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	Priest Survivors Quilt Displayed By Ellwood Shreve Observer January 4, 2010 http://www.theobserver.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2246193 Healing can come in many forms. For some of the women sexually abused by Fr. Charles Sylvestre, it came in the shape of a survivors' quilt. The quilt was unveiled recently at the Chatham branch of the Chatham-Kent Public Library, and will remain on display there until the end of March. "It was our ultimate goal to bring awareness of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of some members of the clergy," said Sarnia's Irene Williams, one of the 47 victims Sylvestre was convicted of indecently assaulting three years ago. "Most importantly was that if we could save even just one child from going through what the victims of Sylvestre suffered, then our goal was accomplished." Each panel offers a personal message and insight with words such as courage, peace, hope, protect, innocence, faith, healing and purity. Chatham resident Lou Ann Soontiens, who made a panel for the quilt, said being part of the process with the other victims was a bonding experience. "It's like the sisters I never had," she said. "It's very powerful for me because I'm an only child." Other contributors were close to the Sylvestre trial, but not victims. Theresa Ouellette-Klein, manager of victim/witness assistance program at the Chatham courthouse, personally commissioned artist Constance Meloch to create a watercolour painting titled: "Indestructible Souls" to represent the 47 women who journeyed through the criminal process. The watercolour features an autumn setting to represent the conviction and sentencing date of Sylvestre, which was Oct. 6, 2006. He died three months later at age 84 in a prison hospital. Crown Attorney Paul Bailey, who provided a panel with the scales of justice, said he was troubled because he wanted to say something that would leave the survivors feeling proud of what they accomplished and are moving forward. However, the recent scandal involving Bishop Raymond Lahey from Nova Scotia, who is charged with possession of child pornography, shows "there is a problem that is very, very deeply rooted within the institution," he said. Bailey said all sexual abuse is horrendous, but some victims at least have their faith to lean on. He added those who suffer sexual abuse at the hands of clergy have that taken away from them and often lead a life filled with intense shame and guilt. Bailey praised the victims for their courage and strength in telling their stories and raising awareness of this issue. "It's only through dragging evil out of darkness into the light of day . . . that you destroy that evil," he said. E-mail: eshreve@chathamdailynews.ca
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