Ottawa: A preliminary investigation by church into sexual assault allegations against a top cardinal, Marc Ouellet, a potential successor to Pope Francis, leveled by a Canadian woman, has determined further investigation is not required.
A Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni issued a statement responding to reports this week that Pope Francis declares that there aren’t sufficient elements to open a canonical investigation for sexual assault by Cardinal Ouellet with regards to reson.
Ouellet was named in a Canadian abuse report.
Cardinal Marc Ouellet is among some 88 members of the clergy who are facing allegations of sexual assault.
An unnamed woman in her plea introduced Tuesday in Supreme Court accused the prominent cleric of kissing her at a cocktail reception in 2008 and later touching her buttocks.