We grieve the devastating loss of our Capuchin brother Toussaint Zoumaldé, a friar of the Capuchin custody of Chad/Central African Republic (CAR). He had been leading a course for priests and friars in Cameroon and was returning to his fraternity in Baibokoum, Chad, when he was killed in Ngaoundéré, Cameroon. He had celebrated his 47th birthday last November 2nd.
On March 19th, traveling by bus, Toussint had stopped in Ngaoundéré to rest and find lodging with some local authorities. He had told the guard at the gate that he was going to look for something to eat before nightfall, but he never returned. They found him slain on the ground the next day with many wounds, including defensive ones. Left on the ground a few meters from the body was his emptied wallet.His Capuchin superior, Jean Miguina, OFM Cap., went with other friars to collect the body and brought it back to Bouar, where the celebration of his life and his burial took place on Friday, March 22nd.
In his homily based on Psalm 23, Bishop Mirosław Gucwa of Bouar, spoke: “We all raise our voice to the Lord asking him, ‘How long are we going to walk in this valley of darkness?’ . . . . Since receiving the sad news of the tragic death of Fr. Toussaint, I can say we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death. In particular, we have in mind the family of Father Toussaint, his brothers and sisters, his uncles and aunts, his cousins -some of whom are here present and are going through a difficult and dark time. We also feel with the religious family of Capuchin Fathers who have lost their brother,” the Bishop said.
Toussaint was laid to rest in the friary cemetery of Yole, the location of the Franciscan seminary. After the necessary silence, they began to tell the young men in formation there the Toussaint’s story, the tall professor who composed songs and spoke of Jesus on Siriri-Peace radio station of the diocese of Bouar, where he served as Director. May his songs be repeated by these young people and may they bring angels of peace to the dangerous streets of this part of Africa.
We continue to pray those who carry their own stories of tragic losses in these months of violence in the region. May our father St. Francis accompany you, dear brother Toussaint, to the eternal life promised those who sacrifice their lives for others, as you did so movingly.