The Archbishop of Québec Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix has temporarily stepped back from his post after his name was added to a class action sexual abuse lawsuit.
Cardinal Lacorix, who is primate of Canada and a member of the Pope’s C9 advisory group, has “categorically denied” allegations “without foundation” which say he inappropriately touched a 17-year-old girl in 1987 and 1988.
The 2022 lawsuit names 147 abuse victims of over 100 priests and staff of the Archdiocese of Québec since 1940. It is the same action that has previously named fellow Cardinal Marc Ouellet – Lacroix’s predecessor in Québec and later prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops – for abuses he has also denied. Ouellet has sued his accuser for defamation.
After his name was added to the lawsuit on 25 January, Lacroix, 66, suspended his official duties “until the situation is cleared up”, a statement from the archdiocese said.
“The diocesan team understands this decision, which it welcomes with sadness,” it added. He will make a public statement soon, it added, but would not give interviews.
“Diocesan authorities will continue to move forward in the class action lawsuit process, with respect for the truth and with the aim of offering reparation to survivors of sexual abuse,” it said.
Lacroix worked for most of the 1990s as a missionary in Colombia. Appointed Archbishop of Québec in 2011, and made a cardinal in 2014, Lacroix is described locally as “a good pastor” and “very human”.
Pope Francis named him to his C9 “kitchen cabinet” last year and both he and Cardinal Ouellet have been thought papabile at various times.
The alleged abuse occurred in a side room during Biblical studies sessions Lacroix led shortly before his ordination in 1988. The unnamed accuser said she had waited until her devout mother had died before reporting the case to authorities.
Canadian law allows multiple plaintiffs and defendants in class action suits, to which names can be added after filing. The archdiocesan seminary, a priests’ association, a Catholic secondary school and an insurance company for religious organisations were added to the lawsuit along with Cardinal Lacroix.
This being a civil case, Lacroix has not been questioned by police. None of the accusations brought by the plaintiffs has been tested in court.
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