27/4/2001

Abbé Pierre

Abbé Pierre, who has become popularly known as the embodiment of the conscience of France, was born Henri-Antoine Groués in Lyon in 1912. A deeply religious young man he served as a Capuchin monk before training for the priesthood. He was ordained in 1938, under the shadow of the looming Second World War. The courage and determination with which he served the threatened and the poor during the next terrible years were to set a precedent for his behaviour that would remain for the rest of his days.

The young chaplain continued to follow his vocation throughout the war. Following the invasion and subsequent brutal occupation of France, however, he became a member of the Resistance movement. It was then that he was given the enduring codename of Abbé Pierre. Repeatedly risking considerable personal danger he aided the escape of Jewish families and others threatened with persecution over the mountains into Switzerland. He was later denounced to the German Gestapo but managed to escape. He continued his work with the Free French forces in North Africa, ending the war as a senior naval chaplain.

Persuaded To Stand for Parliament
With the onset of peace and the monumental task of social reconstruction he was persuaded by General De Gaulle to stand for parliament. He was elected to the Constituent Assembly as an independent candidate allied to the socialists to represent the mining constituency of Meurthe-et-Moselle in the east of France. In parliament Abbé Pierre concentrated on the twin problems of poverty and homelessness that beset both his own constituency and, on a larger scale, Paris. In 1949, together with another former Resistance worker, Lucie Coutaz, he decided to take action himself to provide shelter, employment and hope for homeless families.

The Emmaus Communities Take Shape
In 1949 Abbé Pierre formed the first of many Emmaus communities that took shape within his own Paris home which he opened up to shelter 18 homeless men. The community expanded as further temporary shelters were built within his gardens – Abbé Pierre providing both land and financial assistance until the communities realised that they could utilise skills that they had learned on the street to support themselves. Making an income out of recycling, refurbishing and re-circulating other people’s rubbish, members of the community became known as Les Chiffonniers d’ Emmaus (the rag pickers of Emmaus).

Instrumental in Securing Change
In 1951, as further Emmaus communities took shape, Abbé Pierre resigned his position in parliament to concentrate more fully on helping the unemployed and roofless refugees that were flooding into the nation’s capital. He quickly realised the power of the media in political campaigns and made full use of the blossoming television age to campaign on behalf of the poor. By sensitising the French public to the homelessness issue, and exposing the failings of current policies, he exerted strong pressure on politicians for change. He was instrumental in securing the aid of the French government to take action on social poverty and exclusion and in 1954 a film was made about his work which further increased his influence.

Almost fifty years later the work of Abbé Pierre for social justice and equality continues with his physical appearance -his long white beard, his spectacles, his black beret and cape - becoming well known by the vast majority of the French population. He has consistently refused to withdraw from public life – despite his age and failing health – and continues to be a tireless campaigner on behalf of the poor and excluded.

Honoured For His Work
Regarded by many as a living saint Abbé Pierre has preached by example, devoting his life to social goals and enabling other people to live happier, healthier and more rewarding lives. Amongst other awards that he has received in recognition of his life’s work, Abbé Pierre was awarded a higher order of the Legion of Honor (Grand Officier de la Legion d’Honneur) by President Jacques Chirac on 19 April 2001.

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