Seychelles loses a Son, an Icon |27 May 2023
Archbishop Emeritus French Chang-Him
- Archbishop Emeritus, French Chang-Him dies aged 85
Seychelles first Seychellois Anglican priest, Archbishop Emeritus French Chang-Him passed away in the early hours of yesterday, aged 85.
Bishop French OBE, who was born on May 10, 1938 and recently celebrated his 85th birthday, was ordained on June 9, 1963 and he would have commemorated the 60th anniversary since his ordination in fifteen days.
He was consecrated the first Anglican Bishop of Port Victoria in 1979 and was also elected Archbishop of the Indian Ocean Province in 1984.
Prior to his ordination, Bishop French was a primary school teacher, which he served from 1958 to 1962.
He was also Rector of Praslin, followed by Archdeacon of Seychelles and finally its Vicar General.
In 1979 he was appointed the Bishop of the Seychelles, a post he held until 2004 when he resigned. Although he resigned he was still in charge of St John’s parish at Glacis and was often called on to preside over weddings, baptism and funerals.
Bishop French also served as the Archbishop of the Indian Ocean in 1984, resigning in 1995.
Bishop French is renowned for his involvement in various associations namely Cancer Concern Association, of which he was a founding member and remained an active member until his passing. He also helped create the group Friends of Prison and was also one of the founding members of the Seychelles Inter-Faith Council (Sifco). He was also active with the National Council for Children (NCC).
He is also remembered as a survivor on board the inter-island schooner ‘Ero’, which capsized on August 12, 1975.
In December 2014, Archbishop Emeritus French Chang-Him was designated an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for his services to reconciliation, human rights, charity and democratic values, as well as for his invaluable service to British nationals in Seychelles, past and present. He was presented with the insignia of the OBE from the former British high commissioner Lindsay Skoll.
Family
Bishop French is the son of Francis Chang Him, of Chinese origin, and Amelia Zoe, a Seychellois mother. He hails from a family of ten and is the brother of the late Davidson Chang-Him who was shot during the coup of June 5, 1977. He was recently before the Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission (TRNUC) to share his family’s ordeal following his brother’s passing.
Bishop French was married to Susan Talma, affectionately known as Suzy, who died of cancer in 1996 and the couple had twin daughters, Michelle and Frances.
Messages of condolence
Messages of condolence started pouring in as soon as the sad news of his passing was out with people, near and far, expressing their deep love and admiration for him. Some have been blessed to have met Bishop French and stated how he has touched their lives in a positive way.
In an interview at State House yesterday morning, an emotional President Wavel Ramkalawan said that he was deeply saddened by the news of his passing.
“Firstly I would like to say a special thanks for the life and testimony of Bishop French, he was a person who had the ability to touch the heart of many Seychellois with his words. I know that Seychelles will honour him as a precious child, a child of Seychelles who was loyal to his cause,” stated the president.
“I was ordained by Bishop French 39 years ago, and I have always worked closely with him and my marriage with his niece brings us that much closer because of the familial link. We do not have any doubt that he is now resting in peace with the Almighty that he proclaimed. We will miss his guidance, his message of encouragement, his devotion and his service towards everyone.”
In a press release emanating from the Head of State, President Wavel Ramkalawan described him as Seychelles’ “precious child, a man of deep faith, an obedient servant and a devoted father and grandfather”, whose big heart was open to everyone.
“As a man of God, he embraced all faiths and was welcomed in temples, mosques, and churches. He helped set up Sifco, the body that provides the platform for all faiths in Seychelles to sit and seek common goals in the search of reconciliation and unity. He was there till the end,” read the statement.
President Ramkalawan also said he will be remembered as a man who believed in justice and stood against any form of tyranny, openly condemning human rights abuses and supporting “those whose loved ones were detained or whose children had disappeared, all while mourning the brutal death of his dear brother, Davidson Chang-Him, who was murdered on June 5, 1977. He paid the consequences for standing up in many ways”.
On behalf of the government and the country as a whole, the Head of state expressed his deepest condolences to his daughters, Frances and Michelle, his grandchildren and family and the Anglican community.
Another message of sympathy was from the former Seychelles president, Danny Faure, who stated on his social media page that “Archbishop Emeritus French Chang-Him was a Religious leader who walked the talk of National Unity and Reconciliation”. Mr Faure described him as a man of compassion and humility.
“His special voice carried his words in an extraordinary manner that one can still hear him talk. That was and is the power of this great son of our motherland. May he rest in eternal peace,” read the message, ending with deepest condolences to his family and members of the Anglican Diocese.
Another person who worked alongside Bishop French for a while was Homa Mungapen as a member of Sifco.
In a message, Mrs Mungapen said she was deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Archbishop French Chang-Him. “His loss is not only felt by his family and friends but also by the entire nation he served and led with such dedication and passion,” she said.
She described him as an “exceptional leader who inspired many with his vision, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to the Anglican Church and the progress and well-being of the country. His contributions and impact will be remembered for years to come”.
For his part, the leader of the United Seychelles Party, Dr Patrick Herminie, said Archbishop French was much respected not only among the members of the Anglican community but also by the whole of Seychelles, as many Seychellois received some form of blessing or other from him at the time of baptism and confirmation.
“Coming from such humble beginnings, he showed no glory for the position he held as the Archbishop Emeritus and remained humble throughout his life at the service of the church. He dedicated his ministry to serve God and the people of Seychelles with fulfillment and passion,” Dr Herminie said.
The US leader added that his involvement with charitable causes such as the Friends of Prison, and the Cancer Concern Association showed his compassion for people no matter who they were or their circumstances.
“The United Seychelles highly appreciates his tenet that every single human being should be given a second chance in life. Despite his own personal tragedies, he was a man of great faith and an exemplary human being,” added Dr Herminie.
Bishop French was to celebrate the 60th anniversary of his ordination on June 9 and President Ramkalawan informed the media that his funeral service will be held on the same day.
Patsy Canaya/Diane Larame
