(ZENIT News / Rome, 19.08.2022).- A day after the Vatican announced that, following an investigation carried out by a priest appointed specifically by the Pope to see to this matter, there was no evidence to initiate a Canonical Investigation against Cardinal Marc Ouellet. Now the Canadian Cardinal himself has made a brief statement to the media and to public opinion.
Not only does Cardinal Ouellet deny the inappropriate gestures attributed to him by the woman who accuses him from anonymity, but he also describes as “defamatory” the interpretations that the woman makes of the gestures attributed to him without having the courage to show her face.
Cardinal Ouellet said that in case a civil investigation is opened, he is determined to take part actively in it “so that the truth is established and my innocence is acknowledged.’
Here is a translation of Cardinal Ouellet’s complete statement:
Statement of Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops
Having learned of the false accusations made against me by the complainant (F.), I firmly deny having made inappropriate gestures against her person, and I consider defamatory the interpretation and diffusion of these accusations as sexual aggressions. If a civil investigation is opened, I intend to take part actively in it so that the truth is established and my innocence is acknowledged.
Marc Cardinal Ouellet
Translation of the Italian original by ZENIT’s Editorial Director and, into English, by Virginia M. Forrester
