Human rights champion Bishop French awarded British honour |18 December 2014

Archbishop Emeritus of the Indian Ocean, French Chang-Him, has been awarded the Order of the British Empire.
The honour was presented to Bishop French by the British high commissioner Lindsay Skoll at a reception at her residence, on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The citation officially awarding the OBE to Bishop French states that it is for services to reconciliation, human rights, charity and democratic values, and also for his invaluable service to British nationals in Seychelles, past and present.

Presenting Bishop French with the warrant and insignia of the OBE, Ms Skoll described him as an extremely humble and gracious man, who is a friend to many.
“Despite his own family pain and loss over the years, Bishop French is the epitome of forgiveness, reconciliation and positive role-modelling.”

“He has worked tirelessly in the service of God and his fellow country men and women for many years, yet remains modest to a fault,” said the high commissioner.

Bishop French trained and was ordained in the UK in 1962. He was appointed Bishop of Seychelles in 1979, until his resignation in 2004. He held the position of Archbishop of the Indian Ocean from 1984 to 1995.

“His perspective, compassion and desire to help are limitless, as are his charitable works and services to the inter-faith committee. He made the Anglican Church relevant, and its words resonate, for all Seychellois,” said Ms Skoll.

The high commissioner praised Bishop French for his embodiment of the values of peace, democracy, national inclusion and community.
Accepting the OBE Bishop French expressed his surprise at the award, and said that, for once in his long career as a clergyman, he was speechless.

He thanked his family for their support and dedicated the honour to the people of Seychelles, stating that, “we are all walking this path together”.

In addition to friends and family of Bishop French, the reception was attended by senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of civil society and the private sector.

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (often shortened informally to Order of the British Empire) was established on June 4, 1917 by King George V, to honour the many thousands of people who had served in numerous non-combatant capacities during the First World War.

The award of the OBE to Bishop French is the first award of an order of chivalry in the British and Commonwealth honours systems to a Seychellois in over three decades.

Our photo on front page shows (from r to l) Bishop French OBE, Ms Skoll, the Bishop’s daughter and granddaughter, Frances and Shannon.