In this statement, Cardinal Gérald Lacroix announces his return to his duties as Archbishop of Québec, after a Vatican investigation found no evidence to support allegations of sexual abuse.
Recently, a woman had accused him of abusing her in the 1980s. At the time, the cardinal was finishing seminary and she was 17 years old. Her complaint was civil and not canonical. And it was part of a class action suit brought by more than a hundred alleged victims against various clergymen in the diocese of Québec.
Cardinal Lacroix repeatedly reiterated his innocence, but decided to withdraw from public life until the investigation ended.
CARD. GÉRALD LACROIX
Archbishop of Quebec, Canada
I would like to reiterate that I categorically deny the allegations that have been made public. To my knowledge, I have never made any inappropriate gesture towards anyone, whether a minor or an adult. My soul and conscience are at peace with these accusations, which I refute. Although my heart and mind are at peace, I must also confess that I am deeply affected, like many of you, by the extent of the damage caused by these unfounded allegations. I am committed to respecting the judicial process of the ongoing class action.
Pope Francis ordered an investigation in addition to the civil one being led by a retired Canadian judge, who, although he did not have the cooperation of the alleged victim, concluded that the cardinal was innocent.
The woman refused to collaborate in this investigation because she says she does not trust the Vatican. What is left is the result of the non-ecclesiastical trial in the first degree.
JRB
TR: KG
