A senior leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Quebec is speaking out after allegations of sexual assault that emerged as part of a class-action lawsuit. Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix, Archbishop of Quebec, leaves after delivering a speech during a Mass of Thanksgiving for the canonization of two Canadian saints, St. Francis de Laval and St. Mary of the Incarnation, celebrated by Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Andrew Medichini
QUEBEC – A senior leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Quebec is speaking out after allegations of sexual assault emerged against him as part of a class-action lawsuit.
Cardinal Gérald Lacroix published a video message today denying the allegations of sexual touching, which he described as unfounded.
Lacroix, the archbishop of Quebec City, says that to his knowledge he never behaved inappropriately toward anyone, whether an adult or a minor.
Lacroix’s name was among 15 added Thursday to a list of alleged perpetrators filed as part of a lawsuit alleging sexual assault by clergy members and lay staff under the supervision of the Quebec City archdiocese.
Lacroix says in the video that the law firm that filed the lawsuit ended negotiations that could have led to an amicable settlement with the diocese, and as a result it could take longer for sexual assault victims to receive compensation.
The class action was authorized by the Quebec Superior Court in 2022 and covers anyone who was sexually assaulted by clergy or lay personnel in the diocese, dating back to 1940.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 30, 2024.
