Vatican's Independent Investigation of Canadian Cardinal Lacroix Concludes with No Misconduct or Abuse Found
In a communique released on May 21st, the Holy See announced that André Denis’ investigation ended on May 6th and had been “consigned to the Holy Father in the following days.”
“In the light of the facts examined by the judge, the report does not permit to identify any actions that amount to misconduct or abuse on the part of Cardinal Gérald C. Lacroix,” the statement said. “Consequently, no further canonical procedure is foreseen.”The diocese of Quebec, Canada, announced in March that Pope Francis had appointed an independent retired judge, named André Denis, to investigate its accused Cardinal Gerald Lacroix. Bishop William T. McGrattan, Bishop of the Diocese of Calgary and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, said of the accusation, “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.
See Also: https://www.catholicnewsworld.com/2024/01/cardinal-lacroix-denies-allegations-and.html
Holy See Press Office Communiqué, 21.05.2024
Concerning the conclusions of the preliminary canonical investigation regarding an anonymous accusation against Cardinal Gérald C. Lacroix, Archbishop of Québec
On 8 February 2024, the Holy Father entrusted to André Denis, retired Judge of the Superior Court of Québec, the mandate to shed light on an accusation made in the context of a class action lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Québec.
The report of the preliminary canonical investigation carried out by the judge was concluded on 6 May 2024, and consigned to the Holy Father in the following days.
In the light of the facts examined by the judge, the report does not permit to identify any actions that amount to misconduct or abuse on the part of Cardinal Gérald C. Lacroix. Consequently, no further canonical procedure is foreseen.
The Holy Father has authorized Judge André Denis to issue a statement summarizing the elements of his investigation, and has also authorized him to answer any questions that may arise on the matter.
The Holy Father extends his profound thanks to Judge André Denis for having completed, within the prescribed time, the mandate entrusted to him and which he carried out with impartiality in the context of the class action lawsuit brought against the Archdiocese of Quebec.
Vatican City, 21 May 2024
Holy See Press Office Communiqué, 21.05.2024
Concerning the conclusions of the preliminary canonical investigation regarding an anonymous accusation against Cardinal Gérald C. Lacroix, Archbishop of Québec
On 8 February 2024, the Holy Father entrusted to André Denis, retired Judge of the Superior Court of Québec, the mandate to shed light on an accusation made in the context of a class action lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Québec.
The report of the preliminary canonical investigation carried out by the judge was concluded on 6 May 2024, and consigned to the Holy Father in the following days.
In the light of the facts examined by the judge, the report does not permit to identify any actions that amount to misconduct or abuse on the part of Cardinal Gérald C. Lacroix. Consequently, no further canonical procedure is foreseen.
The Holy Father has authorized Judge André Denis to issue a statement summarizing the elements of his investigation, and has also authorized him to answer any questions that may arise on the matter.
The Holy Father extends his profound thanks to Judge André Denis for having completed, within the prescribed time, the mandate entrusted to him and which he carried out with impartiality in the context of the class action lawsuit brought against the Archdiocese of Quebec.
Vatican City, 21 May 2024
SOURCE: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2024/05/21/240521c.html
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