The Archdiocese of Montreal released today the fifth quarterly report compiled by Ombudsman Me. Marie Christine Kirouack, Ad. E. The report is an analysis of new complaints received between August 1 and October 1, 2022, as well as cumulatively over the period from May 5 to October 1, 2022.

The following is an excerpt from the summary of the Ombudsman’s Report:

“With regards to complaints, it analyzes the new complaints received since August 1, 2022, namely:

• 7 complaints of abuse which were sent to the Advisory Committee;
• 12 Ombudsman complaints, three of which were sent to the Advisory Committee and nine to Mgr Lépine directly;
• 20 complaints referred to the Vicars General;
• 8 to the Director of the OPP.

Then, cumulatively, it analyzes the content of all the complaints received since the Ombudsman took office on May 5, 2021, namely a total of 188 complaints, which break down as follows:

• 64 complaints of abuse that were submitted to the Advisory Committee for recommendations to Archbishop Christian Lépine, 41 of which concern sexual abuse;
• 59 complaints to the Vicars General which do not target members of the clergy, but are rather in connection with the holding of cemeteries, funerals, the requirement of a vaccination passport, genealogical research, requests for apostasy or relations of work, and;
• 35 complaints to the Director of the OPP mainly concerning problems between employees and members of the clergy or between the Church Council and a member of the clergy were sent to the Office of Pastoral Personnel (OPP).

In addition, following the filing in the spring of the external audit of the Honourable André Denis, a retired judge, the Ombudsman was given the mandate to deal with any previous complaint or abuse file that had not been satisfactorily dealt with in the past. As part of the implementation of this mandate, the Advisory Committee received 14 complaints, known as "Ombudsman complaints", all of which concern sexual abuse, and Archbishop Lépine, for his part, received 16.”

Acknowledgment of the contribution of the Honourable Pepita G. Capriolo

In addition, Archbishop of Montreal Christian Lépine wishes to express his sincere thanks to retired judge the Honourable Pepita G. Capriolo, who has announced her resignation as co-president of the committee to oversee the implementation of the report’s 31 recommendations which were made public in November 2020.

“The Honourable Pepita G. Capriolo’s contribution has been invaluable, first in preparing that comprehensive Report, and afterwards in implementing the recommendations contained in it. Important steps have already been taken in developing awareness and providing a program of formation and mobilization for staff and volunteers working in the Catholic Church of Montreal, in order to eliminate any and all abusive situations,” stated Archbishop Lépine. “We continue to pursue these efforts with determination.”

The full Report is available to the public on the website of the Catholic Church of Montreal.

To request an interview, please communicate with the Ombudsman:

by telephone: (514) 752-4683

by email: plainte@ombudsman-ecm.com

on the website: www.ombudsman-ecm.com