(Posted 10th June 2023)
The 9th of June saw the funeral of a Seychellois giant, the Archbishop French Chang-Him, who passed on the 26th of May 2023 at the age of 85 after a short illness that saw him being hospitalized.
Archbishop Chang-Him was born in Seychelles and is the son of Francis Chang-Him and Amelia Zoé. He was educated at Lichfield Theological College and Trinity College, Toronto. He became a primary school teacher in 1958 and was ordained in 1962. In 1979 he was appointed the Bishop of the Seychelles and in 1984 the Archbishop of the Indian Ocean until 1995.
In 1975, French Chang-Him married Susan Talma (RIP 1996). The couple had twin daughters – Frances & Michelle. He was appointed an Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2014 Special Honours “for services to human rights, reconciliation and democratic values and to British nationals in Seychelles.”
“I had the honour of knowing Archbishop French and can say that he was a Man of God whose work went beyond religious beliefs, colour of the skin and political affiliation. He respected everyone and made time for everyone. He said what he meant, and always meant what he said. Respect was his trademark and he lived by it daily” Alain St.Ange, a former Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine of the Seychelles who was also one of the three Candidates in the island’s 2020 Presidential Elections, told ATCNews.
The late Archbishop French Chand-Him leaves behind two daughters Frances & Michelle and their own children, several nieces and nephwes and two elderly sisters.
ATCNews expresses sincere condolences to the family and friends of French Chand-Him.
