Cardinal Lacroix, a member of Pope Francis' Council of Cardinal Advisers, confirmed he will resume his public duties after a hiatus of some six months over allegations that he sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl.
The Vatican criticized a ruling by a court in Lorient condemning Cardinal Marc Ouellet, his apostolic visitors, and a Dominican community for their ‘disgraceful and vexatious’ dismissal of Sister Marie Ferréol.
The French court of Lorient condemned Cardinal Marc Ouellet, his accompanying two apostolic visitors, and a Dominican community of nuns for their ‘disgraceful and vexatious’ dismissal of Sister Marie Ferréol.
Cardinal Lacroix defended himself against sexual abuse allegations, stating: 'I categorically deny the allegations made public. To my knowledge, I have never made any inappropriate gesture towards anyone, whether a minor or an adult.'
The allegations against Lacroix are part of the same suit in which another Quebec cardinal, Marc Ouellet, was accused of sexual misconduct against an adult woman alleged to have taken place in 2008. None of the allegations have been proved in court.
Augustinian Bishop Robert Prevost has been criticized for allowing an abuser priest to live in an Augustinian house, one block away from a day care center and a grade school.