News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

jean-vanier-main_article_image.jpg
World News

Jean Vanier dies aged 90

by Eno Adeogun

The academic was the founder of of L'Arche, an organisation described as a revolutionary international network of communities where people with and without disabilities live and work together as peers.

"Jean has left an extraordinary legacy," L'Arche international leader Stephan Posner said in a statement.

 

"His Community of Trosly, the Communities of L'Arche, Faith and Light, many other movements, and countless thousands of people have cherished his words and benefited from his vision."

Mr Vanier, who was a Catholic, founded L'Arche in 1964 in response to the treatment that people with learning disabilities faced in institutions.

He spent a lifetime reshaping society's views on the value of disabled people and was recognised for his work.

In 2015 he was awarded the Templeton Prize, picking up a cheque for £1.1 million.

 

Shortly after nomination of the prestigious prize, he told Premier how he sees Jesus in the daily life of the community he built: "It's a question of loving people as they are.

"Not just people with disabilities but also the assistants [L'Arche's volunteers].

"The whole vision of Jesus is just to 'love one another as I have loved you'.

"To love people is not to do things for them, but to reveal to them that they have value. There's a person under the abilities and the disabilities - that's the heart."

Wikimedia Commons

There are now more than 150 L'Arche communities in 38 countries around the world, where more than ten thousand people share in life together.

John Sargent, National Leader of L'Arche UK, said: "Jean's death is a great sadness. His vision was one of radical welcome, inclusion and joy, where marginalised people with learning disabilities are valued and celebrated.
 
"He will be greatly missed by people from all walks of life who have been influenced and changed by his teachings, which remain as relevant today as ever."

Mr Vanier spent his life after retirement from L'Arche focusing on "sharing a message of unity, dignity and diversity".

He influenced thousands of people around the world and published forty books on how people with learning disabilities contribute to building a more humane society.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate