The ornate Montreal courthouse became the stage for a dramatic confrontation as retired Cardinal Marc Ouellet, 81, took the stand. He initiated a lawsuit seeking $100,000 in damages for defamation, stemming from allegations made by Paméla Groleau, a former diocesan employee.
Groleau publicly accused Ouellet of sexual assault, claiming incidents occurred between 2008 and 2010 while she worked for the Quebec diocese. These allegations surfaced initially within a broader class-action lawsuit against diocesan organizations and were later repeated in media interviews, igniting a firestorm of controversy.
Ouellet, a prominent figure who served as prefect of the Vatican’s bishops’ office, retired in 2023. Notably, he was one of the few high-ranking officials Pope Francis continued to employ from the previous papacy, a testament to his influence within the Church.
In his first public comments on the accusations, Ouellet described Groleau’s claims as deeply damaging. He vehemently protested being unfairly grouped with those accused of sexually abusing children, a comparison he found profoundly unjust and hurtful to his reputation.
In a surprising turn, Ouellet declared he wasn’t motivated by personal gain. Any financial award from the lawsuit, he stated, would be entirely donated to Indigenous victims of sexual assault across Canada, framing the case as a pursuit of justice for others.
Beyond monetary compensation, Ouellet emphasized his desire to reclaim his tarnished reputation. He spoke of a need to “restore my honour and my integrity,” suggesting the allegations had inflicted a significant personal toll.
The afternoon session concluded with a tense exchange between Ouellet and Groleau’s lawyer, Alain Arsenault. The focus shifted to the number of times Ouellet had discussed the allegations – both Groleau’s and those of another woman – with the late Pope Francis.
The civil trial is set to continue Tuesday, with new testimony expected to shed further light on this complex and emotionally charged case. The courtroom awaits the next chapter in this unfolding drama.
