Cardinal Ouellet Wins Defamation Lawsuit - Finding he was Falsely Accused of Assault and Court Orders $100,000 in Damages

 The Superior Court of Quebec, Canada, has ruled in favor of Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet in his defamation lawsuit against Paméla Groleau, finding that she falsely accused him of sexual assault. Justice Martin Castonguay determined that the allegations were completely unfounded, ordered Groleau to pay $100,000 in damages for violating the Cardinal's right to honor, and noted the accusations were made with "extreme recklessness equivalent to malice." Cardinal Ouellet announced he will donate the entire payout to Canadian organizations fighting the sexual abuse of Indigenous peoples.

Key Context and Background

• Origin of Allegations: The claim originated in August 2022 during a broader class-action lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Quebec. Groleau, a former lay pastoral assistant, accused the Cardinal of non-consensual physical contact between 2008 and 2010.

• Vatican Investigation: Following a preliminary inquiry in 2022 by Father Jacques Servais, Pope Francis declined to open a canonical investigation due to a total lack of supporting evidence.

• Court Findings: The trial revealed critical inconsistencies in Groleau's account, questioning her overall credibility. The ruling noted the unfairness of associating Cardinal Ouellet with the severe historical abuse cases central to the broader class action.

In a statement following the ruling, Cardinal Ouellet expressed gratitude that the civil justice system cleared his name. Reaffirming his commitment to supporting genuine victims, the Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery for Bishops pledged to continue working toward restorative justice and combating all forms of abuse within the Church and broader society.

Source - https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2026-09/cardinal-ouellet-wins-alleged-abuse-case-canada.html