Page 5 - DIVA_1_2007_No.28

A Man of Humanity: Abbe' Pierre (1912-2007)

He adopted the Jerusalem that is drawn from
name Abbé Pierre the biblical text in the Gospel
while serving in the of Luke ... where two disci-
wartime resistance ples offered hospitality to
when,
amongst Jesus after his resurrection
other activity, he without recognising him.
helped with arran-
ging documents to In 1949 Abbé Pierre founded
assist Jews in the first Emmaus workers'
escaping
to hostel in the Paris region
Switzerland. He where a small community
was arrested twice formed. A secular organisa-
by the Gestapo and tion, it has grown into
escaped. He met Emmaus International with
General de Gaulle over 300 associations in forty
in Algeria on 17 countries. Its aim is to help
June 1944. After the poor and homeless people
Abbé Pierre died in Paris spiritual leaders, including
on 22 January 2007 aged three Popes. the war he entered politics and refugees by offering
94. Founder of Emmaus and for a time, being elected in various services and activi-
1945 as Deputy for Meurthe ties. They work as compa-
one of the most popular The biography and biblio-
et Moselle. nions, receive free lodging
figures in France, his death graphy of this courageous
caused shock around the and controversial French and food and can benefit
The freezing winter of 1954 from training and other servi-
world, particularly for those Catholic priest are well
to whom he devoted his life documented, as are the brought Abbé Pierre's radio ces towards improving their
appeal for food and shelter lives after Emmaus.
and work. They came with national and international
to stop people dying on the
thousands of mourners to recognitions he received for
pay their respects prior to his selfless devotion to the streets. The broadcast Baizan Prize
unleashed a flood of genero-
the national funeral service destitute and homeless.
held at the cathedral of sity later called the "uprising Acknowledging this Man of
Notre-Dame followed by a Man of Humanity of goodwill". A striking figu- Humanity, Abbé Pierre
re with his white beard fra- received the BaFzan Prize for
private burial. He was laid
to rest in France at his Abbé Pierre was born Henri med by the black cape a fire- Humanity, Peace and
amongst
man gave him that winter he Brotherhood
chosen place amongst the Antoine Grouès on 5 August
Emmaus companions. 1912 to a pious family of was repeatedly compared peoples ... "For having
with Mother Teresa and fought throughout his life for
silk merchants in Lyon. The
voted France's most popular the defence of human rights,
His mission in life was to be fifth of eight children, he
personality for his tireless democracy and peace, For
the 'voice of people without was afflicted with lung dis-
campaigning in favour of the having entirely dedicated
a voice'. He exerted relent- ease that often interrupted
destitute and homeless. himself to helping relieve spi-
less pressure on politicians, his studies at the Jesuit
and others, to defend the secondary school and theo- ritual and physical suffering,
His work continued with the For having inspired - regard-
destitute and homeless in logical faculty. From an
acknowledging their dignity early age he was drawn to a creation of the Abbé Pierre less of nationality, race or
principally through provi- life in service of others and Foundation from 1987 and religion - universal solidari-
his grass roots involvement ty with the Emmaus commu-
ding adequate shelter, food felt a long and fervent call
and clothing. He used the to death. He gave his inheri- in the social and political nities."
causes that he championed.
media as part of his cam- tance to charity and entered
For a while he preferred to Note:
paign to seek support a monastery at nineteen.
avoid the public spotlight. Acknowledgement is given
amongst the wider public
for his causes. He joined the Capuchins, More recently he sought the to all sources used in prepa-
one of the three independent quiet of his spiritual home ration of this article.
with solitary periods spent in ITA MARGUET
As social activist and mili- branches of the Franciscan
reflection.
tant, he was vociferous in order, and was ordained into
his rebellion against politi- the priesthood on 24 August PHOTO CREDIT:
Emmaus community WWW.EMMAUS-
cal and social injustice and 1938. His poor health cau-
INTERNATINAL.ORG
openly disagreed with the sed him to leave the rigours
Church and Vatican on of monastic life following The name Emmaus is defined
as Way to, Supper at, and
some issues. He was which he survived a series
Return from. It refers to a
received by many of the of near fatal accidents.
place about seven miles from
world's political, social and
1 2007 Diva 3
vainternational.