April 19, 2024

Taylor Daily Press

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Cardinal (78) accused of sexual assault steps down “because of his old age” |  Abroad

Cardinal (78) accused of sexual assault steps down “because of his old age” | Abroad

Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet, who held one of the most important posts in the Vatican and was previously accused of sexual misconduct, resigned on Monday due to his “advanced age.” This was announced by the Vatican in a press release. Pope Francis accepted the resignation.

Oleh’s successor, American Robert Franks Prevost, will take over on April 12.
In August 2022, the 78-year-old cardinal, who serves as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, was accused of inappropriately touching an apprentice between 2008 and 2010 when he was Archbishop of Quebec. These facts emerged from court documents from the Supreme Court of the French-speaking Province of Canada.

Monsignor Ouellet has always vehemently denied the allegations, but has said he is willing to cooperate with an investigation to prove his innocence. According to Pope Francis, there were insufficient elements to open a legal investigation of the facts.

In December, it became known that the cardinal himself was going to file a complaint against the woman for libel, because she had falsely accused him of sexual abuse. Another woman filed a second complaint against the cardinal in 2020, the Archdiocese of Quebec said, a complaint that was published just two weeks ago in Golias weekly.

Marc Ouellet was chosen as one of the favorites at the last meeting in 2013 that elected Jorge Bergoglio as pope.