Antoon Desimpel

Antoon Desimpel (1940-2025)

Born in Izegem, on June 2, 1940.
Religious vows on September 8, 1961.
Ordained priest  on August 7, 1966.
Missionary in DR Congo (Kasayi) and Belgium.
Died in Torhout, on December 6, 2025,
at the age of 85.

Father Antoon Desimpel was born in Izegem on June 2, 1940, the second of five children in a farming family. There, he learned to work in the fields and on the farm. In 1960, Toon entered the novitiate in Zuun and took his first vows in 1961. In 1966, he was ordained a priest, and a year later, he left for Luluaburg (now Kananga) in the Kasayi province.

Toon began his missionary life as an itinerant priest in Tshikula. After five years, he succeeded Gerard Bulcke as head of the Balami. The Balami are the chief catechists, responsible for several villages, who give catechesis and lead Sunday prayers. The Balami are the priest's right-hand men, and most of them can be truly relied upon.

Toon traveled throughout the entire diocese of Kananga—which is as large as Belgium—to train and encourage these men. This took him to every mission station. He had a great influence and was greatly appreciated by his confreres. As a result, he was elected Vice-Provincial by his confreres. At that time, about 120 CICM missionaries were working alongside a small number of native priests.

Due to the heavy workload and a persistent infection, Toon had to take it a little easier later on, and he even went to Belgium for treatment.

Upon his return from Belgium, he was appointed pastor of Lubunga, 160 km from Kananga. At that time, there was a large church, built by André Vanderjeugt, and a small building for two confreres. Almost immediately, Toon took the initiative to further develop Lubunga. Together with Leo Wets, he built a beautiful low parish house, a residence for the sisters, a small hospital, and a meeting room. The entire mission was lit by solar panels.

Toon left Lubunga after 14 years and became a priest in the forests of Muetshi. But it did not last long. Barely five months later, the mission was attacked by rebels. Toon and the sisters fled at the last minute and remained in hiding in the jungle, constantly moving out of fear of the approaching rebels. Fortunately, they remained unharmed and were able to flee to Kananga after a week.

He spent the last six years of his active missionary life in Congo at the Provincial House in Kananga, from where he traveled every day to a new parish 3 km away. There, Toon also worked hard to transform the new mission station into a pleasant and well-functioning parish.

After 39 years in Congo, Toon ended up with us in Torhout. Not to rest, but to be the treasurer and vice-rector. He would stay here for almost 20 years. They were beautiful, fruitful years, full of dedication to the community. He especially enjoyed himself in our garden. He worked hard to turn it into a pleasure garden. He had a special fondness for flowers, and they received a lot of attention from him. He also had some indoors.

But it did not last. Toon underwent heart surgery and suffered from severe muscle pain. His strength declined. Eventually, he ended up in a wheelchair and he became increasingly dependent on others, especially the nursing staff.

But he remained present in the community and always enjoyed being there.

I have admired Toon greatly lately. For two reasons:

1. He never complained, even though he was having a hard time and felt the end approaching.

2. He was always so grateful. How many times did he say, “Thank you.” He always remained positive.

Toon had a strong bond with his family, and he was always so grateful that they visited him regularly. He has now departed to join the great family of all those who have served the Lord and others well.

- Frans Van Humbeeck