Comments on: Grenville Christian College - the investigation widens - OPP

By: Bruce Atchison

Bruce Atchison — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 17:18:31 +0000

Greetings;

Though I didn’t go to Grenville, I was sent to a school for blind children, hundreds of miles from my home and all I loved. I’ve written a book on my experiences but I’m afraid the school bully might try to sue. Where can I find reliable information on my options in the event that I’m threatened with a lawsuit? I’ve been very careful not to libel anybody and I’ve changed some names. Even so, the school bully might bluff and claim he can win against me. Where can I find advice on my options and what the bully would have to do in the event he sues me?

By: Bene Diction

Bene Diction — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:43:20 +0000

Tim, I’m glad to hear you have found peace and healing.

Great credit goes to Grenville students who had the courage to speak up a year before Michael Valby of The Globe and Mail carried the story. He too deserves credit for bringing the abuse into the light. As does the Bishop for moving swiftly and learning from prior residential abuse handling by his church and the police for investigating.

By: Tim Blacklock

Tim Blacklock — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 13:11:43 +0000

Thank you so much every one who shares their stories. I have been plagued my whole life since I left GCC. I understand the memories of abuse and corporal punishment and my parents now finally realize what a nightmare I had to endure under Farnsworths disapline tactics. I was at odds for many years with my parents for their decision to send me to GCC and it has been difficult to explain the suffering I had to endure. When its your word against a Reverands its almost immposible to be heard, when its hundreds and possibly thousands of wounded souls its impossible not to be heard. Thank you to all of the staff that has come forward to cleanse their souls and let the truth be known. Thank you to Bishop Bruce for running a class act and looking into all of the alligations with a serious intent to find truth. Thank you to all the lawyers and police for working hard to find the truth. For the first time in 31 years I feel like I might be able to finally move on and get the healing I am desperatly looking for. Please keep shareing.

By: TMW

TMW — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 15:36:00 +0000

I would encourage you to read the factnet.org site. The posters on that site are not only GCC students, but also former Community of Jesus members. There are some which speak of the Berean days on that site.

By: Dale Jeffrey

Dale Jeffrey — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:59:00 +0000

I was a student at the College when it was called Berean Christian School, and while Chuck Farnsworth, Headmaster Doctor, Dan Bandeshevski, and many others under the oversight of Al and Mary Haig regularly administered horrendous corporal punishment and psychological/spiritual abuse to students there, including myself and my friends. I was even forcibly “exorcised” to remove what they regarded (God told them) as a demon of lust. Though it was not “Grenville” then, and was not formally Anglican, does that mean that my story or experience would not apply? I would really like to hear from someone, and any other “Berean” survivors. Nearly 40 years later and I still have the nightmare. Amazingly, I have since become an Anglican priest, living in Saskatoon.