Woman says she felt like a ‘prisoner’ during alleged 1992 event with Quebec cardinal

Quebec Cardinal Marc Ouellet, right, walks with one of his lawyers during a break at the courthouse in Montreal on Thursday, March 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi)

A witness told a civil defamation trial today that she felt like a “prisoner” during a 1992 encounter with Quebec Cardinal Marc Ouellet. 

Marie-Louise Moreau said Ouellet came up behind her while she was preparing items for a mass at a church in Montreal, put his hands on either side of her, and allegedly rubbed his pelvis against her behind.

Moreau testified today in the civil trial of a woman being sued for defamation by Ouellet. The 84-year-old told the court she didn’t tell anyone about the encounter until 2023, when Paméla Groleau revealed her identity and came forward publicly with accusations of misconduct against the cardinal.

Ouellet has denied acting inappropriately and launched a $100,000 defamation suit against Groleau. He alleged that she damaged his reputation, honour and dignity.

Groleau’s allegations first surfaced in 2022 as part of a wider class-action lawsuit against the archdiocese of Quebec and dozens of its clergy or lay members.

Those allegations have not been tested in court.

Groleau previously told the court that Ouellet touched her without her consent on three occasions, including one when he allegedly he ran his hand down her back to the top of her buttocks in 2010.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2026.