(ANSA) - VATICAN CITY, AUGUST 19 - Canadian cardinal Marc Ouellet, one of Pope Francis' most important collaborators, defends himself.
His name has ended up in a broader dossier to the attention of Canadian justice on presumptuous acts committed by the clergy from 1940 to today.
He is accused by a woman for an alleged sexual assault in 2008, during a cocktail when Ouellet was archbishop of Quebec.
"Having learned of the false accusations made against me by the complainant (F.), I firmly deny - is the Cardinal's reply - that I have made inappropriate gestures on his person and I consider the interpretation and dissemination of these accusations as sexual assaults defamatory".
The cardinal, who leads the delicate dicastery that collaborates with the Pontiff in the choice of bishops, hopes to be able to defend himself even in court: "If a civil investigation were to be opened, I intend to participate actively so that the truth is established and my innocence is recognized" he says.
(HANDLE).