Wednesday, February 19, 2025 - Pope Francis on Tuesday announced that he had accepted the resignation of a Canadian bishop who has been named in a class-action lawsuit against the Church alleging sexual assault.
The pope did not provide a reason for replacing Jean-Pierre Blais, the
75-year-old bishop of Baie-Comeau in the predominantly French-speaking province
of Quebec, and the diocese stated that the resignation was not linked to the
allegations.
He also appointed Reverend Pierre Charland, 62, currently a senior
member of Canada’s Roman Catholic Franciscan order, as Blais’ replacement.
In a statement, the pope noted that any bishop who turns 75 is required
to submit their resignation.
According to the statement, the pope decides whether to accept the
resignation after reviewing all relevant circumstances.
Blais is named in a list of alleged sexual predators filed as part of a
victims’ class action against the Archdiocese of Quebec, but he has denied any
wrongdoing.
“The nomination of a new bishop is not linked to the allegations against
Bishop Blais,” the Diocese of Baie-Comeau said in an emailed statement,
reaffirming the Church’s policy that all bishops must submit their resignation
upon turning 75.
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