Père Jean Decoville passed away from this life to encounter the Risen Lord on Sunday, 28 October 2018 at the age of 92. He was born at Alençon (Orne), France on 13 September 1926. He professed his monastic vows at Toumliline, Marocco on 16 May 1958 and was ordained a priest on 27 August 1961.
Père Jean served as prior of Bouaké from 1994 to 2000, having been sent originally to Bouaké soon after its foundation. He lived the monastic life at Bouaké for more than 35 years before spending the rest of his years at El Calcat starting in 2002. Père Jean had a fervent devotion to Saint Thérèse de Lisieux, Saint Faustina Kowalska, and for Marthe Robin, with whom he had met together on several occasions.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the Abbaye Saint Benoît d’En Calcat in Dourgne, France. We commend Père Jean to the prayers of all in the Benedictine Confederation.