05-03-2006, 07:40 PM
Here is the full translation of Claude's comments and the article about the vandalism that he noted....(Thanks to Anne McLaughlin)
From Claude Bourguignon
- May 03, 2006
Hello everyone,
There have been two pieces of bad news in a short time.
First there was the vandalism of the St.Canut Cemetery that occurred at the end of April, 2006, where there are the remains of Irish families with direct links to those of St.Columban. Last week the Chapel at Bonniebrook, in St. Columban, was destroyed.
Here is a copy of the story that appeared in the May 3rd edition of the Echo du Nord newspaper (by Louis-Xavier Michaud).
?Barely two weeks after the St.Canut Cemetery, it is now the small log wood Chapel at the Bonniebrook Golf Club in St.Columban that has become the target of vandals during the night of Thursday to Friday.
Two of the three stained glass windows representing saints that rose above the altar were destroyed by the criminals. These windows were imported from Italy almost 80 years ago, and they were true pieces of art.
At least one side of each of 12 other and more sober stained glass windows that surrounded the building, were also broken. It is as though the vandals chose to deliberately break anything that could be ruined.
In addition, the inside of the simple chapel, built in 1936, was also not spared. The tabernacle was broken, and a picture showing Jesus at the foot of the altar was unhooked. Two small wooden frames depicting the Way of the Cross appear to have been used to start the fire in this entirely wooden structure.
?This was the first year that we placed a lock on the door? commented Gilles Gareau, the golf club owner. ?During the winter we had noticed some young people in the vicinity and we had decided to lock the doors. But I never thought that one would focus on the chapel, it was so valuable. ?
Mr. Gareau was overcome when he realized the breadth of the destruction. ? One of the stained glass windows was broken mid-March. It is only this morning when I went in with a Restoration specialist that I saw that the vandals had returned. ?
During the summer, Mr. Gareau would periodically lend his chapel to newly married couples who wanted their ceremony in an intimate spot. With these damages, he does not expect that this event can be repeated this year. ?I do not have any insurance and the repairs would cost me at least $20 000. It?s very sad; this was a very unique place. ?
/VandalismCBourguignon.Txt/
From Claude Bourguignon
- May 03, 2006
Hello everyone,
There have been two pieces of bad news in a short time.
First there was the vandalism of the St.Canut Cemetery that occurred at the end of April, 2006, where there are the remains of Irish families with direct links to those of St.Columban. Last week the Chapel at Bonniebrook, in St. Columban, was destroyed.
Here is a copy of the story that appeared in the May 3rd edition of the Echo du Nord newspaper (by Louis-Xavier Michaud).
?Barely two weeks after the St.Canut Cemetery, it is now the small log wood Chapel at the Bonniebrook Golf Club in St.Columban that has become the target of vandals during the night of Thursday to Friday.
Two of the three stained glass windows representing saints that rose above the altar were destroyed by the criminals. These windows were imported from Italy almost 80 years ago, and they were true pieces of art.
At least one side of each of 12 other and more sober stained glass windows that surrounded the building, were also broken. It is as though the vandals chose to deliberately break anything that could be ruined.
In addition, the inside of the simple chapel, built in 1936, was also not spared. The tabernacle was broken, and a picture showing Jesus at the foot of the altar was unhooked. Two small wooden frames depicting the Way of the Cross appear to have been used to start the fire in this entirely wooden structure.
?This was the first year that we placed a lock on the door? commented Gilles Gareau, the golf club owner. ?During the winter we had noticed some young people in the vicinity and we had decided to lock the doors. But I never thought that one would focus on the chapel, it was so valuable. ?
Mr. Gareau was overcome when he realized the breadth of the destruction. ? One of the stained glass windows was broken mid-March. It is only this morning when I went in with a Restoration specialist that I saw that the vandals had returned. ?
During the summer, Mr. Gareau would periodically lend his chapel to newly married couples who wanted their ceremony in an intimate spot. With these damages, he does not expect that this event can be repeated this year. ?I do not have any insurance and the repairs would cost me at least $20 000. It?s very sad; this was a very unique place. ?
/VandalismCBourguignon.Txt/