Summary What is L'Arche becoming? - Arche Deutschland

Philippe Deney © Robert Laskowiecki
Focus on International
I found the exact opposite of what I had expected. Everybody spoke
about their experience, aware of the changes in the outside world,
their own personal evolution and that of L’Arche. This profoundly
touched me because, if any community’s environment has radically
changed, it is Daybreak’s, which has gone from a pastoral countryside
setting to being surrounded by a very dense suburb! It touched me
because, each person in their own way, aware of their evolution,
said, “I could never go back to living how I lived 35 years ago…” That
affected me especially because the group said how L’Arche’s plan
had become much clearer, more explicit, and that this clarity gave
rise to a feeling of great freedom. Each person said, “I like how we
are evolving because I feel that we are genuinely living our call”.
Relation – Transformation – Sign are the three essential words that
cannot be ignored. They were discerned at the end of the first phase
of the Identity and Mission process, in 2003. Since then, we have
accepted a great diversity of interpretations of L’Arche’s charism.
L’Arche will continue to genuinely live what it has been given to
discover, insofar as it will be able to maintain the dialogue between
You will remember that during
the General Assembly in Kolkata
in October 2008, it was decided
that the international structures
were to be altered. In particular
this would involve changing the
composition of the International
Board.
In its new form it will include:
• the President (Mireya de
Corrales)
• the International Coordinators
(Jean-Christophe Pascal and Christine McGrievy)
• six at large members (up until now there have been three: the
Vice-President (Doug Steinburg), the Secretary (Viviane le Polain),
the Treasurer (Paul Schiettecatte))
our values and those of our contexts, and continually reflect on that.
Our societies and environments, both social and regulatory, have
considerably changed in the last 45 years. And L’Arche has too!
Today we know that changes outside L’Arche put our customs to the
test, as well as our way of life and the community project as it is.
We know how much our values themselves are called into question.
This personal dimension is the most difficult, because it may weaken
the foundations of our life project. The temptation then may be to
withdraw. I am thankful for all those who choose to remain standing,
open and in dialogue. Because, far from being passive witnesses of
these changes, our personal and community commitment marks us
out as bringers of change.
What is L’Arche becoming?
*For example, see Jean-Pierre Crépieux’s autobiography: “I’m not
afraid of growing old”.
**Carrie Whitney-Brown has held a series of interviews on this
subject with the founders of the first communities in each country.
On our way to the new structures
By Philippe Deney, Administrative and Financial Director of L’Arche International
Therefore three new qualified members are to be added.
Since May, the Nomination Committee has been collecting
suggested names from the entire Federation.
The Nomination Committee’s mail specified that:
“The role of the International Board is to govern the Federation
and to guarantee the spirit of L’Arche. The new members must be
people who are known for their spiritual commitment to serving the
mission and identity of L’Arche. The new members should also be
or have been linked to a community, a home or a person with an
intellectual disability. They can therefore convey and express the
daily life of our communities, regions and zones.”
The names that are collected will be submitted to a vote by the new
Federation Council, by means of an electronic voting procedure
which will take place in October.
The new IB will meet from 25th to 29th November in Dublin,
Ireland.
2