ville St-Laurent, where he lived
undertaking further studies at this outside community.
level. He was much too slow and
He returned to Laval University
his ideas were lacking in depth.
in Quebec City from 1971 to 1972.
Therefore, his superiors asked that
Thereafter, he went back to Ville
he should stop his studies and leave
St-Laurent where he taught moral
for Tanzania in December 1962.
science (?) and Scripture.
Robert was sent to the Diocese
During the years he was tea-
of Kigoma. He spent five years in
ching, from 1972 to 1996, Robert
this Diocese, working in six diffe-
kept in touch with his confrères,
rent parishes, from December 1962
but this was rather sporadic. Ho-
to December 1967: first in Kabanga,
wever, he did write now and then
then in Kipalapala, again in Ka-
to his Provincial to update him on
banga, and then in Kasumo, in
his work.
Muhinda and finally in Mabamba
in 1966. From there, he returned In the early 1990s, he expe-
to Canada for home-leave. At the rienced serious personal difficulties.
end of his holidays, he was asked He even spent some time at the
to take a course in Tanzania to “Second départ” nursing home. In
prepare him for teaching, but he 1992, those in charge of the school
would rather study in Quebec. His where he taught were disappointed
point of view was however accepted by some of his attitudes and ex-
after dialogue. pressed their intention to discharge
him.
He attended Laval University
in Quebec City from September He took a sick leave between
1968 to May 1970 for catechetical 1993 and 1995. He went through a
studies. He said he needed some deep depression: he didn’t eat nor
ongoing formation and asked to sleep. He even spent some time
be accompanied to better integrate in the psychiatric unit of the Ste-
the Church’s renewal in his life. Agathe Hospital for observation.
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PROFILES
In 1995, he resumed teaching In March 2020, the coordinator
at l’École St-Germain de la of the Provincial House attempted
Commission Scolaire Ste-Croix in a few times to speak to him on the
Ville St-Laurent. He continued to phone, but no one responded. On
teach religion and personal and April 4, the tenant answered the
social training at the secondary phone and told him that Robert
school level. In 1999, he stopped had passed away. Robert died at
teaching. He left his flat in Montreal the hospital in Ste-Agathe-des-
and moved to St-Adèle, where he Monts, in the Laurentians, on March
lived in a cottage-style house. He 18, 2020, at the age of 83. He had
had a tenant living in the basement already been cremated.
and every day he got help from
outside. His family had previously told
the White Fathers that they were
As from 2016 the Provincial taking care of Robert and that they
visited him every year. In one of didn’t rely for this at all on the
these visits, he invited Robert to White Fathers. That was probably
get closer to his confreres because the reason why the White Fathers
his health was failing. But Robert were not informed that Robert had
would rather stay in Ste-Adèle be- been taken to the hospital and that
cause, he said, he was in good he had died there. May Robert
company. rest in peace!
Jacques Charron
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PROFILES
Pierre Landry
1927 - 2020
P
ierre was positively to God’s
born on call. The courage of
October this bishop was for
18, 1927 in Carle- him the grace from
ton-sur-mer, Baie- God which finally
des-Chaleurs. His allowed him to ans-
parents, Émile Lan- wer “yes” to the call
dry and Anna-Marie he felt. After four
Allard, had thirteen years of theology at
children; Pierre was Eastview, he was
the youngest. It was ordained Priest on
from his mother that January 30, 1954.
he first came into One of his teachers
contact with the idea of missionary remarked about him at the end
life. When he was very young, he of his third year: “Excellent student.
prayed with her in the evenings He will do well on the missions
for the missionaries. no matter what work he might
After his primary school studies be given. ”
in Carleton, he entered the Gaspé He was sent to London to study
Seminary in 1941 to begin his clas- education after his ordination. Two
sical studies. These eight years years later, in August 1956, he left
spent under the direction of the London by ship for Uganda. There
Clerics of Saint-Viateur were filled he was in Entebbe, more precisely
with various activities. But he ad- in Bugonga, for the initiation into
mitted himself that he preferred his pastoral work. The following
team sports to Greek and Latin. year, he became director of a Tea-
Then he decided to join the White chers’ College in Busubizi where
Fathers and entered the novitiate he trained young teachers.
at Saint-Martin de Laval. The wit- In 1961, he returned to Canada
ness of a bishop of the Priests of for a rest and was then appointed
the Foreign Missions leaving for head of the procure in Moncton.
China greatly helped him to respond He would then visit parishes and
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PROFILES
schools in the Maritime Provinces. He was good and generous. He
He even travelled as far as New- was welcoming and liked to meet
foundland. Four years later, he re- people. He was a good pastor, at
turned to Busubizi College in the service of his parishioners, and
Uganda as Chaplain to the Students they liked him”.
and Tutor in Religious Education
After his 30-day retreat in Je-
until 1970. He had excellent me-
rusalem in 1990, he returned to
mories of those five years.
Uganda until 1998. He was at times
He then went back to pastoral parish priest and sometimes curate
ministry in Nnaluggi for four years. in different parishes in the dioceses
In 1975, he arrived in Bukalagi, a of Kampala and Kiyinda. He wor-
larger and more populous mission ked on the launching of small
where he stayed for 14 years until Christian communities. The Chris-
1989. It was during this period tians jointly learnt how to defend
that leaders and catechists took on their rights, to solve their commu-
more and more responsibility in nity problems and to pray with the
the Church. It was also the time Word of God.
when small Christian Communities
emerged. These years, he later He returned to Canada in 1998,
wrote, “were among the most en- and was reappointed to Moncton.
riching moments of my missionary He did missionary animation and
life”. Let us not forget that it was also accepted to become bursar.
also during these years that Uganda In 2001, he expressed the desire
experienced political turmoil; five to return to Quebec because of his
years of civil war with Obote fol- health.
lowed the eight years of terror He was then appointed to Len-
under Amin. noxville, where he revealed his
A confrere who knew him well beautiful personality. He showed
in Uganda said of him: “Pierre good judgement; many asked him
had a frank and direct way of spea- for advice and trusted his opinions.
king. There was no pretense in As usual, he read a lot and was up
him. He was real. When he decided to date on everything that was hap-
to do something, one could be sure pening in the world. He was always
that it would be done and that it of service to the community. He
would be well done. He had quali- visited the sick. He enjoyed ac-
ties that tempered his personality. companying the confreres to their
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PROFILES
medical appointments. He enjoyed mobility he had left, he still liked
tending the lawn in front of the to move around with his walker or
house. He was also an artist, and with his two canes. As from the
emphasized both the liturgical times beginning of 2020 he needed help
and the birthdays of the confreres to get around. He remained in his
with drawings on the refectory no- room from 15 June onwards and
tice board. had to ask for help to get from his
But the last years of his life were wheelchair to his bed. Such de-
difficult. A confrere noted: “His pendency was painful for him; it
physical strength was failing him, was difficult for him to accept that
his legs could barely support him, he had to rely on others all the
and his movements became increa- time.
singly difficult. At one point he On June 25, he was taken to
suffered a stroke. His speech was the emergency unit of the “Hôtel
greatly impaired so that any conver- Dieu” in Sherbrooke. On July 13,
sation became difficult. It was as if he died in hospital. He was 92
misfortune was raining down on years old.
him, but he accepted this new suf- His funeral took place in Len-
fering with courage and without noxville on July 24th, surrounded
complaint. With his usual determi- by his confreres. The next after-
nation, Pierre did not give up. ” noon, the 25th, a liturgy of the
Pierre began to show signs of Word was celebrated with his fa-
great fatigue from 2018. However, mily at the Elkias Funeral Home
in order to maintain what little in Sherbrooke.
Jacques Charron
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PROFILES
Eugenio Bacaicoa
1941 - 2020
E
ugenio metown: a compul-
was born sory stopover on
in Puente the Camino of St.
la Reina (Navarre) James, with its an-
on 15 November cient churches and
1941. His parents, convents, and its
Higínio and Jesusa, beautiful Roman
had nine children, Bridge which is the
he was the fourth. gateway to Santiago
de Compostela.
Eugenio liked to
remember and re- A priest from
peat, with a mischie- Burkina Faso, whom
vous smile, the classic words of Eugenio had encouraged to go to
all the grandmothers in the world: the seminary in his youth, also re-
“My grandson is the most hand- membered him: “Father Bacaicoa
some of all and the most intelligent was a great missionary in my dio-
in his class at school”. The truth is cese, an animator of Christian
that all of us who had been fortunate communities, close to the people,
enough to live with him in Africa a shepherd of young people, a gui-
or Spain can say that Eugenio was tarist and singer, a courageous
a great confrere and friend, opti- apostle”.
mistic and always in good spirits,
a solid pillar in community life, Eugenio had followed the clas-
which we could affectionately de- sical formation of the White Fathers
fine as “un fanfarrón humilde”, at the time: The Minor Seminary
that is to say, a humble boaster. It and Philosophy, at the Seminary
is no wonder that he was born in of Pamplona; the Novitiate in Gap,
Puente la Reina! If you didn’t France, (1963-1964) and Theology,
know it, you would quickly find in Heverlee, Belgium. After his
out the moment you greeted him ordination to the priesthood on
for the first time, because he was June 29, 1968, he went to Upper
so proud of his family and his ho- Volta, now known as Burkina Faso,
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PROFILES
in the Diocese of Diebougou, where (1999-2005), in a large territory
he worked with the Lobis and Da- extending as far as Zinder in Niger.
garas. His first missionary years For this new mission, he had to
were in the parishes of Kampti, travel many kilometers to visit and
Niego and Batie. animate the communities of
confreres, which were still nume-
In 1972, Eugenio was appointed
rous at the time. The current Pro-
Provincial Councilor. Shortly af-
vincial of the PAO (Francophone
terwards he was appointed parish
West African Province), Fr. Luc
priest and, much later, he was part
Kola, remembers him in these
of the last community of White
terms: “We can say that the mis-
Fathers in the Diocese of Diebou-
gou. Eugenio often recounted that sionary life of our confrere Eugène
after the holidays, when returning Bacaicoa was very rich and full of
to Africa, he would leave the family important responsibilities in terms
home early in the morning to avoid of formation, parish ministry, and
making his elderly parents suffer in the tasks of running the Society,
a painful separation! both in Spain and in Chad and
Burkina Faso”.
In 1977, Eugenio was appointed
to missionary animation in Spain, During all these years, Eugenio
more precisely in Bilbao. The Spa- kept a secret that only his friends
nish province would later ask him knew: on Sunday afternoons, he
for his services again in 1987, as would isolate himself in his room
confrere in charge of the “Africa- to follow the sports news on the
num” and of the small group of Spanish National Radio. With him,
students at the formation center. we had to celebrate or be sad, de-
pending on the results of his two
In 1993, Eugenio returned with favourite football teams: Osasuna
other confreres to Africa, with a and Barça.
new mission in another country,
Chad: he was assigned to a school In 2005, Eugenio returned to
for catechists in Bendone, in the Spain for good because of his fra-
diocese of Doba. When his contract gile skin, which compelled him to
with this diocese for this work ex- stay away from the African sun.
pired, Eugenio returned to Burkina From his residence at the “Africa-
Faso. There he was appointed Re- num” in Madrid, now without stu-
gional Superior of Burkina Faso dents, he was helping out with the
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PROFILES
various missionary animation ser- The last post in his missionary
vices of the Spanish Province, life was Pamplona, in 2017. It is
mainly in collaboration with the said that “Elephants go back to
SCAM (Servicio Conjunto de Ani- die where they were born”. Euge-
mación Misionera) and the ani- nio’s state of health had gradually
mation of prayer groups of young deteriorated over the last few
people with a missionary spirit and months, and as a result, he was
an interest in Africa. admitted to the “Beloso Alto”
convalescent home in Pamplona
Eugenio also offered his pastoral on the 26th of June.
services to the Archdiocese of Ma-
drid, as Coordinator of the Mis- However, he was not able to
sionary Service of Vicariate nº I return to his normal life despite
of Madrid, and from 2013 to 2017, the good treatment he received.
as parish priest of “El Berrueco” He quietly returned to the Father’s
and two other neighbouring villages home on the 21st of July 2020. In
in the mountains of Madrid. He accordance with his wish, he was
lived there happily during these buried with his parents in the family
years of apostolate, a time of silence vault at the cemetery in his home-
and prayer. It was perhaps dreaming town, Puente la Reina.
of one of the other charisms of the
monks that led him to produce a Eugenio, our memory and our
liqueur of Navarrese origin: “Pa- fraternal prayer accompany you.
charán”. He said it was the best of Rest in the eternal Peace of the
all liqueurs and he kept it for his Lord!
visitors and friends... Juan José Osés
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PROFILES
Jean-Bernard Delannoy
1945 - 2020
J
ean-Bernard Sacred Heart School
was not in in Halluin before
the chapel on completing a mo-
Wednesday 29 July dern sixth form in
2020, when we star- Etaimpuis at St Jean
ted Morning Prayers Baptiste de la Salle
at 7.40 am. This was College. He then
not normal because went to Bonnelles
every morning just to study classics in
one minute after he the sixth form up to
arrived in the chapel the baccalaureate,
we would start the but he did not
prayer: he was set to complete the second
the minute! When the prayer was part of his studies: Philosophy. He
over, one of us went to his room entered the Postulancy in September
and found him dying. We imme- 1964 and was at the novitiate in
diately called the Ambulance Ser- Gap from 1965 to 1967. It was
vice. They arrived promptly, but it there that he took his first temporary
was too late. He was already dead. Oath on 24/06/1967 as a brother.
The efforts to resuscitate him did
not succeed. Jean-Bernard died He was sent to Mours for tech-
while his community was celebrating nical and pastoral training: and
the Eucharist: it was he who, as sa- was assigned to the locksmith’s
cristan, had prepared everything, workshop. The instructor noted:
as usual, the evening before. “good and precise work, calm and
orderly, regular at work, with good
Jean-Bernard was born on 15 qualities as a fitter”. Besides he
September 1945 in Halluin into a put his qualities as a musician at
family of chocolate manufacturers. his brothers’ service by leading
He had two brothers and four sis- the songs and joined a YCW group
ters. They were a Christian family for his apostolate, where he was
in a bourgeois style, yet very simple. very well accepted and esteemed
He did his primary studies at the by his companions.
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PROFILES
After his military service in Ja- ternal activities in Bobo, hosting
nuary 1970, he joined the Neuwiller groups from outside, such as the
students’ hostel in Strasbourg. He JEC”. His questions about his mis-
did an internship to prepare for a sionary life as a “brother” remained:
“brevet de dessinateur en technique he recounted his last insertions in
de bâtiment” at the C.F.P.A. in France “with some young YCW
Metz. It was towards the end of workers, military service with young
this internship that he received his people, and professional training
first appointment to Africa. He course: with them I had a desire to
was stunned, as there was nothing experience Jesus Christ. ”
at all in line with the training he
was completing: he was appointed After a year as bursar of the
bursar at the Major Seminary of Seminary, Jean Bernard moved to
Koumi in Upper Volta (Burkina another region to work in the ‘Cen-
Faso). It came as a great shock to tre d’animation rurale’ of Tominian
him. He explained how he unders- community in Zoura in the diocese
tood the vocation of a brother to of San (Mali), he became involved
which he decided to commit him- in development work and took part
self: “the role of the brother in in the language course. There, he
Africa is to penetrate and perfect developed a taste for his work as a
the temporal order with the spirit rural animator. He made his final
of the Gospel. The brother conse- commitment to the Society during
crates his life by working more his first home leave in France
directly with the people so that through the Perpetual Oath, which
they can live in more humane he took in his home parish on 11
conditions, and this is develop- January 1976.
ment”, he wrote.
Upon his return to Mali, he re-
Despite his apprehensions, he sumed his work in rural animation
arrived in Koumi at the beginning before responding to a request from
of November, having passed his the bishop of San to take over on
final exam, and he set to work. Gra- two occasions as bursar at the
dually, he discovered the complexity Minor Seminary of Togo and to
of his work as a bursar and life in become the diocesan treasurer. Be-
the seminary: “quite traditional, but sides helping with improving
very open; formation of committees Togo’s premises, he gave several
among the seminarians, various ex- lessons and spiritual talks.
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PROFILES
In 1991, he took part in the ses- In 2016, he returned to Mours
sion retreat in Jerusalem: it was where he looked after various ser-
an intense moment to reflect on vices in the community: he was al-
his life and his commitment to ways regular when he was on duty
Mali. He was highly appreciated at the reception desk and very tho-
during his time in Africa for his rough in maintaining the premises
participation in community life, for the scouts who would come to
his openness and pleasant rela- camp for the weekend. Everything
tionships where he would joke as was always ready on time when he
well as engage in serious conver- took charge of the sacristy. He
sation and contribute his point of knew how to adorn the chapel, re-
view. He was deeply spiritual and ceive or prepare beautiful bouquets,
wanted to remain so. In his work, water them and collect fallen petals
he often gave the impression of a or leaves. It seemed that even the
lack of self-confidence, and the flowers were shocked at his sudden
responsibilities weighed heavily departure: there was a whole flo-
on him. werbed of petals at the foot of the
The return to France in 1993 statues of St Joseph and the Virgin
marked the beginning of a new Mary the day after his death!
chapter in his life: he became in- Jean Bernard was always ready
volved in several communities, to help with the singing or anima-
looking after the finances and at tion of the office. He was appre-
the same time taking care of his ciated and trusted in the community
health. He was in Billère, Toulouse, and was chosen to be a member of
Paris-Printemps, Saint Gratien, the house’s select council; he was
Mours and Paris-Verlomme. He a good counsellor who never criti-
sought always some sort of social cized. He always had a big smile
commitment wherever possible, as he carried out his various tasks
particularly with the Secours Ca- and the many small services he
tholique. Jean-Bernard was very offered to everyone.
conscientious, humble and discreet
in his work as a bursar. He was In addition to his participation
someone you could count on. Jean- in community life, Jean Bernard
Bernard liked to work in the sacristy volunteered to continue his service
and was ready to participate in the with the local branch of Secours
liturgy and share in it if asked. Catholique in Persan and twice a
20NECROLOGIE a pag 66.qxp_speciale 07/04/21 08:46 Pagina 21
PROFILES
week, he went out on his bicycle he would never talk about it in pu-
to assure the reception of migrants blic and always tried to play things
or the needy. There were several down. And he was a man of great
members of the Secours Catholique faith, who lived it. He took part in
team present at his funeral. the small Bible-sharing group or-
ganized in the community with the
He died on the feast day of St lay people of neighbourhood.
Martha. He was a man of service,
like her, attentive to many small The Christian community that
things. He would never have had used to meet in our chapel, two of
the reflection of Jesus to Martha, his sisters, and several confreres
“you worry, and you get agitated from the Paris area were able to
about many things”, because he join the community to celebrate
was a calm and attentive man. If his entry into the Father’s house.
someone encroached on his res- His smile and life-giving example
ponsibilities without telling him, remain engraved in our hearts.
Jean Chaptal
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PROFILES
René Ledeul
1935 - 2020
FAMILY was his vocation and
R
ené was in 1951, at the age
born on of 16, he asked to
the 10th go to the Brothers’
January 1935, in the postulancy in Antilly
municipality of where he received a
Cuillé, in the depart- different kind of spi-
ment of Mayenne. ritual and practical
He was the second training. He spent a
in a family of nine year there before
children, the last being admitted to
were triplets. His fa- the Brothers’ novi-
ther was a butcher and his mother tiate in Bonnelles.
helped him out. The family was He received the habit on the 10th
deeply Christian and the children September 1952. At that time the
were sent to the Catholic school Brothers had their own novitiate
in Combré. René had difficulties which lasted two years. They were
with his studies as he later confes- given a ‘religious name’ and René
sed. He did not see himself em- was known as ‘Brother Irenaeus’
bracing an academic career. He (he would say that he simply added
thought instead of a missionary the letter ‘i’ before his baptismal
vocation. name!). The novice master, Father
Leduc, stressed his good health,
FORMATION balance and common sense. Ire-
He went to the Minor Seminary naeus stood out both for his piety
of the White Fathers in Altkirch, and his practical sense, managing
in Alsace. There too, studying was to learn the trades of shoemaker,
difficult for him. He was impressed cook, carpenter and mechanic in
by the example of the old Brother just a few months. One sees in
Rodolphe and he had the opportu- him a “soul capable of becoming
nity to read a brochure on the Mis- a brother of great resourcefulness”.
sionary Brothers. He felt that this He was therefore sent to Mours to
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PROFILES
complete his training as a brother. He will stay there for ten years.
At the school for the older Brothers, He followed in the footsteps of
he broadened his skills: carpentry, his predecessors, brothers Joseph
industrial drawing, car mechanics, and Menu. A perfect dream for
welding, electricity, building... This him! Using an old truck, he would
was the model of the traditional travel the Sahara in all directions,
Brother who was expected to be from south to north, transporting
polyvalent. He deepened his vo- gravel, cement, metal frames and
cation and took his first temporary windows for the works undertaken
oaths. by his confreres priests. The ALN
soldiers across the country knew
ALGERIA
him well, with his unique style.
He then interrupted his training The Arabic language barely entered
to do his military service as sergeant his head. He used to relax in the
in charge of looking after the rail swimming pool of the Foreign Le-
transport for the army. This was gion still present at that time. He
his first contact with Algeria, which pretended to be the Chaplain of
was then fighting for its indepen- the Legion (A Holy lie!). He was
dence. In 1958 he returned to spend a man of all trades: welder, elec-
a few months in Mours before re- trician, painter, plumber, transpor-
ceiving his first appointment. ter... He was called everywhere:
at the service of schools, profes-
He was able to put his skills at
sional training centers, Caritas...,
the service of the Novitiate which
and he knew the desert, loving its
had just moved from Maison Carrée
solitude, its beauty, its silence
to Gap. While helping to set up
which brought him closer to God,
the house, he was given the res-
because the Eucharist was as far
ponsibility of instructor of the Bro-
away as his confreres. Some eve-
ther novices. The atmosphere of
nings he slept under his truck, kee-
the novitiate was a little austere
ping the scorpions away and
for a young Brother, and he found
contemplating the marvelous starry
entertainment by taking up cycling
sky. René was all imbued with
in the surrounding Alps.
God in his hours of contemplation.
Finally, in 1962, having taken He especially appreciated the sto-
his perpetual oath, René was ap- povers at Tibhirine which were
pointed to Laghouat when Algeria moments of spiritual intensity and
had just gained its independence. fraternity with the monks. He yiel-
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PROFILES
ded to their life of prayer, their this huge task. His masterpiece
great closeness to the Algerians, was the restoration and the restruc-
especially the youngest, without turing of the farmhouse, which
proselytism. he organized to receive families
BURKINA FASO of his confrères. He enjoyed the
atmosphere of the community
In 1972 his services were re- where he had his place. At week-
quired in Burkina Faso, he first ends he went on long bike rides.
worked in the garage of the diocese He claimed to have travelled more
of Koupela for two years, before than 100,000 km!
being appointed to the garage in
Ouagadougou where all the HAPPY END
confreres appreciated his dedication But the years advanced. Tassy
and competence. However, with was now managed by la FED’ES.
his independent nature, he found René found he was idle. Little by
it difficult to work with the diocesan little the number of confreres dimi-
leaders and he decided to return to nished and René asked to be ap-
France. pointed to Billère, where he arrived
RETURN TO FRANCE in 2010, at the age of 75. He still
rendered a few services, and above
In 1976 he returned to France all he discovered the region of Pau,
for good. He first attended the first by bicycle, then by tricycle,
Bible session in Jerusalem and then on foot with Nordic walking
made his great retreat at Villa Ca- sticks. Walking had become his
valetti in Rome. He became the passion. Early in the morning, his
‘universal brother’ who put his silhouette was back on the pave-
kindness and his talents at the ser- ments of Pau. Sometimes he would
vice of the communities of the fall... finding a good soul, the Samu
Province: in Lyon, Strasbourg, (fast medical intervention service)
Marseille, Toulouse, and Angers... or the firemen to bring him back to
But he needed stability. So he his base, frightening again the nur-
was appointed to Tassy to take sing staff of l’Ehpad so committed
care of the maintenance. He would to taking care of his confrères. But
remain there for 32 years. He equip- this did not disturb him. Until the
ped himself with all the necessary end René remained a happy man,
tools for his different jobs, and faithful to his commitment as a
he didn’t give up in the face of Missionary of Africa.
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PROFILES
On August 19, 2020, he sud- René had given his body to
denly collapsed in the dining room, science, but the conditions of
in front of everyone. The inexhaus- Covid-19 and the very great heat
tible walker would present himself imposed cremation. His ashes were
before the Great Walker in whose buried in the cemetery California
footsteps he had put his own, his in Pau, near to his confrère, Maurice
Lord who was waiting for him in Gruffat, who died the next day.
heaven.
Michel Dubois
25NECROLOGIE a pag 66.qxp_speciale 07/04/21 08:46 Pagina 26
PROFILES
Maurice Gruffat
1926 - 2020
F
ather Mau- him which enabled
rice Gruf- him to attend the
fat was college in Thônes
born in Annecy from 1938 to 1945,
(Haute Savoie) on where he passed the
September 18, 1926. two A & B bacca-
Maurice didn’t talk laureats. Thônes is
much (or so little) a town in the heart
about his childhood of the Savoyard
and youth. What he Mountains. Maurice
told us about them witnessed and saw
in the summary of much of the drama
his life shows that caused by the war.
they were difficult times. His father In November 1945, Maurice
was an invalid from the Great War joined the Missionaries of Africa
of 14-18. He was a postman by at the philosophy seminary in Ker-
trade, a job he could carry out to lois, Morbihan. Through Abbé Bir-
the end even though he had only raux, a curate in his parish, brother
one arm. His mother died in 1932, of Mgr Birraux, then Superior Ge-
leaving him at 6 years of age and neral of the White Fathers, Maurice
his 11-year-old older brother in became acquainted with the Mis-
the care of a disabled father. Since sionaries of Africa, their mission
he could not take care of even a and their way of life. Shortly after
modest household, Maurice was his philosophy at Kerlois, Maurice
placed in an orphanage run by the was sent to Maison-Carrée (1947-
Sisters of the Immaculate Concep- 1948) to do his novitiate under the
tion in Annecy. His elder brother direction of Father Blin. Who wrote
was taken in by an uncle named this about him: “Such as he is, he
Séraphin. Maurice’s father died can go on and become a sufficiently
accidentally in 1937. Another uncle, serious and virtuous missionary,
who became his guardian, succee- who will render service.” Serious,
ded in obtaining a scholarship for helpful, conscientious – this is Fa-
26NECROLOGIE a pag 66.qxp_speciale 07/04/21 08:46 Pagina 27
PROFILES
ther Gruffat as he would be known country). He spent 17 years there
and appreciated in his country of in turn as a teacher, bursar and
adoption in Africa. After his two rector. “We combined functions
years of compulsory military service because we were working with our
(1948-1949), with his well-known backs to the wall due to lack of
frankness, Maurice wrote that he staff and lack of funds. Eight to
was sent “ex officio without consul- ten hours of work a day, seven
tation” to ‘s-Heerenberg, at the days a week, was the normal regime
English-language scholasticate in for me in Lubushi”. Despite this
the Netherlands. He spent three busy schedule, Maurice still found
years studying theology; it was enough time to take a correspon-
there that he took his missionary dence course to obtain a teaching
oath on July 25, 1952; it was then diploma. He confessed that he
written of him: “a man of heart, didn’t believe much in the fashion-
fully given, despite a certain rough able idea that one should take time
exterior”. He finished his scholas- to relax.
ticate with a year in Monteviot, From 1971 to 1996, he worked
Scotland, where he was ordained in a parish where he became suffi-
a priest on June 11, 1953. From ciently familiar with the local lan-
Monteviot, Father Moorman rightly guage, Chibemba. His appointments
wrote: “A man of responsibility were as follows: vicar in the
and order, a hard worker”. Ap- parishes of Nsombo, Luwingu,
pointed to Northern Rhodesia (now Chilubula, Lwena; parish priest in
Zambia), he arrived there on Chilubula, Kapatu, Ipusukilo. Then
October 1953, and never left (except the 30 day retreat in Marseilles in
for the duration of his holidays) 1972, retreat session in Jerusalem
until his definitive return to France in 1987, session of the seniors in
at the time of his retirement Rome in 1998. In the meantime,
in October 2006, fifty-three years in 1974, he had served as secretary
later. to the Archbishop of Kasama. He
Maurice first appointment was spent the last period of his life in
to the parish of Kalabwe, in the Zambia (1996-2006) at the pro-
north of the archdiocese of Kasama. vincial house in Lusaka where he
Six months later he was appointed was asked to take care of the ar-
to the Minor Seminary of Lubushi chives, and his main work consisted
(the oldest secondary school in the in translating into English the first
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PROFILES
“diaries” of our communities in us. As soon as he was in contact
Zambia (these were in French). It with them, there were only “Tata”
should be noted that although he and “Mama”. It seems that Maurice
was of good health, he often suf- found in all the fathers and mothers
fered from bouts of malaria. In of the Zambian parishes the parents
1991, he had a severe motorbike he had lost in his childhood. He
accident which forced him to stay had a significant commitment to
in hospital in Chilonga for a long the local Sisters communities, the
time, followed by rehabilitation in Sisters of the Child Jesus. He was
France. But Maurice was a tough always attentive to their needs,
guy; we did not often hear complai- ready to help them. Only they
ning about anything. could tell of all the services he
It would be not easy to make a rendered them.
profile of Father Gruffat without Father Gruffat was undoubtedly
mentioning his personality, which faithful to his prayer life, but he
could be said to be quite striking. did not feel the need to demonstrate
As stated above, Maurice was a it. We remember that he rebelled
tough, hard-working, somewhat against the hymn “Who is God to
boorish looking man, rough at love us like this?”. He didn’t un-
times, but always welcoming and derstand how anyone could ask
ready to serve. His English know- “Who is God?” For him, his God
ledge and mastery were remarkable, corresponded to a definite idea. At
which explained his taste for trans- a meeting of Missionaries of Africa,
lation work and his great use of when a member of the regional
words when he needed to give his team tried to get the group to reflect
opinion or narrate some event. more about justice, as demanded
Maurice was deeply charitable. He in a 1980 chapter document, Mau-
was a gentleman in the community. rice interrupted the session and
At times expressing his convictions shouted to the group leader by
and appreciations forcefully, saying, “Enough with your quest
confreres willingly forgave him for justice! I did not come here
because he was quite brave without (iZambia!) to work on justice but
a hint of malice. No matter how to teach the Catholic faith! »...
rough he was, Maurice always Maurice belonged a bit to the world
wore his heart on his sleeve. His of the recalcitrant; he did not
kindness with people always struck compromise with what seemed to
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PROFILES
him to be the truth. In many things He took his turn when they sang
he had strong ideas and no one to him: “In a remote corner of the
could change them! mountain, a little Savoyard boy...”
On December 16 2006, he arrived He had a smile on his face when
in Pau-Billère, his home and retire- he was told about the meals he
ment community. Even before lea- had at home, such as fondues. He
ving Zambia, he had written to the would talk with Paul Muyard about
Archivist of the Society in Rome, the experiences they had in college.
offering his services for French- About his work in Zambia, he
English translations of the Society’s mainly answered questions about
texts. “Service” and “fraternity” nature: its rivers and lakes. But he
was how Maurice had conceived didn’t want to talk about his mis-
his whole missionary life. sionary activities.
At Billère, Maurice was discreet. Maurice passed away on August
He did not talk much about his 21, 2020, 2 days after the return
missionary past. We had to question of Brother René Ledeul to the
him to get him to tell us about his Lord. They were both buried on
memories. He spoke fleetingly August 25, 2020, at the “California”
about his childhood and often men- Cemetery in Billère.
tioned the help he had received J.-P. Sauge, m.afr. with the parti-
from his compatriot family and cipation of Jean-Baptiste Marchais
confrere René Fournier. de Billère.
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PROFILES
Jean Chardin
(1924 - 2020)
O
n August In 1957, he left
26 2020, for Africa and went
o u r to Bamako in Mali,
confrere Jean Char- where he was curate
din passed away at at the cathedral. Five
the Saint Joseph years later, he was
Moscati Hospital in appointed to Oué-
Ya m o u s s o u k r o , lessebougou, still in
Ivory Coast. He was the Archdiocese of
96 years old, inclu- Bamako, where he
ding 70 years of was curate at the
missionary life in parish of Saint Fran-
Lebanon, Mali, cis Xavier.
Ivory Coast and France. He pro-
In 1967, the Province of France
nounced his Missionary Oath on
called on him for missionary and
June 27, 1950, in Thibar, Tunisia
vocational animation work in
and was ordained a priest the fol-
Nancy. He knew the region well
lowing year, on March 24, 1951,
since he was born in this diocese,
in Carthage, Tunisia. He was born
and he would render great service
on December 5 1924, in Avricourt
during that time.
in the diocese of Nancy in France.
He began his missionary life in When he finished his service in
Lebanon in September 1950, in missionary animation in 1973, he
Rayak, and would spend four years asked for an appointment to Ivory
there. He taught French and ma- Coast, where he had been several
thematics in the seminary entrusted times before. He was appointed to
to the Missionaries of Africa. the diocese of Bouaké, and after a
few years, he founded the first
From 1955 to 1957, he was ap- parish of Ahougnansou and became
pointed bursar at the Provincial its first parish priest. He was ap-
House of the Missionaries of Africa preciated for his pastoral work,
in Paris. and in 1978, he asked to learn
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PROFILES
Baoulé and went to Ouellé for the hind the President. The President
course. turned to him and said in a low
voice: “Father, pray. I need a bil-
He was appointed to the diocese
lion”. He was preparing to build
of Yamoussoukro in 1979, where
the famous basilica of Our Lady
he started as a curate and was ap-
of Peace.
pointed parish priest of the cathedral
of Yamoussoukro after a few Jean noted with admiration:
months. He remained in this posi- There was only one parish here
tion for three years. Saint Augustin’s twenty years ago, and no diocese.
parish was the parish of President But today, in 1980, there is a bishop
Félix Houphouët Boigny. The Pre- in Yamoussoukro and six establi-
sident had chosen to make Ya- shed parishes.
moussoukro the capital of Ivory During the years he was a pastor
Coast. There were more than 30 in Yamoussoukro, Jean gave him-
families in the presidential neigh- self selflessly. He took care of the
bourhood, about 500 people, and Baoule people, whose language he
a chaplain was required for all spoke quite well. He also visited
these families. the surrounding villages and ani-
According to Jean, manna was mated the numerous Burkinabé
coming from the presidency, and it communities in the region.
contributed significantly to parish He acknowledged his deep ad-
life. He was often in frequent contact miration for President Houphouët
with President Houphouët and em- because he knew his heart and
phasised that the latter never soul. He considered it an honour
commented on the homilies, which to have worked with him.
he always listened to attentively.
In 1992, he was sent to M’Batto,
The day after his sister’s funeral,
in the tropical forest near Dimbokro,
Mamie Adjoua, the President made
still in the diocese of Yamoussou-
this remark to Jean: “Father, people
kro. He founded this parish and
took me for a fool when I built this
became its parish priest. He spent
church. Look at this crowd. My
about ten years in M’Batto where
Baule people will be converted.”
he was also much appreciated. The
Jean had a sense of humour. Agnis who live in the parish are
He recounted that one day while cousins of the Baoulés and are
he was praying, a few benches be- part of the great Akan people from
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PROFILES
Ghana. Jean managed to cope with since it was with them that he
the language, although he had to founded the Catholic community
do a lot of work. There were 30 in the Zinzibo district of Yamous-
villages with fairly vibrant Christian soukro. Their friendship would fa-
communities in the parish. M’Batto, cilitate his integration into the cen-
the largest parish in the diocese, tre, where he would spend more
had 21,000 baptised at the time. than 16 years. He had a room and
John animated this Christianity an office where he could work and
with the help of a curate and several receive guests. While he lived at
catechists. The religious celebra- the centre, especially during his
tions were neat, beautiful and lively first years there, he designed nu-
and had an extraordinary impact merous drawings of buildings,
on the young people. There was churches, chapels and presbyteries
singing and dancing by everyone. He was the one who designed
He confessed that he learned this the roof of the Agoua Chapel in
approach from Father Michonneau, M’Batto. He also enjoyed perfecting
one of the great artisans of liturgical computer software for accounting
renewal in France, at the time of and parish management and offered
the Second Vatican Council. accounting training to those who
When he approached the age ask him for services in this field.
of 80 in 2002, he chose to semi- He worked from his office at
retirement in Toumodi, a town near the Diocesan Centre in Yamous-
Yamoussoukro, where he lived at soukro until 2014, when he cele-
the Toumodi Youth Centre where brated his 90th birthday. It was
he felt at ease. The youth appre- then that his health began to fail
ciated his presence. and he was hospitalized several
In 2004 he celebrated his 80th times in Abidjan. His former pari-
birthday, although he was still solid. shioners, with great generosity,
However, he decided to reside at took turns to help him in his old
the Yamoussoukro Diocesan Centre. age. Some even slept close to his
room to take care of him at night.
This centre, in particular, is used The Missionaries of Africa autho-
for the accommodation of visiting rities visited him regularly and
priests as well as all kinds of mee- proposed that he return to France
tings and festivities. to receive appropriate care, but he
He knew the managers well categorically refused. He wanted
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PROFILES
to spend the last years of his life Kola, the provincial, came from
in Ivory Coast. Burkina Faso when the borders
As his condition worsened at were partly closed. A huge crowd
the beginning of August 2020, he followed the funeral mass. Jean
was admitted to the Saint Joseph had planned what was to be written
Moscati Hospital in Yamoussoukro, on his tombstone, and he even had
a hospital next to the Notre Dame a small plaque engraved with this
de la Paix Basilica in Yamoussou- epitaph: “Here lies the one who
kro. Jean died there on the morning baptised me”. It was a way of un-
of August 26, 2020. The emotion derlining the fact that he had been
was great in Yamoussoukro and a priest and missionary among the
throughout Côte d’Ivoire, where people of Yamoussoukro and the
he was known and appreciated. surrounding dioceses. Jean had also
The diocese organised his funeral. worked and administered the sa-
Jean Chardin had wished to die in craments so often. He enjoyed his
Yamoussoukro and be laid to rest priesthood. Before the final commit-
in the cathedral’s courtyard, where tal all the confreres and students
he had long served as curate and from Abidjan who had come for
parish priest. His wish would be the funeral surrounded his coffin
respected and Jean was indeed laid and sang the Sancta Maria.
to rest in the courtyard of the ca- Rest in peace, Jean, and accor-
thedral of Yamoussoukro. ding to the formula often used here
Many confreres from Côte in such circumstances, “May the
d’Ivoire (Abidjan and Korhogo) earth be light on you! ”
came to his funeral. Father Luc Luc Kola and Alain Fontaine
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