Blessed Christian De Chergé

Biography

Blessed Christian de Chergé, also known as Charles-Marie Christian de Chergé, was born on January 18, 1937, in Colmar, Haut-Rhin, France. He hailed from an aristocratic French family with a strong military tradition. His father, a general, served as the commander of the 67th Artillery Regiment of Africa. Charles spent a significant part of his childhood in Algeria before his family eventually returned to France.

From a young age, Charles felt a calling to religious life. He studied at the Carmelite Sainte-Marie de Manceau School outside Paris from 1947 to 1954 and distinguished himself as an exceptional student. During this time, he also became involved in the Boy Scouts.

In 1956, Charles entered the Carmes Seminary in Paris with the intention of becoming a priest. However, he left the seminary in 1959 and returned to Algeria to serve as an officer during the Algerian War. During the war, Charles had a profound encounter that would shape his future ministry. He was saved from an ambush by an Algerian Muslim named Mohamed, a father of ten. In gratitude, Charles promised to pray for Mohamed. Tragically, Mohamed was murdered that very night. This event deeply affected Charles and reinforced his commitment to follow Christ by working in Algeria.

After completing his military service, Charles returned to France and continued his studies. He was ordained a priest in the Church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris in 1965. During this time, he served as the chaplain of the Sacré Cocur Basilica of Montmartre in France from 1964 to 1969.

In 1971, Father Charles joined the Trappist Cistercians and began his novitiate at the Aiguebelle Abbey in Algeria. He pursued his studies at the Pontifical Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies in Rome, Italy, from 1972 to 1974, focusing on Arabic language and culture under the guidance of the Missionaries of Africa. Returning to Algeria, he actively worked to foster dialogue and understanding between Christians and Muslims.

In collaboration with the White Father missionary, Claude Rault, Father Charles established Ribât-al-Salam (The Place of Peace) in the spring of 1979. The group aimed to engage in discussions on Muslim tradition and spirituality. In 1980, a group of Sufi Muslims joined them, transforming the group into a space for inter-faith dialogue, education, and prayer.

Father Charles was entrusted with the role of prior at the Abbey of Our Lady of Atlas in Tibhirine, near Médéa, Algeria, in 1984. He dedicated himself to the monastic life, the pursuit of God, and the service of the local community.

Tragically, Father Charles and six fellow monks were kidnapped on the night of March 26-27, 1996, during the Algerian Civil War. They were held captive for two months before being martyred for their Christian faith. Although their bodies have not been found, Father Charles' head was discovered on May 31, 1996. The bodies of the monks were eventually buried in the cemetery of the Tibhirine monastery on June 4, 1996.

Father Charles de Chergé's devotion to fostering dialogue and understanding between Christians and Muslims remains an inspiring example of faith and commitment. He was venerated by Pope Francis on January 26, 2018, who declared his martyrdom, and was later beatified by Pope Francis on December 8, 2018. Blessed Christian de Chergé's life and witness continue to inspire believers to seek peace, understanding, and reconciliation among different religious communities.