Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet, who holds one of the most eminent functions of the Vatican government, announced on Tuesday December 13 that he had filed a complaint for defamation before the Quebec courts against a woman accusing him of sexual assault.
"
I am undertaking today a legal action for defamation before the Quebec courts in order to demonstrate the falsity of the allegations made against me and to restore my reputation and my honor
," he said in a press release.
“Inappropriate association”
In August, the 78-year-old cardinal, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, was accused of inappropriate touching of an intern between 2008 and 2010 when he was archbishop of Quebec, according to a document resulting from the collective action authorized by the Superior Court of the French-speaking province.
Supported by Pope Francis, Bishop Ouellet had "
firmly denied " these "
defamatory
" accusations
, saying he was ready to participate in a trial to prove "
his innocence
".
“
I have never had reprehensible gestures or behavior like those reproached to other members of the clergy targeted by the Collective Action.
This inappropriate association, made intentionally and widely disseminated for improper purposes, must be denounced
, ”he said again on Tuesday.
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“
Any possible financial compensation received within the framework of these procedures will be paid in full for the benefit of the fight against sexual abuse among Aboriginal people in Canada
”, he further specified.
Marc Ouellet was cited among the favorites of the last conclave at the end of which the Argentinian cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected pope in 2013.
In August, Pope Francis considered that there were "
insufficient elements to open a canonical investigation (religious, editor's note)
" in this file.
