PARIS: A Catholic figure who helped improve conditions for the developmentally disabled in multiple countries over half a century sexually abused at least six women, a report produced for his French-based charity has found.

According to the report released by L’Arche International on Saturday, the women’s descriptions provide evidence enough to show that Jean Vanier engaged in “manipulative sexual relationships” over a period from 1970 to 2005, usually with a psychological hold over the alleged victims. Vanier, a Canadian, died last year at age 90.

The alleged victims felt deprived of their free will and so the sexual activity was coerced or took place under coercive conditions, the report said. It did not rule out potential other victims.

None of the women was disabled, a significant point given the Vatican has long sought to portray any sexual relationship between religious leaders and other adults as consensual unless there was clear evidence of disability. The #MeToo and #ChurchToo movements, however, have forced a recognition that power imbalances such as those in spiritual relationships can breed abuse.

During the inquiry, commissioned by L’Arche last year and carried out by the independent, UK-based GCPS Consulting group, six adult, non-disabled women said Vanier had engaged in sexual relations with them as they were seeking spiritual direction.

According to the report, the women, who have no links to each other, reported similar facts and Vanier’s sexual misconduct was often associated with alleged spiritual and mystical justifications.” A statement released by L’Arche France stressed that some women still have deep wounds.” The report noted similarities with the pattern of abuse of the Rev. Thomas Philippe, a Catholic priest Vanier called his spiritual father. Philippe, who died in 1993, has been accused of sexual abuse by several women.

A statement from L’Arche International said analysis of archives shows that Vanier adopted some of Father Thomas Philippe’s deviant theories and practices. Philippe was banned from exercising any public or private ministry in a trial led by the Catholic Church in 1956 for his theories and the sexual practices that stemmed from them.

In a letter to the charity members, the Leaders of LArche International, Stephan Posner and Stacy Cates Carney, told of their shock at the news, and condemned Vanier’s actions.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2020