Religious Figure. He was a French Protestant clergyman, who was for many years the leading figure in French Protestantism and a pioneer of the ecumenical movement. During his career, he held the two highest positions in French Protestantism. After his poor vision kept him from joining the French Navy, he had a spiritual conversion and decided to change his major from law and to study theology. He did fulfill his military service from 1901 to 1902. After having submitted his 1905 thesis on "Calvin's Catechisms," he was consecrated and was appointed to the Aouste-sur-Sye parish in the Drôme department. This was the parish where his uncle, Tommy Fallot, a Lutheran pastor and founder of Christian socialism in France, had served for nine years. In 1912, he met American evangelist, John Mott, who would later receive the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize for launching the ecumenical movement. During World War I, he served in a medical position, nursing the wounded physically and spiritually. After the war, in October of 1918, he was assigned to the Parisian parish Passy-Annonciation, where he remained until his death in 1953. During World War II, he fought against discrimination notably towards the Jews in the name of the French Protestant Federation and was a member of the French Resistance fight against Nazi Forces. For the part he played during the Holocaust, he received in 1988 from the State of Israel the honor of the Righteous Among the Nations. Working for all churches to join together, he took part in 1962 as an observer in Pope John XXIII's Vatican II Council by attending the 3rd and 4th Council sessions. During his career, he met with other Roman Catholic popes. He was known for his radio message during Lent. He was elected a member of the Political and Moral Science Academy in 1947 and the French Academy in 1963. He was president of the Protestant Federation of France from 1929 to 1961, president of the National Council of the Reformed Church of France from 1938 to 1950, and president of the World Council of Churches from 1948 to 1954. He published over 20 texts on French Protestantism and related subjects. His last text in 1968, "The Long Road to Unity," has been translated in various languages including English. He received the honor of Grand Officer of the Légion d'honneur. A French postage stamp with his image was issued celebrating the centenary of his birth. After marrying twice, he became a widower twice. He had a daughter and three sons. One son, Jean-Marc Boegner, became a highly decorated French Ambassador.