To Acknowledge, to Heal, and to Rebuild

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ of the Archdiocese of Montreal,

I address you today deeply aware of the weight of suffering borne by those who have been victims of sexual abuse. Yet I also speak with hope and trust, given that an important milestone was reached this past June. The Superior Court of Quebec issued a closing judgment marking the end of the class action proceedings brought against the Archdiocese of Montreal. The process has now concluded with an out-of-court settlement.

To the Victims and Survivors of Abuse

With a heavy heart, I acknowledge that 108 victims have received compensation for acts that should never have occurred. To each one of you, I wish once again to offer, personally and on behalf of the Church of Montreal, my most sincere and humble apologies. Please know that I am deeply conscious that no words and no form of reparation can ever erase the pain you have endured.

I pray that you may now find greater serenity along your difficult path of healing, and that the Lord may bring peace to your hearts. As the Psalm reminds us:
 

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” ― Psalm 34:18–19

To Acknowledge, to Heal, and to Rebuild the Future

Pope Francis expressed this with great clarity:

“Looking back to the past, no effort to seek forgiveness and to repair the harm done will ever be sufficient. Looking to the future, nothing must be neglected to promote a culture capable not only of preventing such situations from recurring but also of ensuring that they are never covered up or perpetuated.” ― Letter to the People of God, August 20, 2018

The Gospel calls us to walk humbly, to recognize our faults, to listen to those who have been hurt, and to foster a culture of truth, justice, and safety. In that same spirit, we will continue our efforts to ensure that every ecclesial environment—and particularly the Archdiocese of Montreal—remains a place of respect, safety, and life.

Let us look to the future with generosity and hope, for through each of our actions we can help restore trust, rebuild bridges, and allow the light of the Gospel to shine ever more brightly at the heart of our Church and our world.

Concrete Commitments for a Safe and Transparent Environment

I wish to thank all those whose courage and truth have helped us move forward toward the light. May this process be a sign of our ongoing commitment to serve better, to listen, and to protect.

The Archdiocese of Montreal remains firmly committed to preventing and addressing all forms of abuse. We continue to implement concrete measures to ensure that our Church is a safe environment—one where transparency and justice always prevail over silence and fear.

To strengthen this vital work, a Diocesan Office of Ethics was established at the beginning of September. This office collaborates closely with the independent Ombudsman, who remains a point of access for those wishing to speak, with the Advisory Committee composed of independent experts who provide recommendations, with the Canonical Disciplinary Committee responsible for taking appropriate measures, and with the Responsible Pastoral Ministry team that ensures ongoing education and vigilance.

Walking Together in the Footsteps of Christ

Dear brothers and sisters, your faith in Jesus Christ draws you into the life of your parish and diocese—into prayer and the sacraments, community life and solidarity, the proclamation of God’s Word and catechesis, the service of those in need, and the witness of God’s love and mercy. No one has given greater dignity to the little ones than Jesus Himself. The Church of Jesus Christ, following the example of the Lord, is called to love and serve in a way that honours the dignity of every person, especially the most vulnerable (cf. Matthew 18:6).

With your prayers and collaboration, I remain committed to ensuring that our Church continues to be a place of listening, healing, and living hope—a community where every wounded person may feel welcomed, respected, and supported.

I commend to the mercy of the Lord all victims of abuse, their families, and all the faithful who have carried the weight of this trial. May the grace and peace of Christ bring comfort to hearts, renew our hope, and make us steadfast witnesses of His love (cf. Revelation 1:5).

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Compassion, intercede for us.

In Jesus Christ,

✠ Christian Lépine
Archbishop of Montreal

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