The Vatican has expressed its strong disapproval of a recent French court ruling against Quebec Cardinal Marc Ouellet.
The ruling, which was issued by the Court of Appeal in Lyon, found Cardinal Ouellet guilty of failing to report allegations of sexual abuse by a priest in the 1980s. The court sentenced him to eight months in prison, with five months suspended.
In a statement released by the Vatican, spokesperson Matteo Bruni stated that the Holy See “firmly protests” the court’s decision and considers it “unjust and incomprehensible.”
The statement also emphasized that the Vatican has always taken a strong stance against sexual abuse and has implemented measures to prevent and address such cases. It also highlighted Cardinal Ouellet’s cooperation with the authorities and his commitment to addressing the issue of abuse within the Church.
Cardinal Ouellet, who currently serves as the Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops in the Vatican, has maintained his innocence and plans to appeal the ruling.
The case against him dates back to 2019 when a French court opened an investigation into allegations that he failed to report abuse by a priest while serving as the Archbishop of Quebec City in the 1980s. The priest in question, Father Paul-Andre Harvey, was convicted in 2012 of sexually abusing minors.
The Vatican’s protest against the ruling is seen as a strong show of support for Cardinal Ouellet and a rejection of the court’s decision. It also raises questions about the jurisdiction of secular courts over members of the clergy.
The Vatican’s statement concluded by expressing its solidarity with Cardinal Ouellet and its hope for a fair and just resolution to the case.
