Father Matthieu Gombo

GOMBO, BR. Matthieu Yange O.F.M.Cap.

November 12, 1964 — December 22, 2015

Br. Matthieu Yange Gombo, O.F.M.Cap., died of cancer at Kelowna General Hospital during the evening of Tuesday, December 22, 2015.

Br. Matthieu was born in Botela, Democratic Republic of Congo on November 12, 1964. He entered the Capuchin Franciscan Order in the Congo on August 16, 1983. He was ordained to the priesthood on August 16, 1992.

Br. Matthieu studied pastoral theology at the Facultes Catholiques de Kinshasa between 1992 and 1994. He taught at a local seminary from 1995 to 1997. In 1999 he was appointed to the faculty of Padre Pio Institute of Religious Studies in Pretoria, South Africa. This institute formed young Capuchin students from various countries in East Africa. In 2006, he was enrolled in a doctoral program in pastoral theology at the Lateran Pontifical University in Rome. He graduated in June 2010 with a doctorate in pastoral theology.

Br. Matthieu came to the Diocese of Nelson during the summers of 2008 and 2009 to serve in replacement ministries. He came on a permanent basis in the summer of 2010. He served in replacement ministry until he was appointed pastor of the Trail Parishes in 2011. Subsequently, he was appointed Director of Seton House of Prayer in Kelowna. Besides the Trail Parishes, Br. Matthieu served for extended periods in Castlegar and in Summerland.

The Capuchin brothers express gratitude to the doctors and nurses of Kelowna General Hospital for the tender and attentive care which accompanied Br. Matthieu.

As we remember Br. Matthieu in our prayers, we are also asked to pray for his mother and his siblings.