Jean Vanier, founder of L'Arche, dies at 90

Jean Vanier, Canadian theologian and founder of L’Arche, died May 7 at the age of 90.

Vanier had been suffering from cancer and was assisted at a L’Arche facility in Paris, according to Vatican News.

The agency said Pope Francis was informed of his death and the interim director of the Vatican Press Office, Alessandro Gisotti, said the Pope "prays for him and for the whole L'Arche community".

Vanier founded L’Arche in Trosly-Breuil, France, in 1964 as a community to build relationships between people with intellectual disabilities and those without, and offer a place where all belong and work and learn from each other. Vanier expanded the concept and in 1969 L’Arche opened in Richmond Hill, Ont. It has since expanded around the world with 149 communities and 14 projects in 37 countries. Similarly, Faith & Light communities brings together thousands, with disabilities and without, through community and family gatherings in 1,500 communities in 82 nations.

Vanier was born in Geneva on Sept. 10, 1928, the son of former Governor-General of Canada Georges Vanier.

Vanier joined the Canadian Navy in 1949, but left to earn a PhD in philosophy in Paris. He went on to teach at the University of ST. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto, then left the academic world to found L’Arche and, in 1971, "Foi et Lumiere" (Faith and Light).

He was a member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity and has received numerous honours, including Companion of the Order of Canada and the Legion of Honour in France.

More to come