By Canadian Press

Second allegation of sexual misconduct surfaces against prominent Quebec cardinal

Jan 20, 2023 | 11:13 AM

MONTREAL — The Roman Catholic archdiocese of Quebec City has confirmed that it received a second complaint involving allegations of sexual misconduct by Cardinal Marc Ouellet, the former archbishop in the Quebec capital.

A letter dated June 23, 2021, from the current Quebec City archbishop informs the woman that her allegations were “directly transmitted” to Pope Francis, who ordered an internal investigation that ultimately rejected the complaint against Ouellet.

The letter was published this week by the French Catholic weekly Golias Hebdo, with the woman’s name redacted, and a spokesperson for the archdiocese confirmed today that the letter is authentic.

Last week, another woman alleging sexual misconduct by Ouellet, who is now head of the Vatican’s bishops’ office, revealed her identity and accused the Catholic Church of trying to silence her through “threats and intimidation.” 

Paméla Groleau, who is part of a class-action lawsuit filed in August against the Quebec City archdiocese, said she initially kept her identity secret to protect her family, her job and her mental health.

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The allegations have not been tested in court, and Ouellet last month countersued Groleau in Quebec Superior Court for defamation, denying the allegations and seeking $100,000 in damages.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 20, 2023.

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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

The Canadian Press