The academic was the founder of of L’Arche, an organisation described as a revolutionary international network of communities where people with and without disabilities live and work together as peers.
“Jean has left an extraordinary legacy,” L’Arche international leader Stephan Posner said in a statement.
“His Community of Trosly, the Communities of L’Arche, Faith and Light, many other movements, and countless thousands of people have cherished his words and benefited from his vision.”
Mr Vanier, who was a Catholic, founded L’Arche in 1964 in response to the treatment that people with learning disabilities faced in institutions.
He spent a lifetime reshaping society’s views on the value of disabled people and was recognised for his work.
In 2015 he was awarded the Templeton Prize, picking up a cheque for £1.1 million.
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Jean Vanier. He passed away peacefully today Tuesday, May 7 at 2:10 am in Paris surrounded by some relatives. https://t.co/74rYPjpB2V pic.twitter.com/F9MhZ2F9oY
— L’Arche International (@larcheintl) May 7, 2019
Shortly after nomination of the prestigious prize, he told Premier how he sees Jesus in the daily life of the community he built: “It’s a question of loving people as they are.
“Not just people with disabilities but also the assistants [L’Arche’s volunteers].
“The whole vision of Jesus is just…
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