The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) on February 24, 2020, issued the following statement regarding the results of the independent inquiry into abuse charges against Jean Vanier, the late founder of L’Arche International.
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It is with a heavy heart that the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) learned over the weekend of the shocking results of an independent inquiry, undertaken at the initiative of L’Arche International, to investigate allegations of abuse by its founder Jean Vanier. The inquiry uncovered disturbing allegations by women (non-disabled) who were abused emotionally and sexually. This news is all the more difficult and incomprehensible given that Mr. Vanier had a profound influence on the way people with mental and physical disabilities are perceived and treated today, and his writings have had a positive influence on people’s lives within many different cultures and languages. Nonetheless, any harm that was done cannot be excused.