Befriending the Stranger

CMU and Mennonite Church Canada (partners in operating CommonWord) are shocked and saddened by the manipulative and abusive actions of Jean Vanier, which came to light on February 22, 2020. We unreservedly condemn his violent actions, and stand in solidarity with all victims of sexual violence. We also acknowledge the immense good done through the work of L’Arche since its founding in 1964, now a federation of communities for people with developmental disabilities and those who assist them, spread over 37 countries. Vanier played an instrumental role in shaping the vision of L’Arche, and during his lifetime wrote 30 books on religion, disability, normality, success and tolerance. The paradox of his manipulative abuse and his life-giving vision for L’Arche leaves us feeling anger, lament and confusion.

As CMU and CommonWord reflect on this paradox, we have determined to temporarily remove Vanier’s books from our shelves. We do so to signal our condemnation of his actions; to acknowledge the raw wounds that his choices open in the lives of victims of sexual violence; and our need for patient, ongoing reflection in life situations imbued with dissonant complexity. We view this choice as a necessary, provisional time of lament as we contemplate this brokenness.

Going forward, CMU and CommonWord will choose to hold together the deep contradiction of Vanier’s actions and the worthiness of his vision for L’Arche. In holding this paradox we acknowledge that our engagement with Vanier’s writing and legacy will change over time, a change that will demand our ongoing reorientation. In that spirit, CommonWord will in due course continue to hold and make available the writings of Jean Vanier.

Jean Vanier reflects here on who we are and how we build our communities, and in particular asks, can we be truly compassionate towards others if we are not compassionate towards ourselves? In a series of six meditative pieces, he opens up God's invitation to us today, in the midst of all the violence and corruption of the world, to create new places of belonging and sharing, of peace and kindness, where each one is loved and accepted with one's own fragility, abilities, and disabilities.