Ontario’s Catholic community is struggling to come to terms with an explosive report that found respected Canadian humanitarian Jean Vanier had sexually abused six women.

The findings were contained in an internal report released Saturday by Vanier’s French-based charity, L’Arche International. The report said Vanier, who died last year at age 90, engaged in “manipulative sexual relationships” that took place under “coercive conditions,” from 1970 to 2005.

L’Arche is an international private charity that helps people with intellectual disabilities through support networks, programming and housing.

According to L’Arche’s report, their inquiry team received allegations from six women and directly interviewed five of them.

“We are both shocked and saddened by these findings,” wrote Lori Vaanholt, spokesperson for L’Arche, in a statement. “We honour the courage of the women who came forward and stand in solidarity with them and all victims of abuse. We unreservedly condemn these actions which are in total contradiction with our core values and the fundamental principles of respect for the dignity of each person.”

Toronto Catholic District School Board trustee Maria Rizzo said on Twitter Saturday that she was having trouble processing the allegations and that she was in shock.

“Many asking about changing name of TCDSB school named after Jean Vanier. I haven’t processed allegations due to shock. We need to reflect & consult school community as a 1st step. Reflect again,” Rizzo tweeted.

There are half-a-dozen Catholic schools in the Greater Toronto area and neighbouring communities named after Vanier, who had been nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize.

“We are deeply concerned about this news and for those individuals and communities that may be impacted. We will be providing staff and students at the school with supports including social workers on Monday in case those services are required by anyone in our school community,” said TCDSB spokesperson Shazia Vlahos.

Peter Fracassi is a trustee on the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board whose ward covers four schools, including one named after Vanier. He told the Star Saturday that if the reports are true, he would support changing the name of the school, and added he will discuss the matter with the rest of the board at a meeting in the coming week.

A media officer for Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board said after reaching out to the chair of the board and the director of education, they will need to evaluate how the news of the report impacts their district and Catholic community.

“This week, as a board, we will be seeking more information and discussing next steps. At this time we are holding all of those involved in our prayers,” said Tracy Austin.

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During its investigation, the L’Arche team reviewed statements and interviews from more than 30 other people in addition to the alleged victims, including former leaders and staff both from L’Arche and outside the charity, as well as a number of experts.

“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.

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The report also said none of the women were 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.

This is not the first time there has been a call to change the name of schools amid controversy. In 2017, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario and other groups said that Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first prime minister, should not have his name on any schools because of his creation of residential schools — which many consider an act of genocide against Indigenous people.

With files from Ilya Banares and The Associated Press