The Vatican announces that Quebec cardinal Marc Ouellet will no longer be prefect of the Congregation for Bishops or president of the pontifical commission for Latin America. Pope Francis has accepted his resignation “because of reaching the age limit,” the Holy See said Monday in a statement written in Latin.
Aged 78, Marc Ouellet had exceeded the normal retirement age for bishops by three years. Despite this, his mandate had been extended for three years in 2020.
His departure comes in a controversial context. Cardinal Ouellet was subject to allegations of sexual misconduct, which is the subject of two separate complaints. He has however was cleared by the Vatican after an internal investigation.
US Bishop Robert Francis Prevost has been chosen to succeed him, both as prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and as president of the pontifical commission for Latin America, the Vatican said on Monday.
Born in Chicago, the 67-year-old clergyman served as leader of the Augustinians from 2001 to 2013. He currently serves in Chiclayo, Peru. His inauguration is scheduled for April 12.
The Congregation (also called “Dicastery”) for bishops is a committee that advises the pope in the selection of bishops. It also investigates allegations of abuse or negligence against them.
Born in La Motte, in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Bishop Ouellet notably acted as Archbishop of Quebec from 2002 to 2010. He will remain cardinal despite his resignation from the Congregation for Bishops and from the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
More details will follow.