A prominent Vatican cardinal, regarded as a potential successor to Pope Francis, is named as part of a class action lawsuit against the Quebec diocese.

Cardinal Marc Ouellet is accused by an unnamed woman of kissing and inappropriately touching her at a cocktail reception in 2008.

The allegations are part of a long list of claims made against clergy members that are included in two lawsuits that have been authorized by a judge.

In one, against the Archdiocese of Quebec, about 100 complainants have accused approximately 90 priests or other clergy of sexual assault, including Ouellet.

In the second, against the Brothers of the Christian Schools of Francophone Canada, nearly 200 complainants have alleged they were sexually assaulted by about 116 members of the organization.