L’Arche community ‘shocked’ by report

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/02/2020 (2046 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Revelations contained in an independent report alleging Jean Vanier, founder of L’Arche International, engaged in “manipulative sexual relationships” with at least six women have devastated the L’Arche community in Winnipeg.

“People are shocked, devastated and upset,” said Jim Lapp, executive director and community leader of L’Arche Winnipeg.

“He was an inspiration to people, he founded the L’Arche communities and we value them,” Lapp said. “He did a lot of good but the behaviour was wrong, and it flies in the face of everything that we as an international federation believe in. Our values are compassion and support for people, not exploitation or abuse.”

Vanier, who died last May at age 90, founded the charity in 1964 to provide alternative living environments for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

The summary report from L’Arche International stated the Canadian Catholic religious figure had relationships with at least six adult women, none of whom had a disability, between 1970 and 1995. The report alleges he “used his power over them to take advantage of them through different kinds of sexual behaviours.”

The women who provided testimony to GCPS Consulting, a U.K.-based group, all described feeling vulnerable to Vanier and at times came from difficult family backgrounds or were seeking a father figure or spiritual guidance, the report stated. The women also described significant barriers to bringing their concerns about the relationships forward due to Vanier’s “charismatic personality” and dominant position within L’Arche.

The inquiry began in April 2019 and the final the report was released on Feb. 22.

Before his passing, Vanier received high praise for his work with L’Arche and was named a Companion of the Order of Canada, received France’s Legion of Honour, Britain’s Templeton Prize — previously awarded to Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama — and authored over 30 books.

According to the report, the relationships Vanier had with the six women were emotionally abusive, characterized by significant imbalances of power, and took place under coercive conditions.

‘He did a lot of good but the behaviour was wrong, and it flies in the face of everything that we as an international federation believe in’– Jim Lapp, executive director of L’Arche Winnipeg

Lapp said L’Arche Canada has provided community leaders in Winnipeg with training to facilitate healing circles for staff, families and residents. L’Arche Winnipeg, which was founded in 1973, has six homes, two apartments and a café. The organization serves 27 members with disabilities. Worldwide, there are 154 L’Arche communities in 38 countries.

L’Arche Winnipeg is independent of L’Arche International, Lapp pointed out, and Vanier last visited the community 22 years ago for its 75th anniversary.

“They (L’Arche Canada) knew that we would have some healing to do afterward,” Lapp said, noting Vanier’s influence and significance to the L’Arche community locally, and Catholic community more generally. “I’ve told some people about it and they are very interested. They say ‘I need a healing circle, and to process and deal with it.’”

Lapp said he’s also been in contact with the Archdiocese of St. Boniface and the Archdiocese of Winnipeg.

A spokesman for the Archdiocese of Saint Boniface said Archbishop Albert LeGatt was not available for an interview Sunday. Calls to the Archdiocese of Winnipeg were not returned by publication time.

L’Arche Winnipeg has begun a review of its policies and procedures and will be submitting its governing documents to L’Arche Canada, along with all other Canadian branches, Lapp said.

“They will be making recommendations for us to change if we need to, and we’re certainly open to that,” Lapp said.

The policy review will ensure all people within the L’Arche Winnipeg community are made to feel safe and supported, he said, and to identify any gaps that may exist when reporting harassment and abuse.

“I think the people who are part of L’Arche might have been inspired to come by Jean Vanier, but they’re here because of the relationship with the people,” Lapp said. “It’s really about our community of L’Arche Winnipeg together have made something of value, of relationships, so I’m pretty sure we’ll continue on and maybe even be strengthened as we go through this really difficult process.”

— with files from The Canadian Press

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca