The Archdiocese of Quebec confirmed Friday that it had received a second complaint in 2020 regarding allegations of sexual misconduct against Cardinal Marc Ouellet, the former archbishop of the capital.
In a letter dated June 23, 2021, the 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 a preliminary investigation, internally.
However, following this investigation, the pope decided “not to accept 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 letter, Cardinal Lacroix specifies that the preliminary investigation was carried out remotely, because of the pandemic, and without the “direct or indirect participation of the Archdiocese of Quebec”. This investigation, he writes, was carried out according to the procedure established by the pope in 2019 to evaluate allegations of sexual assault or misconduct. Cardinal Lacroix adds that testimonies have been collected “both in Quebec and in Rome”.
The letter was published this week by the French Catholic weekly Weekly Golias, who redacted the complainant’s name. Cardinal Lacroix’s letter does not elaborate on the details of the allegations, other than to speak of “sexual misconduct.”
Valérie Roberge-Dion, spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Quebec, confirmed the authenticity of this letter on Friday.
“As soon as Cardinal Gérald C. Lacroix received this complaint, it was immediately forwarded to Cardinal Ouellet’s immediate superior, Pope Francis, as established procedure provides,” Ms. Roberge-Dion wrote in an email to The Canadian Press. From that moment, the investigation was entirely directed by the supreme authority. »
After Pamela Groleau
Last week, another woman who accuses Cardinal Ouellet of sexual assault revealed her identity and denounced that the Catholic Church would have tried to silence her “with threats and intimidation”.
Pamela 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. Ms. Groleau explained that she initially wanted to remain anonymous to protect her family, her job and her mental health.
In her lawsuit, Ms. 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, allegedly slipped his hand behind his back and would have touched the buttocks during an event in the capital.
The allegations have not been tested by the courts and Cardinal Ouellet, who is now a member of the Roman Curia at the Vatican, categorically denies Ms. Groleau’s allegations.
He responded last month by suing her in Superior Court for defamation; the cardinal claims $100,000 in damages.
In the introductory request for the defamation lawsuit, the cardinal maintains that he has no memory of having met Mrs. Groleau. “He doesn’t know her,” the court document reads.
In a statement published in December on the Vatican News website, Cardinal Ouellet explains that he is bringing a defamation lawsuit “in order to demonstrate the falsity of the allegations made against [lui] and restore [sa] reputation and [son] honor “.