Father Arthur distributing food and clothes to Roma families in the Lille metropolis.

-

Facelly / SIPA

He was known as the “priest of the Roma”.

The Lille priest Arthur Hervet, defender of the treatment of this community during the presidential mandate of Nicolas Sarkozy, died on Monday at the age of 82, announced the Lille section of human rights.

"Father Arthur is dead (...) For years, we have been working together so that the Roma can lead a dignified and respected life in the Lille area", announced the League of Human Rights of Lille, in a press release. .

"A great void"

His death, following a long illness, "left a great void which will be difficult to fill in the ranks of those who fought against the unbearable situation faced by Roma refugees, victims of persecution throughout Europe. ”, She added.

For Dominique Plancke, leader of the Solidarités-Roms Collective of Lille Métropole, Father Arthur was “an atypical and very committed character”.

"In recent years, he continued to distribute food in the slums," he told AFP, praising his "energy" and his "desire to be with the most deprived".

Engaged with inmates and prostitutes

Ordained a priest in 1968, member of the Assumption community, Father Arthur first became involved with prisoners and prostitutes, before becoming, in Lille, the emblematic figure to defend the cause of the Roma.

In particular, he was loudly opposed to Nicolas Sarkozy's policy in 2010, creating controversy by saying that he wanted the latter to have "a heart attack", before apologizing.

He then also returned his medal of the National Order of Merit to denounce the government's policy towards the Roma and the expulsions targeting them.

Lille

"I came to France to find work", the story of a Roma expelled, then rehoused

Lille

Father Arthur turns to Macron to stop the expulsions of Roma

  • Lille

  • Rom

  • Nicolas sarkozy

  • Priest