Targeted by allegations of assault by another woman, Cardinal Marc Ouellet continues to have “nothing to hide”. In a letter published on Saturday, he denies having committed “any reprehensible behavior”, rather claiming to have “fully” cooperated in the investigation of this second complaint.
“I have nothing to hide and have acted with complete transparency in this process,” wrote the former archbishop of the capital in a short statement sent to the media at the start of the day.
The Archdiocese of Quebec confirmed Friday that it had received a second complaint in 2020 regarding allegations of sexual misconduct against Cardinal Marc Ouellet.
In a letter dated June 23, 2021, revealed by the French Catholic weekly Weekly Goliasthe current Archbishop of Quebec, Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, first informs the complainant that her allegations were “directly transmitted” by her to Pope Francis, who then ordered the holding of a preliminary investigation, internally .
Following this investigation, however, the pope decided “not to uphold the accusation made”, writes Cardinal Lacroix. The Archbishop of Quebec explains that Pope Francis has found “no reason to subsequently consider the incrimination at the expense of Cardinal Ouellet”.
In his public statement issued Saturday, Cardinal Ouellet says he has not yet commented on the magazine’s report Golias to remain “respectful of the confidentiality of the Vatican’s Vos estis lux mundi complaint process.”
“I confirm that I have voluntarily participated in an investigation into this complaint and have fully cooperated in this regard. […] I was ultimately informed that the complaint had been rejected, in particular because the complainant had chosen, after filing her complaint, not to meet with the people responsible for the investigation,” the cardinal continued.
The latter denies “having committed any reprehensible behavior towards this woman”, who identifies herself only by the pseudonym of Marie.
“I would like to point out that, to my knowledge, no request from this woman to reactivate the complaint process has been made. I have not been the subject of any other complaint from him, both civilly and criminally,” insists Mr. Ouellet, reiterating “the importance for all victims of sexual abuse to denounce and not to be discouraged by this type of publication”.
Pamela Groleau’s fight
Recall that last week, another woman who accuses Cardinal Ouellet of sexual assault revealed her identity and accused the Catholic Church of having tried to silence her “with threats and intimidation”.
Previously known as “M.me F”, Paméla Groleau is part of a large class action brought in August against the Archdiocese of Quebec by 139 plaintiffs, who accuse dozens of priests of sexual assault. Mme Groleau explained that she initially wanted to remain anonymous to protect her family, her job and her sanity.
In his pursuit, Mr.me Groleau accuses Cardinal Ouellet of several sexual assaults committed between 2008 – when she was 23 – and 2010. The prelate, who was then Archbishop of Quebec, notably slipped his hand on her back and touched her buttocks during of an event in the capital.
“I am doing this fight for myself, but also for all the victims of the clergy who for decades have sought to be heard and recognized. […] This fight, I lead it to regain my dignity which was torn from me, ”explained the pastoral worker who had invited a handful of journalists to the office of the law firm Arsenault Wee Dufresne, in Montreal.
For his part, Cardinal Ouellet again “categorically” denied having attacked Ms.me Groleau. He filed a $100,000 defamation lawsuit against her just over a month ago. His lawyers have suggested that Mr. Ouellet has no memory of having met Mr.me Groleau, and that his international reputation was greatly tarnished during this affair.
With The Canadian Press and Caroline Touzin, The Press