Comment by Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy on the death of Jean Vanier

07 May 2019

“On hearing of the death of Jean Vanier, I immediately thought of the L’Arche communities and the Faith and Light communities around the world that he so greatly inspired. I offer my condolences to them, knowing, however, that they will be full of gratitude for the great example Jean Vanier was for them.

“As a student in UCD, I myself was part of a group that helped in a retreat-mission Jean Vanier led in the College in 1978. I met him several times during that week and admired greatly his humility, wisdom and penetrating words. I met him briefly on other occasions over the years. His prophetic example, his untiring focus on helping us recognise the value of vulnerability and otherness and his constant underlining of the importance of community have always influenced me.

“We have much to learn from his life.  I’m sure that in death he will have heard the Lord say to him, ‘well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord’.”

+ Brendan Leahy
Bishop of Limerick

ENDS