Word: abb
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1970-1979
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...First Parachute Regiment joined the generals' putsch against Charles de Gaulle. After De Gaulle accorded Algeria its independence in 1962, the legionnaires disinterred their most illustrious dead from their desert graves and transported their pink Saharan granite Monument aux Morts from 118-year-old headquarters in Sidi bel-Abbés in Algeria to metropolitan France, together with their battle-worn flags, standards, regimental colors and a multitude of medals and decorations. These tokens of the legion's past now repose at its new headquarters at Aubagne, ten miles east of Marseilles...
That came in 1951, when the abbé lost his assembly seat and with it his only income. But just when the commune seemed imperiled, a chiffonier (ragpicker) at Emmaus devised a new source of money: he taught his colleagues how to rummage through trash for useful objects. Scrap paper was sold, broken furniture and appliances were repaired and marketed. The commune became self-supporting and earned enough to add new centers elsewhere. A credo evolved: "Give instant help to those nearest and in need. Show them how to help themselves. Afterward let them help others...
...abbé became known throughout France during the harsh winter of 1954, when he waged a one-man battle to force the government to provide emergency housing for the poor. So great was the public response that the Premier, Joseph Laniel, later said he half-suspected the abbe was planning a revolution and might have succeeded had he tried...
...Today Abbé Pierre lives quietly in one of the 8,000 low-rent apartments that his organization has built in the Paris area. Though the movement runs summer camps and ships supplies and cash to 32 countries, the main focus remains self-sustaining communes. Besides the 52 in France (membership 1,500), there are 100 abroad. While the communes are secular, there is a heavy emphasis on community. The communards get room, board and a stipend, but their main reward is in self-respect. A sign in the Orléans commune reads: "We will never agree to accept...
...ancient monasteries disappeared, Abbé Pierre believes, because they became too prosperous and insensitive, and he fears the same thing will happen to his movement. To prevent this he uses every opportunity to expound his philosophy, and last week's celebration at Orléans was no exception. "The next friend who will come to this commune is somewhere right now," he told his followers. "We know nothing about him, but he exists at this very minute. While we are here and happy, he is crying somewhere in pain. When he comes to us here he will not find...