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updated 11:54 AM UTC, Mar 20, 2024

Death of Br. Toussaint Zoumaldé

On the morning of March 20 we woke up to the terrible news: Br. Toussiant had been killed while he was on the way back to his friary in Baibokoum, Chad.

Br. Toussaint was tall, like the palm trees of the destroyed forests of his country, the Central African Republic. At the news it seemed that the heart heard the din and racket of branches breaking, branches of a great tree cut down meaninglessly.

Pere Toussaint Zoumald map Br. Toussaint Zoumaldé was young, having turned 47 on November 2. He had been a Capuchin friar since 1994 and a priest since 2002. He was educated, having studied dogmatic theology at the Gregorian University in Rome. He taught as a professor in the Etude Saint Laurent in Bouar, CAR, where all the young friars of the General Custody of Chad-CAR passed through. He was also prefect of studies (2008-2016). From 2011 to 2016 his ministry within the Munus Docendi expanded to embrace all of Africa. From the Siriri-Peace radio station of the diocese of Bouar, his warm voice exhorted, formed, and promoted the dignity of his people, blending with the Gospel that identity that the nearby poet – the president of Senegal, Leopold Senghor, baptized as négritude. Toussaint’s soul also expanded from the cathedral to the radio, from school to poetry. He composed songs. Moving in 2017 to Baibokoum, Chad, the Museum of Mboum Civilization, founded by his confrere Br. Attilio Ladogana, was entrusted to him, as well as the youth ministry. The African roots to be broken like bread, together with the Gospel and the sacraments of salvation, for the strong youth of Chad. He was to go from Baibokoum and return to Bouar to animate a formation event for the clergy of the diocese: a beautiful festival for this year’s feast of St. Joseph.

All of this nobility and natural elegance of Toussaint, enriched by the refinement of the Gospel and his presbyteral anointing was lost on the cowardly hand that stabbed him on the night of the 19. Returning to Chad by bus, he had to stop in Ngaoundéré, Cameroon. He found lodging with some local authorities and told the guard at the gate that he was going to look for something to eat before nightfall. He did not return. They found him dead on the ground, with many wounds, including defensive ones. Left on the ground a few meters from the body, there was his emptied wallet. His mobile phone was also taken.

The Custos, Br. Jean Miguina, went with the brothers to collect the body and brought it back to Bouar. The fallen palm tree was placed with love in the center of the cathedral. The bishop of Bouar, Mirosław Gucwa, presided at the solemn funeral liturgy. Everyone grieved for Br. Toussaint, with tears, his people from the Central African Republic, the friars, religious women from every congregation and the poor sisters of St. Clare, the Vicar General of the diocese of Goré, Chad, who represented the Capuchin bishop, Rosario Ramolo.

The Central African Palm Tree was laid to rest in the friary cemetery of Yole, the location of the Franciscan seminary, at the crossroads. After the necessary silence, they began to tell the young aspirants to the Capuchin life the story of Br. Toussaint, the tall professor who composd songs and spoke of Jesus on the radio. And 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. May the Lord also pardon the wicked hand that cut down this palm tree, meaninglessly.

Br. Antonio Belpiede, OFM Cap.

Pere Toussaint Zoumald map

Last modified on Tuesday, 16 April 2019 09:14