Investigation finds no misconduct by Canadian Cardinal Lacroix

By Vatican News

The Holy See Press Office issued a statement on 21 May regarding the conclusions of the preliminary canonical investigation regarding an anonymous accusation against Cardinal Gérald C. Lacroix, Archbishop of Québec.

The conclusion of the report has confirmed that no actions that amount to misconduct or abuse on the part of the Cardinal have been identified, and therefore, "no further canonical procedure is foreseen."

On 8 February 2024, Pope Francis entrusted André Denis, a retired judge of the Superior Court of Québec, the mandate to shed light on an accusation made in the context of a class action lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Québec.

The preliminary canonical investigation carried out by Judge Denis concluded on 6 May 2024, and his report was given to Pope Francis in the following days.

The Holy See Press statement notes that, "in the light of the facts examined by the judge, the report does not permit to identify any actions that amount to misconduct or abuse on the part of Cardinal Gérald C. Lacroix. Consequently, no further canonical procedure is foreseen."

Pope Francis has given Judge André Denis permission to issue a statement summarizing the details of his investigation and to answer any questions that may arise on the matter.

The Pope expressed his profound gratitude to Judge Denis for having concluded within the set time the mandate entrusted to him "carried out with impartiality in the context of the class action lawsuit brought against the Archdiocese of Quebec."