LES PERES BLANCS 1868 – 1892 DEPUIS L’ORIGINE DE LA SOCIETE JUSQU’A LA MORT DU FONDATEUR

EN: Father Lucien Duchêne (1857-1934) was the first White Father (Missionary of Africa) to write a history of his Missionary Society. His work was published in three volumes at the beginning of the 20th century, between 1901 and 1903. It covers the period from 1868 to the death of Mgr Lavigerie, founder of the White Fathers, in 1892. In his work, Fr Duchêne often referred to documents he had consulted in the archives. He was driven by the desire to tell the truth. He also avoided interpretations that might influence the reader. Later historians among the White Fathers would write their "histories" to serve the image of their society. They would embellish reality to encourage young people to become missionaries and also to arouse the generosity of their benefactors. Some will even think about the possible canonisation of their founder, Cardinal Lavigerie.