Distinguished Cardinal Marc Ouellet is accused of sexual assault in class-action lawsuit filed in Canada’s Quebec province.
Pope Francis has mentioned there may be inadequate proof to research a distinguished Canadian cardinal who has been accused of sexual assault in a class-action lawsuit towards members of the Catholic diocese within the province of Quebec.
In an announcement on Thursday, a Vatican spokesman mentioned the pope had decided after a “preliminary investigation” that there have been “inadequate parts to open a canonical investigation for sexual assault by Cardinal [Marc] Ouellet”.
The Vatican was advised in regards to the allegations towards Ouellet in 2021 and the pope appointed a priestly investigator, Jacques Servais, to look into the case. Servais subsequently suggested towards launching a full church investigation, the Vatican mentioned.
Ouellet, who beforehand served because the archbishop of Quebec Metropolis, is amongst roughly 88 clergymen and employees members of the Quebec diocese named within the lawsuit launched this week.
Canadian media reported that greater than 100 victims have alleged within the authorized submitting that they had been victims of sexual assault, largely once they had been minors and predominantly within the Nineteen Fifties and Sixties.
Ouellet’s accuser – recognized in court docket paperwork solely as “F” – mentioned he inappropriately touched her and made feedback that made her really feel uncomfortable throughout occasions between 2008 and 2010. She was a pastoral intern on the time of the alleged incidents.
“F freezes up because of this intrusion and doesn’t know learn how to react,” the criticism reads, referring to one of many alleged incidents, as reported by Montreal newspaper La Presse. “F is upset and has a way of uneasiness that stays along with her for the remainder of the day. She advised colleagues about what occurred afterwards.”
Ouellet, 78, at the moment serves as prefect for the Congregation of Bishops, which advises the pope on which clergymen needs to be made bishops. He additionally was as soon as thought of a robust candidate to be pope.
The accusations towards Ouellet come simply weeks after Pope Francis travelled to Canada, together with a cease in Quebec Metropolis, to apologise for abuses dedicated by members of the Catholic Church towards Indigenous youngsters at residential colleges.
The Roman Catholic Church beforehand held great affect over day by day life in Quebec, a predominantly French-speaking province, together with in schooling and well being care.
Whereas a majority of individuals within the province nonetheless determine as Catholics, the church performs a a lot smaller function than it as soon as did in lots of households’ lives.
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