A retired Quebec cardinal is seeking to clear his name in a defamation lawsuit following allegations of sexual assault. Cardinal Marc Ouellet filed the suit against a woman who initially made claims of inappropriate contact in a broader class-action lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Quebec.
The legal action comes as attorneys representing Pamela Groleau, the woman who first accused Ouellet, have presented additional claims from two other women alleging sexual harassment or uncomfortable behavior by the cardinal. The case underscores the ongoing scrutiny of misconduct allegations within the Catholic Church.
Ouellet, 79, previously alleged that Groleau’s claims – that he kissed or touched her inappropriately on four occasions – were defamatory. He maintains he has no recollection of ever meeting Groleau and asserts her account is inconsistent with his public persona. According to court documents reviewed by Le Journal de Québec, Ouellet is seeking $100,000 in damages.
In a statement released June 13, Ouellet responded to the new allegations, stating, “As part of the defamation suit I initiated to clear my name, Ms. Groleau is now alleging that I have engaged in reprehensible behavior towards other people.” He added, “Ms. Groleau’s view of things is not in keeping with the person I am and amounts to new defamatory allegations.”
One of the new accusers alleges that in 1992, while in Montreal preparing for an event, Ouellet pinned her against a table and rubbed his pelvis on her. EWTN News reports that Ouellet intends to demonstrate the allegations are unfounded in court and respond with “complete transparency.”
Ouellet has led the Vatican’s office for choosing bishops for over a dozen years. He stressed the need for the judicial process to determine the truth of the accusations. The original lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Quebec involved numerous priests and allegations of child abuse. The National Catholic Register too reported on the developing situation.
