Tim Daniels
(ZENIT News / Quebec, 13.12.2022).- Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, announced a lawsuit against the woman who in mid-August of 2022 accused him of abuse.
That accusation was part of a Collective Action of several individuals against the Catholic Church. But, given Cardinal Ouellet’s visibility, this was the case that was instrumentalized to highlight the Collective Accusation. At the time, the Canadian Cardinal made a statement in which he reaffirmed his innocence. He described the accusation as defamation.
In a press release on Monday, December 13, 2022, Cardinal Ouellet said:
“Having made sure, preliminarily, to protect the anonymity of the plaintiff, obtaining an order to that effect, I undertake today legal actions for defamation before the courts of Quebec, in order to demonstrate the falsehood of the accusations made against me and re-establish my reputation and honour.
I have never been guilty of censurable behaviour, and much less so of those alleged against other members of the clergy mentioned in the Collective Action. This inappropriate association, intentionally constructed and widely disseminated for improper purposes, must be denounced.
It is clear that victims of sexual abuses have the right to a just indemnity for the harms suffered. I am sensitive to their suffering and reiterate to them my most sincere sympathy. My position does not question their right to justice. (. . . ) it is painfully necessary to defend the truth, my reputation and my honour.”
An independent investigation of the Vatican into this case evidenced that there were no reasons to bring Cardinal Ouellet to canonical judgment. In case of winning the lawsuit, the money obtained by Cardinal Ouellet will go to Canadian Indians’ causes.
