When we are at the heart of humanity, when it is only about the essential, is it possible to order priorities? Is it even just decent? Health, food, housing, civil peace… everything is burning. With this characteristic specific to housing that its failure causes death. In France today, not having a roof over your head can be fatal. Two people a day die in the streets. In its annual report made public on Wednesday January 31, the Abbé-Pierre Foundation deplores the budgetary rigor which for years has negatively affected housing policy, with the consequence of increasing insecurity among the population. Today, poor housing affects 4.16 million people in France, including 330,000 homeless people, twice as many as in 2012.
A detail that we tend to overlook but which is nevertheless important: Abbot Pierre is a man of the Church. Although he does not haunt ministerial corridors, his memory illuminates many faithful and communities. In each diocese, the Church puts its foot in the door so that society does not become stuck in its routine. Churches – I’m talking about buildings here – also regularly serve as shelters, like the Church of the Saint-Sacrement in Lyon last December, occupied by undocumented and homeless migrant minors. More generally, the public authorities know it: when there is a need for arms and hearts, they never forget the Church.
But who still hears this cry from Abbot Pierre: “My friends, help!” » ? The current situation would knock Abbé Pierre out of his hinges, and who knows? From his tomb too! “My friends, help!” It’s not just desolate Gaza and battered Ukraine where homes can be rebuilt. In our neighborhood there is a lack of roofs. We live with ordinary refugees, living under tents. Everywhere, we talk about merit. Exactly ! They did not deserve this fate. Often already victims of so much violence, they are on the streets because they were pushed there and because they do not feel legitimate elsewhere. We have to end it. Listen to me ! »
This cry should resonate everywhere. Pascal Brice, president of the Federation of Solidarity Actors (FAS), does not miss an opportunity to reiterate how all those who have a roof over their heads, and even more so those who are properly housed, must not turn their eyes away from this reality. , because it is the home of misery and suffering that cannot leave us indifferent. Abbé Pierre in 1954 proved that there was no fatality. Today we know this. We must therefore each be, in some way, Abbé Pierre.