Nestor Pycke (1930-2020)
Born in St.-Kornelis-Horebeke (B) on October 22, 1930
First vows on September 8, 1950
Ordained Priest on August 7, 1955
Missionary in DR Congo (KIN) and Belgium
Died in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw (B) on November 18, 2020, at the age of 90.
Nestor was born in a village of about 700 inhabitants. He was the seventh descendant of the Pycke family to be ordained a priest in less than 100 years. He did his primary studies in a school in his native village, then the preparatory year and the Greco-Latin high school at the Collège Notre-Dame d'Audenarde.
In 1949, he entered CICM with two of his classmates. His first mass was a big celebration for his village. On this occasion, Nestor recalled in his remarks that the last priest to celebrate his first mass was also called Pycke and was also a CICM, Gentil Pycke (1874-1917).
Nestor then studied theology at the Catholic University of Louvain, where he obtained his doctorate in 1960. He was a missionary in DR Congo (Inongo) for four years (1960-1964).
In 1964, he returned to Belgium and became a professor at the seminary. Nestor was also lecturer and professor of theology at the University as well as rector of the house in Leuven. He was elected a member of the General Government (1974-1981) and was rector of the Collegio and later of the Generalate in Rome. Nestor also spent a year at the University of Berkeley (USA) preparing to be a Formator in Cameroon. After a few months, he had to end his stay in Cameroon for health reasons.
Nestor returned to Leuven and carried out various tasks there. He was General Archivist (1996-2004). He wrote three books on the history of the CICM and transferred the CICM archives from Rome to KADOC (Catholic Center for Documentation and Research on Religion, Culture, and Society) in Leuven.
Nestor was fascinated by the charism of our Founder. One of his masterpieces is the book: “Théophile Verbist’s Adventure” (2009), in which he situates the charism of the Founder in today's multicultural world.
Nestor was a wise man. His love and enthusiasm for the Founder led many people to greater love and commitment to CICM. May he rest in peace. ■
Carlos Monté & Cyriel Stulens
