On Saturday, June 7, the Bishop of Kabgayi Diocese announced the passing of Father Adelin Maurice Verdonck, who succumbed to illness at Kabgayi Hospital.

His death marks the end of a remarkable journey of over five decades of service in Rwanda, a country he chose to call home.

Father Verdonck, originally from Belgium, leaves behind a legacy of compassion, humility, and unwavering dedication to his priestly vocation.

His passing has deeply affected the Kabgayi Diocese, particularly those who worked and lived alongside him throughout his years of ministry.

Father Joseph-Emmanuel Kageruka, who shared more than 15 years of service with him, described him as “an extraordinary priest, full of love and honor. He was always ready to listen and showed great patience and empathy toward everyone. I will never forget how devoted he was to the sick—praying for them, caring for them. To us, he was a true father.”

Though not Rwandan by birth, Father Verdonck embraced the country and its culture wholeheartedly.

He spoke fluent Kinyarwanda and was known for visiting and supporting impoverished families, often prioritizing their needs over his own comfort.

“He was a priest with a heart full of mercy,” added Father Kageruka.

A long-standing member of Musambira Parish, where Father Verdonck served for around 35 years, recalled that the priest left behind a powerful legacy of love, patience, and selfless service.

Marie Alice Mukamana, a catechist in the parish, shared, “He will be deeply missed by many for his love and sacrifice. His commitment to the people of Musambira was nothing short of inspiring.”

Father Verdonck’s contributions were numerous and profound. He paid school fees for underprivileged children, provided aid to the poor and the sick, and created employment opportunities for many.

Mukamana added that parishioners learned a great deal from him over the years: “As someone who followed his teachings closely, I learned the value of generosity, prayer, and boundless self-giving.”

Who was Father Verdonck?

Father Verdonck was born on July 9, 1939, in Brussels, Belgium, to Léopold and Stéphanie Bodard. He was baptized in July 1939, confirmed in May 1951, and ordained as a priest on June 23, 1967, in the Archdiocese of Malines-Brussels.

In 1974, driven by the spirit of Fidei Donum—a missionary initiative—he left his homeland to serve in Rwanda.

He arrived in Kigali on September 4, 1974, where he began studying Kinyarwanda and Kirundi at CELA in Kigali, before being assigned to the Archdiocese of Kabgayi.

Over the years, he served in several parishes including Kamonyi (1975), Kanyanza (1978), and then returned to Kamonyi in 1979.

In 1991, he was transferred to Musambira Parish, where he would leave his most lasting legacy. He was appointed parish priest of Musambira in 1996 and later became chaplain of the St. Francis of Assisi Monastery in Musambira in 2004.

From 2016 until his passing in 2025, he continued to serve as Vicar priest at Musambira Parish.

Father Verdonck passed away at the age of 85. His funeral Mass and final farewell will take place on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the Musambira Parish.