Poulin testifies paddle used only for last-resort discipline

Journal-Pioneer/October 1, 2002
By Andy Walker

Charlottetown -- The 78-year-old former nun accused of beating five children with a paddle in a rural Queens County commune -- who testified she considers herself a prophet because she preaches the word of God -- finally entered the witness box in a Charlottetown courtroom Monday.

Over the past two weeks, Mr. Justice David Jenkins has heard testimony of routine beatings with a homemade paddle known as the rod. However, Lucille Poulin echoed the earlier testimony of some of her followers: that the rod was only used as the punishment of last resort.

With a worn Bible in her hands, she quoted various passages she claimed indicated children who were not disciplined would be destined to spend eternity in hell.

She admitted she had a struggle with using the paddle, but said she felt called to obey God's word.

She said God told her such punishment was necessary to bring children to the knowledge of the grace of God and the plan He has for them.

The former nun said there would be a "complete sense of calm" in the commune after the rod was administered.

She said she wanted to make sure she approached the situation with the proper spirit and never in anger.

She also children were asked to lie sideways on the chair and never have their head stuck through the bars.

The commune leader said there was also a prayer session after each beating and she said many times the children would leave happy, knowing they had paid for their wrongdoing.

Poulin said there was only one child that was ever given more than 14 strokes. During the Crown testimony, the five children removed from the compound in July of 2001 told stories of beatings of up to 39 times with the rod.

That number was considered the maximum because it was the number of whippings Jesus Christ received before his death.

She told the court the rod was reserved for such offenses as lying, disturbing fellow students during home schooling or bed-wetting.

Poulin told the court she became a nun at the age of 15 but spent much of her life searching for God and was afraid she was going to hell.

She described life in the commune as a relationship of genuine love between the members.

Crown lawyer Darrell Coombs began his cross-examination of Poulin this morning. The questioning is expected to last all day and possibly go into Wednesday.