On June 17, 2026, Lambert Lawyers and Bellemare Lawyers filed an application for authorization to institute a class action against the Jesuits of Canada, also acting under the name of the Missionaries of Notre-Dame, S.J. This request seeks compensation, including compensatory and punitive damages, for all victims who were sexually assaulted by religious members, employees or volunteers under the responsibility of this religious community.
Our client’s story
In 1950, at the age of seven (7) years and with an interest in the priestly profession, our client began to act every morning as a Mass server at the Jesuit Chapel in Quebec City. The client acts in the service of various priests. However, Father Eugène Lacerte expresses a special interest in our client. The latter invites himself into the young boy’s room under the pretext of “teaching him hygiene ».
This is when the sexual assaults begin. Father Lacerte unbuttons his cassock and exposes his penis, before giving our client a, and asking him to return the favor. At the end of their meeting, the cleric offered our client, who came from a disadvantaged family, a vest in exchange for his silence.
This abuse occurs three (3) or four (4) times during the year, in addition to multiple occasions when Father Lacerte makes inappropriate touches.
The consequences of these premeditated and calculated acts were devastating for our client: dropping out of school, anxiety, stress and mistrust, nightmares, and lasting feelings of guilt, anger and humiliation. Had he been protected by the defendants, he would not have had his life shattered by authority figures in whom he should have had absolute trust.
The proposed class
All persons, as well as their heirs and assigns, who have been sexually assaulted by a member, priest, brother, religious, employee, mandatary, volunteer or representative under the authority or responsibility of the Jesuits of Canada, the Society of Jesus, the Missionaries of Notre-Dame, S.J., the Jesuits of Quebec, the Jesuit Fathers of Quebec, or any other work, residence, college, school, parish, camp, spiritual center, nursing home, institution, or entity under their authority, direction, supervision, or responsibility.
Applications lodged with the Court
Application for authorization to institute a class action.
Current status of the file
Awaiting authorization by a judge of the Superior Court.
How to be part of the class action
If you meet the definition of the class covered by this class action, you are automatically part of the class action. However, we encourage you to register on our form to stay informed.
Form to fill out
We want to hear from you. To properly represent the members of this class action, we would like to document your experience. Please fill out this form in complete confidentiality.