Some reactions of friends
On May 8, 1994, our brother Henri was murdered in his office of the library on Ben Cheneb Street, Kasbah district, in Algiers. His memory will always live among us and in the Church. The recent release of the book Praying 15 days with Henri Vergès, edited by Nouvelle Cité, can help to reacquaint us with him and to ask his intercession, especially for the Muslim-Christian dialogue that he cherished so deeply.
Here are some reactions of friends, after reading this book:
Father Alain Planet, Bishop of Carcassonne and Narbonne, who met Henri in Bourg-de-PĂ©age, in 1967:
Most of my ministry has been near his birth place. That is why I am so attracted to him. I am also touched deeply by his vision of the Church and the mission which seems to be the same for us in France today. (February 16, 2008)
Father Emmanuel Coutant, former abbot of Bellefontaine abbey:
Through Brother Henri?s witness I can see a stimulus for the Christian of the 21st Century as well as for all those who are in search of God throughout the world. These days I happen to be in dialogue with a Moslem youngster who is making a retreat at our hostel here. I am impressed by this boy?s open-mindedness and the way he looks for God. He really challenges my sense of monastic life; I am going to lend him your book. (February 9, 2008)
One Marist layperson:
I appreciate your book a lot. It allows me to get past a simple statement of facts so as to start a real reflection and praying with Brother Henri Vergès. In addition, I used your book together with an elderly infirm woman who asked me for a reading that would help her soul to rise toward God. (February 23, 2008)