Writings
Exposed to arbitrary intervention and humiliation
During the early 1960s, my companions and I had the impression of being so isolated that I wanted to verify (…) Read more
Founded on an act of faith
The ATD Fourth World movement was founded on an act of faith. Its creators believe that human beings find within (…) Read more
A Europe Commited to Freeing People from Poverty
People write and speak of more than 10 million people trapped in extreme poverty in Europe.
Behind this figure you and (…) Read more
Our political struggle: eradicate extreme poverty
Our ideologies and class loyalties aside, our political struggle is about the eradication of extreme poverty and social exclusion. That’s (…) Read more
A struggle born of a refusal and a challenge
In 1956, when we joined forces with the families in the emergency housing camp in Noisy-le-Grand, we vowed that the (…) Read more
On being a servant
When being ordained a priest, I was asked: “Which passage from the Gospels most inspires your life? I immediately replied: (…) Read more
Hope – a unique opportunity for those living in poverty
Christian hope does not presuppose that people never fall apart, that they don’t refuse to keep going, or even that (…) Read more
This Christmas time
When I was a child, between 4 and 13, I would go down to the Bon Pasteur convent at midday (…) Read more
Every gesture of love fosters hope
The children huddle around Georgette,
pressing against her
like violets burrowing under moss.
Eleven little ones.
Jackie says, “I’m cold,” and Caroline, “It’s horrible (…) Read more
Turning history into fraternity
Humanity appears to be floundering in its history like a deaf, dumb and blind person desperately seeking their way forward. (…) Read more