Priest-cum-cultural enthusiast Boucher dead
Canadian-born Father Claude Boucher, a Catholic priest based at Mua in Dedza and naturalised himself with the local culture as well as adopting local clan name ‘a Chisale’, has breathed his last at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe.
Dedza Catholic Diocese communication secretary Father Sostein Office said in an interview last evening that Boucher succumbed to high blood pressure which had been troubling him for a while.
“It is true we have lost him. Details about his burial will be communicated once the arrangements have been done. But he expressed his wish to be buried right here at Mua,” he said.
Boucher is known for his extensive work at Mua Mission where he is credited for establishing KuNgoni Arts Centre.
Born in 1943, he came to Malawi in 1967 and was fluent in Chichewa besides being an avid follower and researcher of some local cultures. He was initiated into gulewamkulu of the Chewa’s nyau cult as well as Yao and Ngoni cultures.
In 2017, Mzuzu University (Mzuni) awarded him an honorary doctorate for his true missionary work couched in education, training and ethnology as well as making religion accessible.
Reads the Mzuni citation: “Mzuni proudly honours Dr Claude Boucher Chisale for his selfless immersion into the Malawian culture and traditions without reserve and promotion of these locally and abroad; for his research into Malawian culture and sharing the history of Malawian people; the development and growth of Mua Mission; and simply for his love of Malawi and its cultural traditions.”
