L'abbé Pierre, defender of the poor, founder of Emmaüs, --- and one of the most loved figures in France, died in the early hours of the morning yesterday in a hospital in Val de Grâce in Paris at the age of 94 years.
Martin Hirsch, president of Emmaus in France, made the announcement after abbé Pierre died of a pulmonary infection.L'abbé Pierre, in a recent interview - which had me laughing, crying, in awe of this most amazing man - said that he is ready to die now and thinks God has been "a little remiss in his duties" for not having called him yet! "For," he said, "death is not really a separation - it is simply a continuation. It is time for leaving the shadows and entering the light."
President Chirac echoed the people of France -- and indeed the world, when he said yesterday that the hearts of whole of France are touched to the core. L'abbé Pierre
was an immense person, the conscience of the world, the reincarnation of goodness and compassion. He did wonderful work in the Resistance, but never in his life stopped working in a spirit of the revolution against suffering, misery and injustice.
L'abbé Pierre was a devout Roman Catholic, but nevertheless one of its most vociferous critics. In his book "Mon Dieu, pourquoi?", he commented on "just about everything" -- as he said at the time of the publication, he may not get another chance! He criticised the church about celibacy for priests, women in the priesthood, bans on condoms to help fight AIDS, the Pope not being able to retire, homosexual relationships, --- the list goes on. He was infamous for telling the Popes off but nonetheless had regular interviews with the last three Popes. He also criticised governments and world leaders and did not hesitate to tell them to their faces what he thought of their reluctance to fight poverty and suffering. ("No", he said in a recent interview, "I did not call Bush a fool. I called him ignorant!")
50 ans après l’appel, la cinquième puissance économique mondiale, devenue entres-temps 4 fois plus riche, ne fait toujours pas mieux pour loger ses citoyens...
Hamba Kahle, Cher abbé Pierre! May you travel safely into the light, but may your work here in the shadows continue.....
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