Vatican's Independent Investigation Clears Cardinal Lacroix who Now Resumes his Duties in the Diocese of Quebec


A member of Pope Francis' Council of Cardinals, Canadian Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, had been accused of abusing a 17-year-old girl almost 40 years ago. A Vatican independent investigation cleared Cardinal Lacroix who announced he is resuming his duties in the Diocese of Quebec (SEE https://www.catholicnewsworld.com/2024/05/vaticans-independent-investigation-of.html)
-July 22, 2024
Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix announced that he has resumed his duties as Archbishop of Quebec today, after a voluntary six-month withdrawal. Out of respect for the judicial process in which he is implicated, the Archbishop has entrusted Msgr. Marc Pelchat, auxiliary bishop in Quebec, with the management of the class action against the Diocese and the handling of the allegations of abuse.

A look back at the timeline of events

On January 25, 2024, Cardinal Lacroix's name appeared in the table presenting the cases of alleged abuse in the context of the class action against the Diocese of Quebec. Cardinal Lacroix categorically denies having committed the acts of which he is accused.

In February 2024, the Pope ordered a preliminary investigation, asking retired judge André Denis to clarify the facts as much as possible. Despite the inability to access the complainant's account, the investigator made his findings public on May 21, 2024, concluding that Cardinal Lacroix's case was beyond reproach: "the elements gathered during my investigation make it implausible that the facts attributed to the Cardinal occurred."

In the following weeks, a request to intervene in the class action was filed by certain individuals targeted by the allegations, including Cardinal Lacroix, stating their intention to be personally involved in the class action. The Court is expected to rule on this request in the coming months.

Furthermore, the Diocese is considering revising the methods of applying suspensions in the event of abuse.

Discernment of return

Today, Cardinal Lacroix says he is ready to resume his activities and public life in our Diocese. "It has been a difficult journey, but the conclusions of Judge Denis' investigation, the support of those around me and the possibility of making myself heard that could result from the request for intervention lead me to calmly resume my ministry. The community knows to what extent the Church of Quebec condemns reprehensible acts and knows the measures we have taken to prevent them."

True to tradition, the Archbishop of Quebec will preside over the solemn Mass for the feast of Saint Anne this Friday, July 26, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sainte-Anne-de Beaupré sanctuary.

Our engagement

The leaders and members of the Catholic Church of Quebec strongly condemn any conduct that violates human dignity. We reiterate our 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; assistance@ecdq.org . A web page brings together our protocols, our code of ethics and conduct and several resources: www.ecdq.org/proteger-les-personnes-minures-ou-vulnerables .Diocese of Quebec

Comments

Post a Comment