Que. Archbishop Asks Forgiveness for Church's Sins, CTV,

Que. Archbishop Asks Forgiveness for Church's Sins

CTV
April , 2003

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The archbishop of Quebec City is seeking forgiveness for the Catholic Church's handling of sex scandals and its treatment of minorities.

Marc Cardinal Ouellet issued a wide-ranging mea culpa Wednesday, admitting that "errors were committed" in the past by certain Catholics and other church officials.

Cardinal Marc Ouellet, archbishop of Quebec, speaks during a news conference in this May 19, 2005 file photo in Quebec City.
Photo by Jacques Boissinot / The Canadian Press

Ouellet's open letter was published in Quebec newspapers on Wednesday and addressed attitudes prior to 1960 that he said favoured "anti-Semitism, racism, indifference to First Nations and discrimination against women and homosexuals."

Ouellet also spoke about sexual abuse carried out by priests.

"Youngsters were subject to sexual aggression by priests," the letter reads.

"These scandals shook the confidence of the people towards religious authorities, and we understand them. Forgive us for all this pain!"

Rod Vienneau is a member of the commitee that represents the Duplessis Orphans.
Photo by Jacques Boissinot / The Canadian Press

Rod Vienneau, a member of the commitee that represents the Duplessis Orphans, told CTV News that Ouellet was "not sincrere" in his letter.

"They're still trying to hide the criminal acts," he claimed.

The Duplessis Orphans were children born to unwed mothers in 1940s and 1950s, during the time of then-premier Maurice Duplessis.

The children were taken in by the Roman Catholic Church and even though they were normal, they were deemed mentally deficient, so the church could get hefty government grants.

"It is time to take stock and make a fresh start," Ouellet wrote in the letter. "Mistakes have been made which have tarnished the image of the Church and for which I humbly ask forgiveness."

He said the church will seek repentance publicly during Lent.

Ouellet, once considered a possible successor to Pope John Paul, is considered to be among the highest ranking Roman Catholic officials in Canada.

In the past, Ouellet has spoken out on the issue of same-sex marriage, calling it a threat to religious freedom.

Historian John Zucchi, a professor at McGill University and close friend of Ouellet, said Quebec's Catholics are looking for guidance.

"I think the cardinal recognizes that both the Church -- and Quebec society, perhaps -- has hit rock bottom," he told CTV Newsnet.

"He has his own personal reason I'm sure, but my reading is that he sees Quebec society as having difficulties, that it's looking for ideals right now. There's a lack of hope around. And within the Church, I think he doesn't understand how the Church can ever start again if it doesn't begin with this very significant gesture of asking for forgiveness."