The Vatican stated in a statement on Thursday. Pope Francis has concluded there is insufficient evidence to begin a Church inquiry against Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet over claims of sexual abuse.
Ouellet, a key Vatican official, was named earlier this week in a class action. complaint filed against the Quebec Catholic diocese. alleging sexual assaults by 88 priests. and staff members dating back to 1940.
An unnamed complainant claimed in the Quebec Superior Court petition. that Ouellet sexually touched her and made statements that made her feel uncomfortable between 2008 and 2010. while Ouellet was archbishop of Quebec and was working as an intern in her twenties.
According to the Vatican, Servais later counseled against conducting a thorough church inquiry.
“Following further relevant consultations, Pope Francis declared that there were not sufficient elements to open a canonical investigation for sexual assault by Cardinal Ouellet, a” said Vatican spokesman Matteo Brunis in a statement.
Ouellet has not responded publicly to the charges
He joined the Pope on a six-day visit to Canada last month, during which he apologized to indigenous people for abuse in Roman Catholic Church-run government schools.
ces no criminal charges in connection with the claims.
The suit contains the names of priests who have worked in the diocese as well as educational institutes such as the Quebec seminary. The majority of persons mentioned are no longer alive.
According to the Vatican, Servais read the woman’s charges against Ouellet and interrogated her through Zoom.
“This person did not make any accusation that would provide the basis for … an investigation.”
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