hand and heart

The recent post office troubles have impacted our regular fundraising efforts. Please consider supporting the Register and Catholic journalism by using one of the methods below:

  • Donate online
  • Donate by e-transfer to accounting@catholicregister.org
  • Donate by telephone: 416-934-3410 ext. 406 or toll-free 1-855-441-4077 ext. 406
Archbishop Luigi Ventura served as Apostolic Nuncio to Canada for eight years, from 2001 to 2009. Photo screenshot from Salt and Light/Youtube

Vatican embassy confirms sexual misconduct complaint against Canada's former nuncio

By 
  • February 27, 2019
QUEBEC – The apostolic nunciature in Ottawa, Ontario, confirmed Feb. 26 that it received a first complaint of sexual misconduct concerning Archbishop Luigi Ventura, the Vatican's ambassador to Canada from 2001 to 2009.


Archbishop Ventura, now 74, is under investigation for similar allegations in France, where he has served as nuncio since 2009.

The alleged incident took place July 26, 2008, at the shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre. Archbishop Ventura was there for the feast of Ste. Anne, as the shrine was celebrating its 350th anniversary.

Christian Vachon, then 32, was part of the youth pastoral team. He told Presence info that, on that day, he was asked to help by providing service at the tables during a banquet. He alleged that Archbishop Ventura touched his buttocks at least twice while he was serving him. He said he thought it was done inadvertently the first time, but that that there was no doubt after the second time.

He said the nuncio tried to engage in conversation with him, but he did not want to speak.

"During the meal, I was on edge. I was shocked. I was shocked by what he did. This is the complete opposite of the dignity that comes with its function. I was scandalized," he told Presence info, a French-language Canadian news service.

Vachon said he felt "depressed" during the afternoon.

He kept the story to himself, telling only his wife years later, until he saw a general question about sex abuse by priests on a forum last autumn. He shared his story anonymously in December, taking care not to mention Archbishop Ventura.

After Vachon learned that Archbishop Ventura was targeted by an investigation in France, he updated his testimony to reveal that he was speaking about him. Vachon said the #metoo movement and the allegations made public in France made him realize he should not "keep this information" to himself anymore.

He lodged a complaint with the nunciature in Ottawa Feb. 22, 2019, explaining he did not do it sooner because, for him, "it was the equivalent of complaining directly to (his) aggressor."

"I didn't go to the police, either, because it's a case of 'my word against his' typical of sex abuse crimes," he added.

Vachon told Presence info that Archbishop Luigi Bonazzi, the current nuncio, called him the same day he received the complaint to discuss it with him.

Archbishop Bonazzi confirmed that these allegations are for the moment the "only" complaint received by the nunciature about Archbishop Ventura. He also said that it has "been brought to the attention of the Holy See."

The French media revealed Feb. 15 that, since Jan. 24, the Paris-based nuncio has been under a preliminary investigation for sexual misconduct.

The Holy See's Press Office said in a statement they learned about the allegations in the media, and that they're "waiting for the results of the investigation" in France.

Please support The Catholic Register

Unlike many media companies, The Catholic Register has never charged readers for access to the news and information on our website. We want to keep our award-winning journalism as widely available as possible. But we need your help.

For more than 125 years, The Register has been a trusted source of faith-based journalism. By making even a small donation you help ensure our future as an important voice in the Catholic Church. If you support the mission of Catholic journalism, please donate today. Thank you.

DONATE