(Montreal) The Archdiocese of Quebec confirmed Friday that it had received a second complaint in 2020 concerning allegations of sexual misconduct targeting 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 Golias Hebdo, which 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,” wrote Ms.me Roberge-Dion in an email to The Canadian Press. From that moment, the investigation was entirely directed by the supreme authority. »
Last week, another woman who accuses Cardinal Ouellet of sexual assault came forward and accused the Catholic Church of trying to silence her “with threats and intimidation.”
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, allegedly slipped his hand behind her back and touched her buttocks during of 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 Mrs.me Groleau.
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 suit, the cardinal maintains that he has no memory of ever having met Ms.me 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 filing a defamation suit “in order to demonstrate the falsity of the allegations made against me and to restore my reputation and my honor”.
This dispatch was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta Exchanges and The Canadian Press for the news.