EDITORIAL

THANK YOU, CLAUDE

Our friend Claude Boucher Chisale has passed away. Artist, ethnologist, his missionary life in Malawi will have contributed to reawakening in the country the memory of the riches of traditional life. We sometimes forget the somewhat difficult beginnings of his mission. As soon as he arrived, he wanted to understand the local culture and integrate into it. His days in the branch most often ended with a meeting around the fire. Of course, it was the perfect opportunity to learn the language, but at the same time, legends and tales came to make him a man of the country. And all his pastoral action will be marked by it! This will also earn him to go through the traditional ritual of entry into the community, where he will be given the Malawian name of Chisale.

Very soon after his arrival in his adopted country, Claude produced a representation of the mystery of Christmas strongly marked by the customs of the country: costumes, songs, dances, drums. Not everyone was enthusiastic about this type of initiative! We must remember that we are at the end of the 1960s and that the influence of the Council had not yet crossed all the oceans. Without taking on the appearance of a fighter, Claude remained true to himself. He was deeply convinced that the proclamation of the Gospel should take on local color.

Extremely gifted as a painter, he wanted to put his talent at the service of the Good News. This is what he did throughout his life. And his commitment will continue through the school of sculpture and painting that he set up, as well as through the museums bringing together works from the various ethnic groups of the country. Like all his colleagues, Claude took the road to Africa with the deep desire to share with Malawians the joy of the Gospel! In a certain way, he anticipated Pope Francis' invitation to become a witness to the joy that we find in the encounter with Jesus (The Joy of the Gospel, # 1).

Claude’s life makes me think that there are as many colors of the mission as there are missionaries, each one putting the talents received at the service of the Gospel. Claude, we say a big thank you to you!