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Content Warnings
This collection contains in part content by and relating to Jean Vanier, Thomas Philippe, and M.D. (Marie-Dominique) Philippe. All three were credibly accused of sexually abusing many women (none with an intellectual disability) and the accusations were confirmed by the Study Commission convened by the International Federation of L’Arche Communities. Please see the linked report below. The University of St. Michael’s College and the International Federation of L’Arche Communities condemn the actions of these individuals and acknowledges the harm that resulted from them.
The International Federation of L’Arche Communities convened a Study Commission in 2020 to investigate the matter. Here are links to learn more about the commission and to read the published report from 2023:
- https://www.larche.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Letter_Federation-International_Leaders-2023-01-30-EN.pdf
- https://commissiondetude-jeanvanier.org/commissiondetudeindependante2023-empriseetabus/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Report_Control-and-Abuse_EN.pdf
The collections also contain outdated or offensive language which reflects theological and cultural thinking of the time or of individual speakers. This language does not reflect the opinions or position of the University of St. Michael’s College or the International Federation of L’Arche Communities.
History
L'Arche Canada is a not-for-profit social service organization that creates and operates supportive communities and programs for people with intellectual disabilities. L'Arche Canada is a member of the International Federation of L'Arche Communities (founded in France in 1964 by Jean Vanier). The first L'Arche community in Canada, L'Arche Daybreak, was established in 1969 in Richmond Hill, Ontario. As of 2021, there are 29 communities operating across Canada.
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Fonds consists of organizational, administrative, and community records for L'Arche Canada, including meeting minutes, financial and annual reports, mandates, policies, procedures, correspondence, publications, audiovisual materials, and files maintained by former L'Arche Canada National Leaders Zoël Breau and Hollee Card. Materials in the fonds span three decades of L'Arche Canada operations from 1989-2018 and chart the evolution of the organization at national, regional, and community levels.
While the fonds primarily details the functions and activities of L'Arche Canada, a number of records pertain to L'Arche International and describe the relationship between L'Arche Canada and L'Arche International. These records include meeting minutes, issuances, mandates, policies, reports, and information on global initiatives. The fonds also includes correspondence from Henri Nouwen and newsletters from Jean Vanier.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Materials in Series 1 are actively being processed.
Materials in Series 2-12 have not been processed however a detailed box listing is available upon request.
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- L'Arche International (Subject)
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Created by J Gilmore, 9 January 2022.