Two Quebec bishops named in abuse lawsuit

Two Quebec bishops, one deceased and one living, have been named in a sexual abuse class action against the Archdiocese of Quebec.

Bishops Clement Fecteau (1933-2017) and Jean-Pierre Blais, who is Bishop of Baie-Comeau, are among the accused whose names were released by the law firm Arsenault Dufresne Wee Avocats.

Fecteau is accused of abusing a 13-year-old victim in 1987 at the Séminaire de Quebec. He was appointed auxiliary bishop for the Quebec archdiocese in 1989 and would in 1996 be appointed Bishop of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatiere.

Blais is accused of abusing a 12-year-old between 1973 and 1975.

The accusations are civil in nature and not known to involve any criminal charges or investigations. They have not been proven in court.

When abuse allegations are made against a bishop, it is up to an archbishop to notify Vatican authorities as soon as allegations are made known. The Quebec news service Presence left a message with Rimouski Archbishop Denis Grondin to find out what steps have been taken but had not received a reply.

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