Witness Alleges Cardinal Ouellet Groped Her in 1992 at Defamation Trial
In a dramatic turn at the Montreal courthouse, an 84-year-old woman testified on Friday that retired Cardinal Marc Ouellet allegedly groped her buttocks in 1992. This testimony emerged during a defamation trial where Ouellet is suing another woman, Paméla Groleau, for $100,000 over sexual assault allegations.
Allegations from the Past Surface in Court
Marie-Louise Moreau, called as a witness by lawyer Alain Arsenault, described an incident at the Grand Séminaire de Montréal. She stated that Ouellet, then the rector, approached her while she was standing on a stairway to reach books for mass preparations. "I was doing that and suddenly, one day, Mr. Ouellet placed himself behind me. He placed both of his hands on either side of me and he rubbed his hands on my derrière," Moreau recounted, adding she felt "extremely stunned" and "shocked."
Moreau agreed to lift a publication ban on her identity, emphasizing she has carried this memory for 34 years. "I freed myself and I left to Sherbrooke St., where I was safe," she said, noting the alleged event occurred around her 50th birthday.
Defamation Case Background and Other Testimonies
This testimony follows Groleau's earlier claims that Ouellet sexually assaulted her in February 2010 after a priest's ordination in Quebec City. Groleau, a former pastoral agent, alleged Ouellet ran his hand down her back and pressed harder at the top of her buttocks. The defamation trial has drawn significant attention, with Ouellet's lawyer, Dominique Ménard, objecting to Moreau's testimony, prompting Quebec Superior Court Justice Marc Castonguay to reserve judgment.
During cross-examination, Moreau reiterated her distress, saying she felt "like a prisoner" during the alleged incident. "Between that and getting outside to Sherbrooke St. where I was safe, I don't know what happened," she stated, highlighting the emotional toll.
Legal Proceedings and Broader Implications
The trial underscores ongoing legal battles involving high-profile figures and sexual misconduct allegations. As the case unfolds, it raises questions about accountability and the long-term impact of such incidents on victims. The court's pending ruling on witness admissibility could influence the trial's outcome and set precedents for similar defamation cases in the future.
