The courtroom was filled with a quiet tension as witnesses began to describe a scene of joyous celebration – a Catholic ordination presided over by Cardinal Marc Ouellet in 2010. Jérôme Frenette, a long-time diocesan employee, recalled the event at Notre-Dame-de-Québec Cathedral-Basilica as unusually well-attended, with hundreds eager to offer congratulations.
Frenette, responsible for coordinating the ceremony, emphasized the celebratory atmosphere. He described a throng of people seeking blessings and wanting to physically greet both the newly ordained priest and Cardinal Ouellet, often touching them in a gesture of reverence and goodwill. He was present from the beginning to the end of the event, observing the interactions closely.
The testimony unfolded as part of a defamation lawsuit brought by Cardinal Ouellet against Paméla Groleau, who alleges he sexually assaulted her. She claims incidents of inappropriate touching occurred in 2008 and 2010, including during the very ordination Frenette described – an event where both individuals were present.
Frenette painted a picture of Ouellet as a reserved and thoughtful man, someone who didn’t actively seek physical contact. He characterized the Cardinal as “distant” and even “cold” in a professional context, a stark contrast to the allegations leveled against him. The news of the accusations, he stated, left him utterly stunned.
Another witness, Amélie Martineau-Lavallée, a communications professional for the Catholic Church, echoed the sentiment of disbelief. Having known Ouellet for years, including during her studies in Rome when he frequently visited the Vatican, she described him as an exceptional mentor and a deeply approachable figure.
Martineau-Lavallée spoke of a “fraternal relationship” with the Cardinal, recalling his attentive listening skills and thoughtful guidance. She emphasized his willingness to hear her concerns and offer advice, painting a portrait of a man dedicated to his faith and supportive of those around him. She had never heard a whisper of impropriety.
The witnesses’ accounts focused on Ouellet’s character and the atmosphere surrounding the alleged incidents, building a narrative that challenges the claims made by Groleau. The courtroom now awaits her testimony, scheduled for the following day, a pivotal moment in a case that seeks to restore a reputation and uncover the truth.
