L'ARCHE International
The first community of L’Arche was founded by Jean Vanier in
1964 in Trosly, France. L’Arche communities have sprung up all over
the world, in various religious contexts and different social and cultural
rights, and all are united by a common vision and the same spirit of
welcome, of sharing and simplicity.
The purpose of L’Arche is to create
communities in which people with mental and physical discomfort can live enjoyably
and feel at home. L’Arche pushes back against the discouragement of those who are too often
rejected, giving them back a place in society.
In an increasingly divided world, L’Arche wants to be a sign of hope.
Its communities, founded
on relationships of alliance between people of different
intellectual level, social origin, religion and culture, are a sign of unity,
fidelity, reconciliation.
L’ARCHE IN ITALY
Within Italy, there are two other L’Arche communities in addition to Il
Chicco. The first is the Arcobaleno community, founded in 2001 in Quarto
Inferiore, and located near Bologna.
L’ARCHE AROUND THE WORLD
Today there are 152 L’Arche communities located in 37 countries around
the world. Each community carries out unique projects respective of the
diversity of cultures, languages, religious traditions, social origins and
intellectual abilities, while still sharing the same global values through
respect for the dignity of human life and the importance of each person.
Documents