Cardinal Marc Ouellet won a defamation lawsuit against a woman who had accused him of sexual assault four years ago. The Quebec Superior Court ruled in favor of the Canadian cardinal, finding the allegations to be defamatory.
The woman had filed a complaint against the cardinal in 2020, but the court ruled in his favor in the defamation case. Marc Ouellet, who is Canadian and formerly president of the Congregation for Bishops at the Vatican, will receive 100,000 dollars in compensation.
This case comes at a time when the Catholic Church faces numerous sexual abuse accusations. Cardinal Ouellet was an important figure in the Church hierarchy, having led the department responsible for appointing bishops worldwide.
The court decision represents a significant victory for Marc Ouellet, who has always denied the accusations. The compensation amount reflects the seriousness with which the court considered the defamation committed against the Canadian prelate.
