Cardinal Marc Ouellet speaks out after defamation suit win

Quebec Cardinal Marc Ouellet announced plans to donate $100,000 from a recent civil defamation suit he won against Paméla Groleau, according to Superior Court Justice Martin Castonguay's ruling. Groleau had accused Ouellet of sexual misconduct during a class-action lawsuit, but the judge found her allegations to be "unfounded" and ordered her to pay the cardinal the damages.

Ouellet, currently residing in Rome, expressed gratitude for the civil justice system and his legal team, as well as to those who testified in his defense. He reiterated his intention to use the $100,000 settlement to support organizations combating sexual abuse against Indigenous Peoples in Canada, emphasizing his commitment to fighting all forms of abuse, particularly sexual abuse.

The judge's 52-page ruling criticized Groleau's testimony, deeming it "neither credible nor reliable" and highlighting the inconsistencies in her account and the alleged incidents occurring during public events.