Blessed Alain Dieulangard

Alain Dieulangard was a French priest, a member of the Society of Missionaries of Africa, a blessed martyr, born on May 21, 1919, in Saint-Brieuc, and killed on December 27, 1994, in Tizi Ouzou. After beginning law studies and participating in the early stages of the Second World War, he joined the Missionaries of Africa, or White Fathers, in 1943. He studied literary Arabic and Islamic culture, followed by Kabyle, was assigned to North Africa in 1950, and spent forty-four years in Kabylia. Alain Dieulangard worked in pastoral care and teaching until the nationalization of schools in 1976. Subsequently, as dean of the White Fathers' community in Tizi Ouzou, he handled reception, administration, and cooking. He also traveled throughout the region to visit Christians and celebrate Mass. He was known for his simplicity, his sociability, and his spirit of service. Following the murder of the first martyrs of Algeria, he chose to remain to ensure a Christian presence and serve the Algerian people. He was killed on December 27, 1994, alongside two other priests of the community and a visiting priest. Recognized as a martyr, he was beatified on December 8, 2018, in Oran, along with the other martyrs of Algeria.