Saturday, June 7, 2003

Pope of Verdun

Does anybody know what happened to the Pope of Verdun.

5 comments:

dewline MSN said...

 



YAH HE MOVED TO ROME

jim MSN said...

ANDRE BRABANT,
KNOWN AS THE "POPE OF VERDUN," HAS DIED.

From Le Messager de Verdun,
dated Sunday, August 14th, 1994. Page 8.

By Pierre Lussier

Andre
Brabant has died following a lengthy illness at Maison Claude Rivest in Verdun.
The simple but moving funeral service was held by vicar Andre Marcotte, in the
presence of his numerous friends and family at Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs
church last Wednesday. 
A person wearing robes and a purple belt
presented himself at the presbitary of the Wellington Street church on the
morning of the ceremony, claiming to be a Bishop from Ottawa. Although vicar
Marcotte was unable to identify the prelate, he asked him to attend the ceremony
as part of the choir.

Andre Brabant leaves behind his grieving sister
Rolande as well as his brothers Roland, Guy and Yvon. Andre Brabant was 54 years
old.

A legendary figure in Verdun, Andre Brabant was known to all as
"the pope of Verdun;" Andre Brabant often wore a white robe and religious
ornaments reminiscent of the Holy Father. On occasion Andre Brabant wore a
general's costume and was accompanied by a companion also wearing military
uniform. Residents of Verdun would often run into Andre at breakfast - he would
bless them and have a good word for them. Fascinated by religious garb and
believing in the call of God, Andre Brabant remains a mystery for many
Verduners. Some people would mock him behind his back but most folks respected
the man and his choices. Known to be kind and generous, Andre Brabant would
occasionally speak on Gilles Proulx's radio talk show - the host wouldn't
hesitate to contact him and ask his opinion on any number of topics.


Andre Brabant made headlines by running in the St-Anne riding in the
1989 provincial elections: he ran under his nickname "Pope of Verdun" and
garnered over 600 votes.

Andre Brabant died at the Maison Claude Rivest,
so if you feel generous, please send a donation to "la Fondation de l'Astre"
which runs this non-profit hospice.
--- END
---

dannyb-- MSN said...

Hi Jim,      Thank you for the information. May be the group manager can post that artical under a new category for memorable citizens.I think many people knew him and remember him and would agree that he stood out in a crowd.                                     Dannyb.

Les F said...

This has been around for a while, but since I was checking out some of our earliest threads & came across this question from DannyB .......about the Pope of Verdun, I thought I'd post the youtube video,
colourful to say the least......(I'd almost thiink he should have practiced at the other end of Verdun with the big property & black fence across from the Nat. .................lol HF&RV
At least it has some footage along Wellington etc etc ......

Les F said...

...and it seems we did post the video only last year: while 'resurrecting' (sticking with the religious theme) this thread once again. HF&RV