The Vatican has condemned the French court ruling against the Dominican community of the Holy Spirit and Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet for the dismissal of sister Marie Ferréol. The Vatican called it a serious violation of freedom of religion. The court in Lorient ordered the religious community to pay compensation to the former sister, and the Vatican claims it was not informed of the judgment beforehand. The Vatican believes the ruling infringes on the fundamental rights of Catholic faithful.
The tribunal’s decision to award financial compensation to sister Marie Ferréol was met with criticism from the Vatican. The court found the dismissal of the sister to be unjustified and held the religious community and Cardinal Ouellet responsible for damages. The Vatican claims that the court’s decision interfered with the internal discipline and religious affiliation of the community. They also state that Cardinal Ouellet was never summoned to appear in court. The Vatican has raised concerns about this case with the French embassy to the Holy See.
Sister Marie Ferréol was expelled from her religious community in Berné in 2020, after more than three decades of service. The Vatican acknowledges that Cardinal Ouellet conducted an apostolic visit to the community and took canonical measures leading to the sister’s dismissal. Despite the Vatican’s involvement, the court found the expulsion to be unjustified and ordered financial compensation. The sister has been living on social welfare since her dismissal.
During the trial, the court was unable to access the Vatican’s legal documents related to the case. The legal representatives of the Vatican’s envoys argued that there was no access to canon law files. The sister had previously raised concerns about misconduct within the community, leading to her expulsion. The court found no evidence that her expulsion was carried out in accordance with the community’s statutes. Cardinal Ouellet, who held a high-ranking position in the Vatican, resigned in January due to age limits and faced separate allegations of sexual assault in Quebec.
The case involving the Dominican community of the Holy Spirit and Cardinal Ouellet has sparked controversy and legal disputes. The Vatican’s condemnation of the French court’s decision reflects their commitment to protecting religious freedom and internal discipline within Catholic communities. The expulsion of sister Marie Ferréol and the subsequent legal actions highlight the challenges faced by religious institutions in maintaining internal harmony and addressing internal conflicts. The case continues to raise questions about the role of external legal systems in adjudicating internal religious matters.
