Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Alger (Agenzia Fides) – The Diocese of Laghouat-Ghardaïa in Algeria is deeply saddened by the death of Brother Xavier Habig of the Fraternité des Petits Frères del Evangile (Fraternity of the Little Brothers of the Gospel), founded by Charles de Foucauld.
The religious brother died on the afternoon of April 24 in a car accident. Bishop Claude Rault of Laghouat-Ghardaïa thus remembers Br. Habig: “Our diocesan community, as well as the Fraternity of the Little Brothers of the Gospel, has suffered greatly for the accidental death of Xavier Habig. He was returning from Bechar, when the accident occurred. He died on the spot.
Brother Xavier was 62 years old and had been in the Fraternity of Beni Abbes for many years.
His love for the people, his gift of receiving others, his intense life of prayer, his knowledge of the Arabic language...all formed a part of his life intensely lived at the service of others. He will be greatly missed by his fraternity, as well as in the neighborhood where he lived.
We assure his family, relatives, brothers Henry and Bernard (of the Fraternity), and Marek (a Polish Fidei Donum priest living with the Fraternity), and the Little Sisters of Beni Abbes, of our fraternal communion in suffering and in hope.
We hope that Xavier may be laid to rest in Beni Abbes. We are awaiting the necessary authorizations.” (LM) (Agenzia Fides 28/4/2009)
