The Betrayal of Witness
Reflections on the Downfall of Jean Vanier
- History & Biography
- Theology
- Publisher: Cascade Books (Wipf and Stock)
- Published: 2024
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Publisher's Description
The downfall of Jean Vanier due to the history of sexual abuse that came to light in 2020 has shocked everyone familiar with his life and work as the founder and leader of L'Arche. The authors in this book raise significant questions regarding his influential legacy and its relevance for theology and disability and for L'Arche in particular. Without any attempt to whitewash or downplay the seriousness of his transgressions, the question cannot be avoided to sort out the good and the bad in Vanier. It requires soul-searching on the part of his theological heirs and those who have been influenced by him. Finally, his work with and influence upon L'Arche raises the question of sustainability and how its communities might--or might not--be shaped by his tarnished legacy.
Endorsements (3)
“A courageous and thoughtful examination of the complex legacy of Jean Vanier. The authors grapple honestly with Vanier's profound failings while also seeking to preserve the transformative gifts of L'Arche communities. This book is essential reading for making sense of Vanier's tragic story.”
“The ambiguous moral legacy of Jean Vanier is faced fearlessly in this book by a series of theological writers who knew Vanier well and deeply admired his work with people of disability. By refusing to downplay the now-exposed fissures in Vanier's own erotic life, the contributors explore with sensitivity and discernment the problems of self-deception, abuse, and secrecy that lapped at the edges of his work and prayer. This is an extremely important and challenging book.”
“Betrayal of Witness is a wise and measured collection of reflections on the downfall of Jean Vanier that comes to us at a time when rash conclusions can too easily be drawn from the human failures of those we most admire. This broad collection ranges from meditations to explications on how good people do bad things and how we as a community of witnesses might consider such betrayals of trust and love as we make our own lives, institutions, and communities together now and in the future.”
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