Cardinal Lacroix Denies Allegations and the Catholic Bishops of Canada Issue a Statement Concerning the Accused Prelate
Two recent statements regarding the allegations of assault against Cardinal Lacroix. The first from the President of Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops Statement on the recent allegations of sexual assault and the second from the Diocese of Quebec with a statement from the Cardinal himself:
January 30, 2024, Ottawa – Bishop William T. McGrattan, Bishop of the Diocese of Calgary and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, has issued the following statement regarding the recent allegations of sexual assault concerning His Eminence Gérald Cyprien Cardinal Lacroix, Archbishop of Quebec.
Bishop McGrattan’s full statement follows:
“On 25 January 2024, it was reported in the news that Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix’s name has recently been added to a list of clergy and pastoral workers who have been accused of sexual abuse in a class action lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Quebec. He has issued a statement and he has communicated his decision to withdraw temporarily from activities in his Diocese.
Within the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has established a clear procedure that must be followed when an allegation is made against a Bishop, as outlined in Vos Estis Lux Mundi. The Bishops of Canada have set up a third-party reporting system for Sexual Abuse or Cover-up by a Catholic Bishop.
And the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2018 published Guidelines to help dioceses develop their own policies and protocols to prevent sexual abuse and to support victims-survivors.
Any allegation of sexual abuse or misconduct attributed to a member of the clergy, religious order, or pastoral agent should be looked upon as an urgent matter that requires serious attention, while at the same time praying for victims-survivors and all those concerned, as well as for a just process to unfold.”
Diocesan reaction to developments in collective action targeting the Diocese of Quebec
By Communications Department
-January 30, 2024
Quebec, January 30, 2024 – Officials of the Catholic Church of Quebec have become aware of the various developments in the collective action file targeting the Diocese. They are particularly disappointed that the Arsenault Dufresne Wee Avocats firm ended the amicable settlement conference that had been established.
Among the new allegations identified, one targets Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix. On January 26, Cardinal Lacroix announced that he was temporarily withdrawing from his activities and that he denied the allegations made against him. Today, he is broadcasting a video message to the attention of diocesans, of which here are some excerpts:
“I categorically deny the allegations made public. Never, to my knowledge, have I made any inappropriate actions towards anyone, whether minors or adults. My soul and my conscience are at peace in the face of these accusations which I refute. I undertake to respect the legal process of the current collective action.
Let me be clear, our Diocese remains resolutely committed to ensuring that victims of abuse receive financial reparation in addition to other means at their disposal to achieve healing. For me, for us, this is fundamental. We will continue to devote all our efforts to this. We recognize the suffering of the victims and it is with humility that we move forward in the process of collective action.
In this context, following recent events, in consultation with my close collaborators, I have decided to temporarily withdraw from activities in my Diocese. This is not a resignation, but a temporary withdrawal to allow us to better evaluate the next steps to take and consider the decisions to be made.
Let us hold together in our prayer all the people who have suffered sexual abuse in a Church context and still suffer the consequences of these traumas. I hear their anger, it inhabits me and pushes me to do everything to promote their path towards inner peace. Let us be determined to take care of each other, be vigilant and ensure that no situation of abuse occurs again.”
The authorities of the Diocese of Quebec welcome his declaration and his decision. Although the nature of what is being alleged remains unclear and the identity of the complainant is unknown, Diocese officials have begun the internal Church process provided for in the motu proprio Vos estis lux mundi . The step of reporting to the Holy Father has been completed and we will await the outcome of the current process.
End of the amicable settlement conference
The Arsenault Dufresne Wee Avocats firm put an end to the amicable settlement conference that had been set up in the class action file targeting the Diocese of Quebec.
Disappointed with the breakdown in negotiations, Diocese officials today want to ensure that they actively collaborate at all stages of the process and reiterate their desire to contribute to the healing of the victims. Mgr Marc Pelchat, auxiliary bishop in Quebec, responsible for this file, recalls: “We are putting our heart, our resources, our efforts, to achieve this end. We remind you that at any time during the process, an amicable settlement is possible. Our door is open, we are fully prepared to offer a settlement which would be based on precedents in such matters. »
Our engagement
The leaders and members of the Catholic Church of Quebec strongly condemn any conduct that violates human dignity. We reiterate our firm commitment to preventing actions that harm the moral, spiritual and physical integrity of our brothers and sisters. We remind you that we provide a telephone line and an email address to report any situation of abuse: 581-316-2010;
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