Residents of Goundi honor Italian priest after 60 years of service in Chad

Residents of Goundi, a town in Chad, gathered at the local hospital on November 4, 2026, to honor the life and work of Father Gherardi Angelo.

The Italian Jesuit priest died in Italy on October 31, 2026, at the age of 92. The community held the ceremony to recognize the priest's long history of service in Chad. He arrived in the country in 1958 and began his primary work in Goundi in 1968.

During his tenure, he established several healthcare and educational facilities, including the Goundi hospital, multiple health centers, a health school, a training school for student teachers, and the Bon Samaritain university complex. These projects allowed local people to access medical care and training without traveling long distances. Local leaders and medical staff spoke at the memorial to emphasize the importance of maintaining these facilities. Dr.

Halgué Keoul, the hospital director, noted that the priest frequently urged residents to protect and maintain the hospital. Dr. Mahamoud Ramadan, the chief physician, called on healthcare workers to remain committed to patient care as a way to honor the priest's values of compassion and devotion. The mayor of Goundi, Doubragne Ngabaye Joël, described the deceased as a key figure in local development.

He asked the government to support the maintenance of the priest's projects so they can continue to serve the population. The ceremony concluded with songs and testimonies from people who were trained by or benefited from his work.