France's Abbe Pierre dies; pope praises his work fighting poverty

Published: 2007-01-23

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Abbe Pierre, the white bearded founder of the Emmaus Community in France, dedicated his life to fighting poverty and serving the poor, Pope Benedict XVI said. The 94-year-old priest, repeatedly voted the most respected person in France, died Jan. 22 in Paris. "Informed of the death of Abbe Pierre, the Holy Father gave thanks for his action on behalf of the poorest through which he witnessed to the love that comes to us from Christ," said the condolence message signed by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state. When France was still recovering from the destruction of World War II, the winter of 1954 was particularly harsh and many people were living on the streets or in inadequate shelter. Using a radio station, Abbe Pierre launched an appeal for help and began his "insurrection of kindness." What began as an emergency assistance project turned into the Emmaus Community. Born Henri-Antoine Groues to a wealthy family in Lyon in 1912, he joined the Franciscans and was ordained to the priesthood.

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