Archbishop Justin Welby has invited the founder of the L’Arche movement, Jean Vanier, to visit Canterbury next week during the gathering of Anglican Primates.
Vanier, 86, is a Roman Catholic philosopher and social innovator who founded the L’Arche Communities – where people with and without learning disabilities share life together, living and working in community – in 1964.
The movement began with Vanier’s own commitment to living in community with people who have learning disabilities in Trosly-Breuil, France, where he still lives.
A very hopeful development. I pray all the Primates are mindful of the message of this modern day saint.
There is no doubt regarding what he is going to be talking about, but I am very interested as to his approach to the subject.
The question is whether the gathering will still be ongoing when they get as far as Vanier’s scheduled visit.