The Archbishop of Quebec and head of the Canadian Church, Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, has decided to withdraw “temporarily from his activities” until his “situation is clarified.” After being accused of assaulting a 17-year-old teenager, in incidents that occurred nearly four decades ago, Ben 1987 and 1988, the year in which the current 66-year-old cardinal took office. He was ordained a priest. The complaint is part of a class action lawsuit against one hundred priests or employees of the diocese, including his name. Gérald-Cyprien Lacroix became archbishop of Quebec in February 2011. Pope Francis made him a cardinal three years later, in 2014, and since last year he has been part of the council of cardinals advising Peter's successor on church reform.
Through a statement, the priest “categorically” denies the facts he describes “Unfounded accusations”. “Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix has just announced to his key collaborators that he is temporarily withdrawing from his activities until the situation is clarified,” the diocese said in a statement. The memo also explains that “the diocesan team understands this decision, which it welcomes with sadness: everything its collaborators will do to take on the tasks linked to the diocesan mission.”
Regarding the judicial process, the Orthodox Archdiocese confirms this “They will continue to advance this process, with respect for the truth and with the goal of providing reparations for survivors of sexual assault.” This class action lawsuit began in 2022, and includes testimony from 147 people who claim they were “sexually assaulted,” according to the victims’ attorneys. The period covered by these complaints ranges from 1942 to 2018.
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