Pope Francis on Tuesday stated he had accepted the resignation of a Canadian bishop who has been named in a class-action lawsuit towards the church that alleges sexual assault.
The pope didn’t give a purpose for changing Jean-Pierre Blais, the 75-year-old bishop of Baie-Comeau within the predominantly French-speaking province of Quebec, and the diocese stated the resignation was not linked to the allegations. He additionally named a alternative: Reverend Pierre Charland, 62, presently a number one member of Canada’s Roman Catholic Franciscan order.
In a press release, the pope famous that any bishop who turns 75 is routinely requested to supply his resignation. The pope decides on whether or not to simply accept the provide “after he has examined all of the circumstances,” the assertion stated.
Blais is talked about in an inventory of sexual predators filed as a part of a victims’ class motion towards the Archdiocese of Quebec. He has denied any wrongdoing.
“The nomination of a brand new bishop … will not be linked to the allegations towards Bishop Blais,” the Diocese of Baie-Comeau stated in an emailed assertion, noting the church’s coverage of requiring all those that hit 75 to supply their resignation.
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Blais wouldn’t be chatting with the media, it added.
—Reporting by David Ljunggren, enhancing by Caroline Stauffer, Hugh Lawson and David Gregorio
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