Restorative Justice Week 2009

Church Support in Times of Crisis.
Monique Lépine and Christine Lecompte

Monique Lépine, mother of Marc Lépine, tells us her story.

Monique explains. "On December 6, 1989, I was informed that my son was the shooter responsible for the senseless massacre of 14 young women at the École polytechnique de Montréal, following which he, the crazed gunman, took his own life. In the aftermath of this brutal shock, 13 years of silence and contemplation was needed for the Lord to heal my emotional pain."

Throughout all those years of pain and suffering, Monique's new church, Église Nouvelle Vie, sustained her in her recovery. This church advocates a community therapy approach which it calls 'a spiritual hospital' where pastors work with and train men and women to offer individuals the personal support they need to heal and to restore normalcy in all aspects of their life (family, emotional, psychological, and spiritual). "As a nurse for 40 years, I immediately embraced the church's 'spiritual hospital' approach to help ease people's suffering." The church is affiliated with the Association Chrétienne pour la francophonie (ACF), an association that strives to respond to human needs.

Under Quebec legislation, Monique was not considered a direct victim because she was the mother of a criminal; as a result, she was not eligible for any assistance or services offered to victims. "As a collateral victim, I had to pay for my own care. At Église Nouvelle Vie, I found the openness I needed to learn to face society once again."

Monique recounts. "I asked for a meeting with Pastor Denis Morissette, director of the pastoral care department. He helped me find my way back to the community and encouraged me to volunteer at a food bank adjacent to the church. He met with me individually for one hour a week to help me through my day-to-day challenges. I also requested a meeting with the senior pastor of the church, Rev. Claude Houde, to ask that the church help me deal with journalists who harassed me every year. I needed the church to protect me and my private life."

After two years, Monique had the privilege of speaking publicly to more than 2,000 people. "In addition, I was entrusted with the task of facilitating specific groups that assist women who have fallen victim to all sorts of addictions. On a number of occasions, I also met with people who were grieving to help them understand and get through this difficult time in their lives."

Monique's healing process continued as she agreed to take part in a restorative justice program. When she was matched with a murderer, she was able to identify with the killer through a transfer of emotions. It was as though she was speaking with her own son and allowing herself to face her own suffering. She was able to forgive her son for his horrific act and the devastating toll it took on so many people. This resilience-building experience allows individuals to "transform their suffering" as Boris Cyrulnick so aptly puts it; it gave her the courage to carry on, knowing that her presence was accepted.

Please register for the National Symposium on Restorative Justice
to be held in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, November 18th - 20th, 2009
Contact Noreen Byrne at (709) 631-0069, cms@nfld.net