RSS FeedsWhat is your opinion on the U.S. federal lawsuit from Milwaukee against the Pope and the Vatican?
AP article if you’re interested:
"A federal lawsuit alleges that Pope Benedict XVI and senior Vatican officials covered up allegations of child sexual abuse against a Wisconsin priest who is accused of molesting at least 200 deaf children from 1950 to 1975.
The lawsuit filed Thursday in Milwaukee by St. Paul, Minn., attorney Jeff Anderson says the unidentified plaintiff was a student at a suburban Milwaukee school for the deaf and an alleged victim of abuse by the Rev. Lawrence Murphy.
The lawsuit says the accuser, who is from Illinois, sent two letters to the Vatican in 1995 reporting the abuse and asking for help but he received no response.
The lawsuit seeks the release of confidential Vatican files detailing clergy abuse allegations and unspecified monetary damages."
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h_l0HtfJc-Jw9Q-CWAxTBrUGLaYwD9F86T2O0
The Vatican has responded calling it a publicity stunt.
Do you think it’s justifiable or wrong? Should American citizens have a right to file a lawsuit against the Pope and Vatican?
"The Vatican has responded calling it a publicity stunt."
The Vatican would, since they have no shame and no soul (metaphorically speaking). I think it’s ABOUT FUCKING TIME. Why would it be wrong…? No, you know what’s wrong? The Connecticut diocese advocating for not getting rid of the statute of limitations on child sex crimes since they’re bankrupt the church. Nevermind about the victims, nevermind about all the OTHER children raped by people other than priests.
"The letter says the bill, now pending in the legislature, would put "all Church institutions, including your parish, at risk," and warns that it could lead to bankruptcy, threaten the assets of parishes even without a history of abuse, and "would undermine the mission of the Catholic Church in Connecticut."
"The bottom line is that this is terrible public policy, discriminatory by its nature, and a huge threat to us all," says the letter, signed by Mansell, Bishop William E. Lori of the Bridgeport diocese, and Bishop Michael R. Cote of Norwich.
"We must stop this bill now," the letter says. The bishops ask parishioners to contact their representatives "TODAY!!!"