Family, strangers bid adieu to 7-year-old girl: ‘A lot of outrage and pain’
GRANBY, Que. — A seven-year-old girl whose death has become a rallying cry for change to Quebec’s youth protection system was laid to rest Thursday at a funeral attended by hundreds of mourners —including many complete strangers.
A hush fell over those gathered as pall bearers carried the child-sized wooden coffin into St-Eugene Church in Granby, Que.
The 78-year-old church was decorated with several dozen stuffed animals amid the ornate stained-glass windows and religious statues.
“There were numerous messages — but above all to the little girl, we asked forgiveness,” said Serge Pelletier, the priest who presided over the sombre ceremony that he said was meant to help the family mourn.